Art Quilting: Stitching Stories in Fabric (Tuition-Free, 5 Sessions)

Art Quilting: Stitching Stories in Fabric (Tuition-Free, 5 Sessions)

Adult Tuition-Free Class | Registration opens Tuesday, October 27, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

1/4/2027-2/8/2027
1:00 PM-4:00 PM EDT on Mon
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$40.00

Art Quilting: Stitching Stories in Fabric (Tuition-Free, 5 Sessions)

Adult Tuition-Free Class | Registration opens Tuesday, October 27, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

Turn memories, photographs, and meaningful materials into a one-of-a-kind work of art. In this creative, hands-on class, students will explore how fabric, stitching, photographs, and found objects can be combined to tell a personal story. Your subject might be a family member, a special place, an important event, or a moment you want to remember.

Working with fabric, embroidery thread, buttons, old jewelry, photographs, and other treasured materials, students will develop an original art quilt through guided design and stitching exercises. Photographs can be transferred to fabric by the instructor and incorporated into the work, along with words, appliqué, embroidery, and other embellishments.

The class focuses primarily on hand stitching and embroidery, though students may also incorporate a sewing machine. Some sewing or embroidery experience is helpful but not required. Students should plan to work on their quilt between class sessions as their piece develops.

 

What You Will Learn:

- How to develop a personal story or memory into a textile artwork

- How to plan and compose an art quilt

- How to layer and piece fabrics

- Hand quilting and embroidery techniques for adding texture and dimension

- How to incorporate photographs, appliqué, words, and found objects

- How to finish, bind, label, and add a sleeve to your quilt for display

Who This Class Is For:
Students interested in personal storytelling and building community through creative work, rather than focusing primarily on technical skill-building. Some sewing or embroidery experience is helpful but not required. Questions about whether this class is right for you? Email adulteducation@fleisher.org.

Please note: There is no class scheduled for 1/18 (MLK Day)

  • The following is a list of suggested materials. Please bring a few items to start the class with; the instructor will provide further guidance during the first session.

    - 3-5 photographs for your quilt (photographs will be transferred onto fabric and should fit within 8-1/2” x 11”)
    - Needles (chenille with large eye for embroidery and regular sewing)
    - Needle threader (optional)
    - Quilter Sewing Kit (scissors, straight pins, quilting pins or large safety pins, thread (various colors to complement fabric), thimble, seam ripper, pin cushion, needle threader, and a pin cushion
    - Pearl cotton or embroidery floss to complement fabrics
    - Fabric scraps from stash from previous projects (old clothing, etc.)
    - Several ¼ yard or fat quarters of themed fabrics (ex: fabrics with sewing machine, thread, needles, scissors for a seamstress)
    - 1-yard of fabric for backing (not needed for the first class)
    - Embellishments - lace, beads, buttons, ribbon, jewelry, found objects


    Sewing machines are welcome, but not required. You can bring your own or use one of Fleisher's during class.

Gloria Davis

Gloria Gammage Davis is a mixed-media artist who first recognized her artistic abilities in elementary school. She was inspired by carving a lamb from a bar of soap and by observing her seamstress aunts as they created clothing. As she made doll clothes alongside them, they shared sewing tips and techniques, nurturing what would become her first artistic skill. This early encouragement sparked a lifelong desire to explore a wide range of artistic techniques and ultimately led her to earn a BFA from Cheyney University.

During this time, Davis also studied at institutions such as Fleisher Art Memorial and Schuylkill Academy and trained with master artists. Art was—and continues to be—her therapy. As an educator, she encourages students to create work that inspires continued engagement long after class has ended.

Her story quilts, created with scrap fabrics, photographic images, found objects, and embroidery, have been published in We Are the Story, Black Pioneers, The Calling, and As Long As I Have Breath in My Body. Her work has been exhibited at the African American Museum in Detroit, Philadelphia City Hall, North Carolina City Hall, the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati, the Textile Center, the James Museum, the Colored Girls Museum, Moody Gallery, and other venues. She has participated in several recent solo and group exhibitions and has been featured by ABC News, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Germantown Courier, and Wolf Nation.

As a dedicated teaching artist, Davis has taught at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Johnson House, Wynnefield Residents Association, the Nile Swim Club, Germantown Friends School, Emelen Elementary School, Fleisher Art Memorial, and Peters Valley School of Craft.