Square by Square Community Quilt Workshop with Sharon Irving

General $40, Supporters $35

Program Description:

Join artist Sharon Irving to delve into the art of improvisational strip piecing. This workshop is part of the Square by Square Community Quilt of The Secret Codes.

Improvisational strip piecing, a technique with roots in the rich history of Kente cloth, takes center stage in this unique workshop. Unlike traditional quilting, improvisational strip piecing focuses on the dynamic interplay of fabric strips, echoing the vibrant and storied tradition of Kente cloth from West Africa. Participants will have the opportunity to craft their own individual quilt square using a variety of piecing techniques, paying homage to this timeless craft that has transcended generations.

As with our previous quilting and piecing workshops, this session welcomes participants of all skill levels and ages. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or a complete beginner, this workshop is designed to cater to everyone. No prior experience is necessary, making it the perfect opportunity for both beginners and experienced quilters to come together and explore the world of strip cloth quilting.

Participants have the option to contribute their finished squares to a larger community quilt that will grow throughout the workshop series. This collaborative project adds a sense of community and shared creativity to the experience, culminating in a beautiful and diverse quilt.

All materials needed for the workshop are provided; participants may bring their own sewing machines for a personalized experience, but hand-sewing is also encouraged.

For any questions or accessibility needs, please email Allie Davis at adavis@textilemuseum.ca

Artist Bio:

Sharon Irving is a textile designer, maker, researcher, curator and educator. Her academic research focuses on African Canadian Quilts and Material Culture. Sharon earned her Masters at the joint graduate program of the Smithsonian Institute Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum and Parsons (New York) with the thesis on African-Canadian Quilts of Southern Ontario. She has taught in textile and design departments at post-secondary and secondary institutions including Sheridan College and the Toronto District School Board.

Prior to her education career Sharon built a career as a professional fashion and textile designer, specializing in knitwear. As a designer for the fashion and film industries she has created garments and curated wardrobe for such retailers as Harry Rosen and productions as John Q, Fire and Fury: The Story of Marie-Joseph Angelique, and Second City’s Next Comedy Legend.

Sharon has curated quilt exhibitions including Art Gallery of Windsor: Stitching Freedom; and the Textile Museum of Canada: This is not a poem, This is a Summer Quilt. As a textile scholar and maker, Sharon investigates quilt making as a part of African heritage. Her work and research focus on the joy, beauty, and the artistic agency expressed by the material culture of the African diaspora. Sharon also is fascinated by the links between improvisational quilting and its musical counterpart—jazz.

Type: Program

Date: Feb 10, 2pm - 5pm