Creative Spark Instructor Spotlight: Timna Tarr

Timna Tarr has worked as a quilt shop clerk, sewing machine repair person, fabric designer, author, and now Creative Spark Instructor. She knows the sewing machine inside out — literally. Repairing sewing machines and longarm quilting are some of her many talents. If you're a minimalist, it's time to take the back seat; color and pattern play are Timna's forte. Her award-winning quilts have been seen in numerous exhibits, magazines, books, and The Quilt Show and Quilting Arts TV. She put together her first online class in 2020 and, to her delight, found her process and techniques translate beautifully to videos. Her goal is to encourage students to see their work in new ways.

Step inside her classroom...

Stitched Mosaic Quilting

Mosaic Quilts take inspiration from tile mosaics, with scraps of fabric that create a “tile” effect. The pieces are typically placed in a grid or design layout to represent a scene or subject. When tackling a complex design, Timna is never one to back down. Make a pictorial mosaic quilt by breaking down the process one square at a time. If you have ever seen Timna's animal quilts and wondered how it was done, look no further! Choose your photo and prepare it to be quilt-ified! From machine appliqué to color choice, you'll master the basic skills needed to create your own Stitched Mosaic Quilt. Timna has a gallery of finished quilts you can use to kickstart your creativity if you're short of inspiration.

O Happy Day Quilt

Circles give us a sense of harmony, wholeness, and confidence. It is a gentle, graceful shape that often represents nature, peace, and rejuvenation. Appliquéd circles are an easy way to add whimsy to your quilts. Timna demonstrates more than six ways to add appliquéd circles to your quilting repertoire. You'll learn the pros and cons of each technique and hopefully find a process that you love! Walk through Timna’s same process used to make her O Happy Day Quilt, from fabric selection to fabric placement. The workshop is beginner-friendly. Participants should have basic quilting skills such as knowledge of the 1/4" seam, how to use a hand needle and thread, and how to use a sewing machine.

Map Making with Fabrics

Art Quilter Timna Tarr shows you how to transform your favorite vacation spot, neighborhood, or hometown into a charming quilt. Choosing a location is only part of the process. Learn how to transfer and modify your image, and select details for your unique design. Mark your place in the world through quilts. Throughout the workshop, you will learn how to translate a paper map into a personal map quilt. Timna will show you several techniques she uses to make map quilts and walk you through adding fusible appliqué, prepared edge appliqué, and paper piecing. This workshop is best for intermediate or confident beginner quilters.

Strip Sandwiches Improv Quilting

Let’s talk creative blocks — we’ve all been there. Take it from Timna Tarr, an art quilter who found a cure in the form of Strip Sandwiches. Strip Sandwiches is so much more than just an improv quilt course. If you need a creative jump start or have ever wanted to try out an easy improv technique, this class is a great way to get started. Value and color placement in quilts is a significant component of the workshop. Timna demonstrates the basic skills needed to create your own sandwiches, a scrap, charm pack, and jelly roll-friendly technique.

Strung Along 

String quilts are simply quilts made with long fabric scraps. Pull together what you have on hand, choose fabrics that catch your eye, and have a unique design with beautiful color and texture. This forgiving technique can be tailored to quilts of all shapes and sizes. Your instructor, Timna Tarr, relies on her creative intuition and experienced quilty skillset to tell if she or her students are on the right track. Play with color without worrying about a strict pattern. This course allows students the creative freedom to experiment with all sorts of colors and textures found in their scrap piles while building on essential skills like layouts, piecing, and ergonomic practices. Timna demonstrates the basic skills to create your own string quilt and shares color placement tips and tricks. Each block is unique — just like you are. Let your scrap pile lead the way to charming blocks.

Find Timna's classroom on Creative Spark

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