Below are samples of Gunnel's workshops:

“MAKE YOUR MARK” (2 - 3  Days)

Have you always yearned to create luscious, original fabrics? In this workshop students will use Colour Vie fabric pigments to paint, sponge, stamp and spray their way into the inspiring  land of fabulous cloth. Explore visual texture while brushing, rag rolling, sponging and rubbing. Learn how to use Gunnel's unique techniques of "taking away" and "scraping" and create a selection of stunning fabrics.

- No previous experience necessary

"CREATING LAYERED TEXTURES AND PATTERNS WITH PIGMENTS"

(4 - 5 Days)

On the first day of this workshop students will build a surface structure for fabrics from scratch.  Using tools, processes and colour combinations, the ‘ground cloth’ will be prepared. Students are encouraged to experiment with the layering of colors, textures and patterns that are so easily and dramatically achieved with the use of Colour Vie textile pigments - a direct and surprisingly simple way of creating multilayered fabrics. Textile pigments allow colour mixing, layering, pulling-back colour, rubbing, mark-making and using "found objects" to create unique effects. Learn how to design on the fly directly on the fabric.

Techniques include: pleating and dyeing the fabric, stenciling, stamping, painting, spraying and embellishing with gold pigments and metallic foil. The result: exclusive fabrics with depth and interest.

- No previous experience necessary

"THE POWER OF PATTERN" (1 - 2 Days)

In this workshop students will discover a thousand different paths to the same goal: gorgeous cloth. Learn to see patterns in everyday objects and to turn them into exquisite fabrics. Students will create stamps  with their own imagery and explore positive/negative design aspects while printing a never-ending variety of repeating patterns in their personal colour schemes. Thinking of unique gifts? The stamps can be used to make fabulous T-shirts, cushion covers, bags, tea-towels, you name it!

- No previous experience necessary

"COLOUR AND TEXTURE FOR QUILTERS" (1 - 2 Days)

Unleash Your Creativity! In this workshop students will learn how to mix their own personal colour combinations in order to create useful and unusual textures. Students will experiment with the application of pigments to cloth by using brushes, foam applicators and scrapers. They will build a surface structure for fabrics from scratch. While using a variety of everyday implements and found objects (forks, potato mashers, pot scrubbers, bottle caps, you name it) they will create textured layers by removing color, pulling and manipulating the pigments while they are still wet on the fabric. Just enjoy!

- No previous experience necessary

"GLORIOUS COLOUR: FAT QUARTERS FOR QUILTERS" (2 - 4 Days)

What could be more fun than a trip to a new fabric store? Making your very own fabric! In this workshop students will learn how to mix a full array of colours from the three primary colours enabling the use of any imaginable colour combinations to create brilliant or subtle cloth. Imagine fabrics that look like an abstract flower garden or subtle sky, landscapes and seascapes. Produce soft imagery with depth and interest by spraying, wet-on-wet painting and pigment dyeing. The end product is a selection of personal exquisite fabrics.

- No previous experience necessary.

"SCREEN PRINTING ON FABRIC 101" (1 Day)

This introductory workshop is for anyone interested in home decorating, quilting and/or fashion. If you want a specific colour combination and graphic imagery on your fabric, then this system of printing is for you. Learn how to create simple motifs as well as fabrics with repeating imagery.

*Please note: This workshop has some special equipment requirements

"SCREEN PRINTING ON FABRIC 201" (2 - 5 Days or more)

Do you want to print fabrics with fine or detailed imagery? Stir up those artistic juices and learn screen printing with a twist! Students will learn how to  mix and match their very own colour palette using environmentally friendly Colour Vie fabric pigments. Learn how to make a silk screen and a variety of techniques for creating artwork. Make experimental screens as well as a permanent photo emulsion screen. Your silk screen can then be washed and reused, so that you can experience printing countless colour combinations with your own imagery.

- Prerequisite: Screen Printing on Fabric 101 or equivalent.

