DVD Review: Dynamic Quilt Design: Paint Meets Stitch and a Giveaway

Susan Brubaker Knapp recently introduced her 3rd DVD "Dynamic quilt Design: Paint Meets Stitch", which was released through Quilting Arts Workshop.  This new DVD focuses on a method of wholecloth painting, with beautiful threadplay embellishment.

There is a wealth of information and inspiration in this latest DVD, all presented in a very organized and easy to follow approach that will help you learn to create an amazing piece of art.   Insights shared will also carry over to various forms of quilting and fibre-arts, but I do believe you'll be amazed how much fun you can have combining Susan's painting and stitching techniques.

This DVD is 69 minutes long and organized into the following video chapters: Supplies & Tools, Preparation/Getting Ready, Color Theory/Mixing Colors, Painting Techniques, Adding Details and Texture with Stitch, and more.

Susan provides easy to follow instructions to help you turn your photos into realistic wholecloth painted quilts.  She starts off sharing information on how to select the right photo, how to trace the design elements, how to enlarge your drawing, print it out, transfer the lines onto the fabric, and more.

I enjoyed her insights on basic color theory, as well as mixing paint colors, shades and tints.  She also did an excellent job on how to to actually paint your design, where you can use shadows and highlights to create a realistic picture. 

The ultimate highlight of this DVD, was all the insights Susan provided on how to use thread stitching to add depth to your painting.  It was this step that made beautiful paintings on fabric become spectacular pieces of art, where they truly become alive.   It truly is amazing to see how stitching thread can make such a difference.

The concepts shared in this DVD are demonstrated with Susan's beautiful "Still Life With Cherries", but they clearly carry over to a broad spectrum of turning your photos into realistic wholecloth painted quilts.

I also found it inspirational where Susan shared various projects that she has previously made, using the techniques shared in this DVD.  They were all spectacular.

Even if you do not consider yourself an artist, I truly think you'll enjoy this DVD and have fun creating with insights shared in this DVD.  Susan does a great job sharing tips and inspiring, thus making this an excellent DVD for beginner (want-to-be) artists/quilters, for any quilter that wants to explore painting on fabric, as well as for those that have experience with painting on fabrics but want to expand their skills and/or teaching skills.


If you consider yourself a traditional quilter and want to broaden your skills, by learning new techniques, this is definitely a DVD that I recommend you check out.  I think you'll love it.

Kelly Jackson (I Have a Notion) introduced me to Susan's DVD "Master Machine Stitching - Thread Sketching Beyond the Basics", which is also another great DVD.





Places you can find Susan:
Facebook
Blue Moon River
Blog   

Did I mention a giveaway ? 

Susan was generous to offer a copy of her new DVD "Dynamic Quilt Design: Paint Meets Stitch" to a follower of SewCalGal.  All you need to do is leave a comment and let me know you are interested in winning a copy of Susan's new DVD. 

One lucky winner will randomly be selected on Friday, November 25th.  I'll update this post and send out an email notice to the winner. Thus, be sure I have a way to contact you via email.

Want an extra entry?  Go "like" Susan on Facebook and leave an extra comment to let me know you did.


And don't forget to check out the 2012 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge.  It will be like a BOM for those wanting to learn and/or improve their FMQ skills.  Susan is one of the 12 FMQ Experts for this event too.


UPDATE: 
The winner of this giveaway is Kim (Chatterbox Quilts).  Congratulations to Kim!