Carl Brown

Saturday 20 March 2027

4.00pm - 7.00pm (GMT)

Online Interactive Workshop

Curve Taming!

Since first teaching with us online in 2024 (and last year in person at our 2025 Rutland Hall Retreat), Carl Brown has been busy scooping up awards at prestigious quilt shows, displaying his beautiful pieces in galleries and festivals across the world, (including his stunning piece ' I Rise' inspired by Maya Angelou's poem 'Still, I rise' - a poem about strength and rising above hardship and injustice injustice. It featured in the Soul Stories: Threats of Existence exhibition at the Festival Of Quilts this summer) and is fast becoming an in-demand fibre artist. We are absolutely delighted Carl is continuing to visit us here at CraftyMonkies and bringing us new classes, like this one: Curve Taming! Here's Carl to tell you more!...

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Introduction by Carl:-

Hi, I'm Carl Brown a fiber artist and experienced teacher and I like to think I bring a unique perspective to improvisational quiltmaking. I'm a self-taught quilter, and have spent the past seven years developing an intuitive approach to curved piecing and intricate design. My work explores movement, shape, colour, and the unexpected possibilities that emerge when traditional quilting techniques meet improvisation. As an instructor, I break complex processes into approachable steps, encouraging you, my students to experiment while building confidence in your own creative voice. My goal is simple: to help you discover that curves can be far more flexible, expressive, and fun than you ever imagined!

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What you will learn on this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Take your curved piecing beyond the basics and discover how simple curves can become intricate, dynamic compositions. Carl will teach you an easy and unusual approach to curve piecing that allows you to create everything from gentle, simple curves to complex, multi-dimensional forms. You’ll learn how to manipulate curves with confidence while using improvisational techniques to develop unexpected shapes and relationships. The process gives you the freedom to experiment without being confined by traditional templates or rigid patterns. Come ready to play, explore, and discover just how far you can take the curve!

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Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Beginner to intermediate.

 

Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​

• A sewing machine that sews a straight stitch, preferably with a knee lift (not mandatory).

• A new sewing needle that matches the thread you plan to use.

• Thread for sewing - Carl's favourite is 50 wt Aurifil Dove Grey (2600) but any thread that the student has familiarisation with will do.

• A rotary cutter - Carl's favorite is a 60” with safety but 45” will do just as well. And a newly inserted blade.

• A pair of sewing scissors, preferably ones only used prior for cutting fabric

• Some form of design board that you can stick our created Improv pieces too - but no worries as an 18” by 18” piece of leftover batting or flannel will work nicely.

• A pencil (with white and regular lead - Sewline is Carl's favourite) or a water-based fabric pen.

• An iron and misting bottle. I find a mini iron with less size and weight useful - to prevent the curves from stretching (but not necessary).

 

Fabric requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Any fabric will do, fat quarters, or yardage (1/2 yard). Carl mostly uses solid colours as that is part of the modern definition. He especially likes ombre fabrics such as those by Jennifer Sampou (but this isn’t necessary for this class). You might want to come with one family colour, like say lime and then also brings other green colours and maybe yellow, plus some white and black colours as well. Unless you are going for that effect, avoid 'holiday' colours like Halloween (orange, black, white) or Christmas (red, green, and white) unless you are going for that aesthetic!

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Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​

See Material Requirements listing above to include a sewing machine that does a simple straight stitch, and knowledge of how to use that machine. If the sewing machine has a knee lift, that is great, as it helps with the curve sewing.

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Pattern Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-

None - we're all about improv on this one!

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Tickets for this Online Interactive Workshop (via the Zoom platform) will be limited and allocated on a first-come/first-served basis! Any free pattern and other information, relevant to this course will be forwarded to you after booking and approximately 5 days before the course date.

The ticket price of £40.00 is based on ONE person attending this crafting class.

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This CraftyMonkies online interactive workshop is being broadcast from the United Kingdom and the class time given is based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). We advise you check via Google Search (or similar) to see corresponding start-time in YOUR location! Here's a great world time zone reference:-

https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/

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Ordering MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT Online For Any Class/Workshop!

Please ensure you book your place & order any materials/fabrics/equipment online in plenty of time ahead of course dates.

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Enjoy This Class/Workshop Again on YouTube

A link to a recording of this workshop will be sent to all who buy a live ticket for the Zoom broadcast approximately 5 working days after the event; the video will be available to view for 60 days from the video release date.