Paper Quilts Workshop

by Jessica Burko of Reclaimed To You

Pictured above: "Cabin Fever" paper quilt by Jessica Burko made from found paper, vintage photographs, photocopies, and thread.

This Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27, I'll be teaching my first arts workshop at The Eliot School in Jamaica Plain. The workshop is all about Paper Quilts and during the two-day session I'll share examples of stitched paper artwork, demonstrate my techniques of creating paper quilts, and guide workshop participants as they design and create their own paper collages with thread and sewing machines.

Pictured above: supplies for making paper quilts.

I began making paper quilts about two years ago after having various positive experiences stitching paper through bookbinding, and working with paper sewing patterns as collage material. Immediately I felt a visceral satisfaction with this type of collage; each piece was complete without ironing and hemming (tasks that always slowed down my creative juices when making fabric quilts), and I loved the permanence of the sewn holes through the paper and the added detail of the stitches themselves.

Once I became pregnant with my son in January 2009 I began a series of paper quilts in earnest so that I could continue making my work without employing art mediums that have toxic properties. I enjoyed the process of creating the quilts so much that I've continued making them, and have challenged myself to use up all of the mounds of paper collage materials in my studio before beginning another type of project. So far so good! I've been making quilts in a wide range of sizes and formats and have been able to explore new themes in the process.

If you are interested in joining me at The Eliot School this weekend you can get all the workshop information and register on line by clicking HERE.

Whatever you do this summer I hope you take some time to make some art!

Pictured above: "Oh Father" paper quilt made from an original photograph, found paper, photocopies and thread.