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Serendipity and the Art of the Quilt

Serendipity and the Art of the Quilt

Creating with Brenda Gael Smith

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Workshop Spotlight: Stacks of Improvisation

27 May 2014 Filed Under: Workshop Spotlight Leave a Comment

Working with fabric stacks is a powerful method of creating improvisational units involving strategic planning and embracing an element of serendipity. I share this technique in my workshop Stacks of Improvisation:

Improvise with fabric stacks, freehand cutting and pinless curved piecing. Imagine the possibilities!  These colour and design exercises will set you on the path of personal, creative self-expression in art quilts and can be translated to larger works.

You can see some of the classwork in the Serendipity Student Gallery.  I will next be teaching this class at:

  • 15 June:  Top Ryde, Hobbysew, Sydney
  • 19 September: Carrefour European du Patchwork at Val d’Argent, France

Contact the event organisers to reserve your place.  (If you can’t make one of my classes, you might like to purchase my instructional Modern Quilts  DVD – Improvising Using Stacks of Solids – available to Australian residents only.)

Stacks of Improvisation

Workshop Spotlight is series of posts highlighting workshops from my portfolio of project-based and technique-driven patchwork and quilting classes. My focus is on striking designs and the effective use of colour so as to promote fun and encourage the creative confidence of my students. I am available to teach at shops or private venues on the Central Coast, in the greater Sydney metropolitan area and beyond. I love to travel!

Download the Serendipity Patchwork & Quilting Workshops Brochure for more information about my workshops.

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Brenda Gael Smith
brenda@serendipitypatchwork.com.au

PO Box 131, Avoca Beach
NSW 2251 Australia

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This year (2026) marks the 20th anniversary of the
This year (2026) marks the 20th anniversary of the Australasian Quilt Convention. The entrance features a display of the brochure covers over the years and it was fun to identify 3 covers that include snippets of exhibits that I was involved with.

⭐️ 2009 was my first AQC. I was a tutor and my contribution to the “teach me” exhibit was “Grass” that you can see in the lower right corner.

⭐️ in 2013, the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Project shared the Colourplay series which included a piece by @studioconway highlighting the plight of refugees in drought (see centre left)

⭐️ in 2020 the chronology was disrupted by the Covid pandemic but not before the brochure was published with “The Fuchsia’s Looking Bright m” by @darlingdi from @vision2020textiles who poseda poignant question: Will my optimistic dream of a brighter future turn out to be 2020 vision, or just a fun and fabulous fabric fusion of my favourite colours?

Congratulations to @craft.events_  on the 20th Anniversary 🤩


I am driven to abstraction. Abstraction is a persi
I am driven to abstraction. Abstraction is a persistent and insistent force in my creative practice. Working improvisationally, I capture the essence of my subjects to impart a sense of wonder of the natural world and a deep affinity to place. 

As part of the Rajah Award that I received last year, I will be sharing a selection of my textile paintings in a special exhibit at the Australasian Quilt Convention in  Melbourne presented by @craft.events_ 

Textile enthusiasts from across Australia and overseas gather at this exciting event. If you see me at AQC, please do say hello. I am looking forward to seeing everyone😍

#australasianquiltconvention  #rajahaward  #brendagaelsmithart #australasianquiltconvention2026