Sign on for a live artist-led tutorial on experimenting with craft and design processes using recycled materials found at home. During this fun and informal workshop, artist and MAD Artist Studios alum Emily Oliveira will guide participants in applying basic quilting techniques to make a small quilting block. 

MAD’s Digital Drop-Ins are for participants of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Following the demonstration, participants will have time to independently work on their project and share with “neighbors” in the virtual class.

All Digital Drop-Ins will be 45 minutes. Registrants will receive an email 24 hours in advance of the program with instructions for accessing the workshop on Zoom.

Suggested materials

• 1 piece of fabric (cut into a square approximately 5 in. x 5 in. or larger) to use as the base of your quilt block 
• Additional fabric scraps of any size(cut up old clothes, bed sheets, etc.) to use for the piecing or appliqué  
• Needle (younger participants can use a glue stick instead) 
• Thread (and/or embroidery floss, thin yarn, etc.)
• Scissors
• 2-3 pieces of scrap paper and/or scrap cardboard (the thin cardboard from Kleenex or cereal boxes works very well)
• Pencil
• Marker
• Glue stick 

Note: almost any fabric from around your home can work for this project as long as you can comfortably sew through it. Cotton from bed sheets, curtains, and pillowcases works especially well for the base and backing of the quilt block, but feel free to cut up old clothing, blankets, towels, anything you have lying around. Think about the colors and the patterns of the fabrics you choose the same way you’d think about choosing paints or crayons for a painting or drawing! 

About the artist

Emily Oliveira is an interdisciplinary artist and performer based in Flatbush, Brooklyn.  She attended the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. She has received awards, residencies, and fellowships from organizations including Yaddo, BRIC, AIR Gallery, Ars Nova, Wave Hill, and the Textile Arts Center. Her work uses textiles, video, installation, music, and performance to explore the intersections of labor, and queer futurity.