Category Archives: chicago school of fusing

Fusing Rules and a Winner!

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The Chicago School of Fusing Rowenta Sports Arena

Be Tacky!

One of the fusing rules I repeat often in my new online class, Fused Art Quilts: Tiny Homes, is fuse tacking. What’s that, you ask?

Fuse tacking is adding just a small amount of heat from the iron for a short amount of time to fused fabrics together. Fusible web is a heat activated glue and too much heat for too long of a time burns the glue into the fabric. Over fused fabric becomes stiff, it’s difficult to stitch and may fall off the design.

So be tacky! Fuse tack your fabric shapes into place when designing your composition.

You can learn even more about creating art quilts by joining my online class on Creative Spark, Fused Art Quilts: Tiny Homes.

And be sure to stay tuned for giveaways as I celebrate the opening of my new class. The winner of our first giveaway, this coveted T-shirt, is….. Liz K.

Congratulations Liz. Press on!

New Class, New Giveaway!

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Back to School Time!

Autumn always makes me nostalgic for the first day of school. The change in the weather signals that it’s time to gather your school supplies, learn new skills, and reunite with friends.


Would you like to return to school too? Then why not join my new online class on Creative Spark, Fused Art Quilts: Tiny Homes.

Tiny Homes #3 by Laura Wasilowski

I’ve taught Tiny Homes for over 20 years. And in each and every class my students create amazing artwork. Artwork that is unique to them.

But, as this is an online class, you’ll receive a lot more information. There is time to explore design options, demonstrate fusing techniques, and discuss embellishing with hand embroidery. And you can watch the steps over and over again!

Win a T-shirt!

One of your first lessons in Tiny Homes is to go over the Rules of Fusing from the Chicago School of Fusing, where I am Dean of Corrections.

We discuss fusible web, how to fuse fabric, what not to do, and tips on creating fast, fearless artwork with fused fabrics.

And in celebration of the Chicago School of Fusing and Tiny Homes, I’m giving away a rare and collectible T-shirt (size XL) printed with the coveted Pressing Matters at the Chicago School of Fusing logo.

You may be the lucky winner if you leave a comment on today’s blog post. The giveaway for the T-shirt will be closed on Monday, September 13. I’ll announce the winner later in the week.

Teaching Myself a Lesson

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Housing Department #29 by Laura Wasilowski

Housing Department #29 was made for an online class I’m teaching at Quilter’s Affair this week. The filming for the class took place months ago and I’m now reviewing the final videos that the students will see.

And in seeing the videos again, I’ve taught myself a lesson. What have I learned?

  • I have learned that I give my students a lot more information in an online class than if I present the course in person.
  • Students get a close-up view of the construction process. They don’t have to squint from the back row of the classroom to see the examples.
  • They can rewind and see a lesson over and over again rather than hear directions once and be expected to execute a step.
  • They can work at their own pace and not feel rushed by their neighbors’ progress or the clock on the wall.
  • Students have access to their own tools and work in their own space.
  • I can show multiple examples of how to make a design describing the construction in more detail.
  • And I can show the entire process of adding hand embroidery to a design rather than just giving a quick description of stitching a fused quilt at the end of class.

I’m really happy that I made these online classes for my Quilter’s Affair students. It’s a good feeling knowing that I’ve given my all in preparing for the classes.