Design From Photo to Imagination
From Photos to Imagination
Creating Bold Graphic Landscape Quilts
In this multi-day workshop, you’ll learn how to transform your own photographs into bold, graphic landscape quilts using approachable design techniques and simplified construction methods—without needing advanced drawing skills or perfect precision.
In this class you will learn how to:
Combine multiple reference photos into one strong landscape composition
Simplify complex images into bold graphic shapes
Use tracing techniques with clear sheet protectors or tracing paper
Explore digital design options using the iPad app Procreate
Design an original quilt pattern from your own photographs
Understand value, color, and fabric selection for greater visual impact
Use Turned Edge Machine Piecing techniques
Create skies and blended areas using Fussy Piecing methods
Incorporate lettering into quilts using printing, stenciling, or appliqué techniques
Students will:
Construct a simple rock study to practice the techniques
Enlarge and trace their finished design onto Floriani Stitch and Wash Fusible stabilizer (available from Vicki)
Begin creating their own original landscape quilt during class
Learn a construction method where the pieces are sewn directly to each other, rather than appliquéd, while the stabilizer remains inside the finished quilt
Included Bonus:
A pre-class Zoom session with Vicki to help students select photos that will work best for these techniques
Students interested in learning Procreate before class can explore Vicki’s online course available through C&T Publishing
Perfect for students who:
Want to turn personal photographs into original art quilts
Feel intimidated by the design process
Love landscape imagery and expressive fabric choices
Enjoy sewing rather than fused applique
No perfect points or advanced drawing skills required—just your photos, your imagination, and a willingness to experiment creatively with fabric .
For hiring info click here. This is a 3 - 5 day in-person class.
See some student work here.
Reviews
Great instructor and instruction. I learned a lot and am looking forward to using this process in more projects.
Very informative class with excellent examples of technique presented. Good discussions and follow up with other available resources as well.
I learned a new way of seeing nature in this class. On the drive home, I observed the sky and looked for interesting shapes in the landscape.
This class was deep in technique and color theory. The instructor gave helpful advice. I’d take this class again!
Vicki’s class was full of great techniques which allow you to create your own original national park quilt. Her instructions are clear and precise and her energy is contagious. I highly recommend her class. Wendy Knight
Class was great. I really appreciated the supportive instruction and constructive criticism. I appreciated working through the entire process in a smaller, manageable format. I also appreciated the explanations, from an artistic perspective, of what works, what doesn't work so well and why. I know this will help me improve my own art. Susan Hilsenbeck
Vicki is very enthusiastic about quilting and teaching. I learned a lot and hope to use the sky technique often in my quilts
I highly recommend this class as very well taught by Vicki. Her instructions are clear and well illustrated in the class demos. By making a small sample, we are able to practice all aspects of the project and able to use it as a reference , after class . Jan Soules
Fun techniques that you can use for much more than landscapes. Taught me to look at large spaces rather than focus on too much detail, which is what landscapes are all about.
Vicki Conley's class was a wonderful experience! She has simplified a process to produce amazing results for even a novice! I am excited to apply these techniques to a new project soon. Thank you, Vicki, for your thoroughness in working with each of us to get such success in our projects.
This class was exceptionally valuable in that it included several different quilting techniques including applipiecing, paper piecing and top stitching the quilt top. In addition, Vicky Conley has an eye for color, composition, and perspective that was tremendously helpful for someone new to landscape quilting. I highly recommend this class or any other that Vicki teaches.
Vicki clearly teaches her method step by step using a small sample, before her students attempt a large composition. This gave me confidence and Vicki patiently answered any of our questions as we progressed. I came out of Vickie‘s class with genuine excitement about my project. Future projects are buzzing in my mind already because the results from her technique give such unique imagery. Marion Emerson at Empty Spool Seminar ’23
If you can trace it, you can make it - perfectly. Go for as much detail as you like, or abstract your image, or whatever you like; this method will work!