*Please note: T his workshop has some special equipment requirements

"Leaf and Nature Prints" (1 Day)

Ever wanted to bring your garden indoors? Now you can! Learn how to create prints from actual leaves, plants, vegetables and fruit. 'Grow' them on  your cloth in splendid colour. Print pillow cases, napkins, scarves, clothing, you name it. Also: learn how to create stunning backgrounds for your floral creations.

- Bring some leaves with good veins.

1. -No previous experience necessary

“ALL THAT GLITTERS” (1 Day)

Gold and Silver - the pigments shine and glitter. Learn how to use gold and silver metallic pigments and to tint them to create truly luxurious fabrics.

Metallic foil has a smooth glimmering rich quality which produces stunning effects on fabric. Add eye-catching visual depth and contrast by embellishing   fabrics with metallic foil using easy fool-proof techniques.

1. -Bring a selection of cotton, linen, silk or fabric blends in any colour to jazz up with metallics. Black or dark fabrics are most dramatic.
   

- No previous experience necessary.

"THE MAGIC OF MONOPRINTS" (1 Day)

Monoprinting is a technique in which pigments are applied to a sheet of vinyl, glass or plastic. A pattern is created using a variety of tools. While the pigment is still wet, the fabric is placed on top of the vinyl to create a unique design. While experimenting with colour, texture and pattern you will learn single and double plate monoprinting as well as resist and whole cloth monoprinting.

“Irresistible Resists” (3 - 5 Days)

Are you ready for a fabric adventure? Experiment with ingredients from the kitchen, such as potato starch, to create a wide range of patterns and texture on fabric - both abstract and representational. Students will learn in-depth techniques for tied, clamped and pole wrap resists as well as how to use soy wax and glue to create gorgeous fabrics with exquisite colour and complexity. Learn how to mix pigment colours as well as a variety of  techniques for hand painting/dyeing and creating stamps and stencils to create one-of-a-kind resist printed fabrics. Truly irresistible!

1. •“MAKE YOUR MARK” (2 - 3  Days)
   

2. •"CREATING LAYERED TEXTURES AND PATTERNS WITH PIGMENTS"
   

3. •(4 - 5 Days)
   

4. •"THE POWER OF PATTERN" (1 - 2 Days)
   

5. •"COLOUR AND TEXTURE FOR QUILTERS" (1 - 2 Days)
   

6. •"GLORIOUS COLOUR: FAT QUARTERS FOR QUILTERS" (2 - 4 Days)
   

7. •"SCREEN PRINTING ON FABRIC 101" (1 Day)
   

8. •"SCREEN PRINTING ON FABRIC 201" (2 - 5 Days or more)
   

9. •"Leaf and Nature Prints" (1 Day)
   

10. •“ALL THAT GLITTERS” (1 Day)
    

11. •"THE MAGIC OF MONOPRINTS" (1 Day)
    

12. •“Irresistible Resists” (3 - 5 Days)
    

Each workshop has a supply list for students.

Lectures by Gunnel Hag:

"DYEING TO PRINT" (1 hour)

This power point lecture is an introduction to the magic of colour and pattern in printed and dyed fabrics from around the world. Gunnel compares historical dyed and printed fabrics with contemporary fabrics with a view to understanding the techniques used in producing these exquisite textiles and to get a glimpse of where today's patterns and colours originate -how they were created and are still being produced to this day. Gunnel also brings actual fabric samples.

*This lecture is also available as a Virtual Live Lecture via Zoom! $425.

(Please contact Gunnel for more information)

Click image at right

for full view of fabric

"PRINTED AND DYED FABRICS - A JOURNEY OF BEAUTY" (1 - 1.5 hours)

This power point lecture is an introduction to the magic of colour and pattern in printed and dyed fabrics from around the world as well as hand printed and painted fabrics that you can create yourselves and incorporate into your quilts. As Gunnel takes you on a visual textile trip, you will experience not only the beauty of printed fabrics, but also the techniques used in producing these exquisite textiles. Gunnel also brings actual fabric for you to get close up and personal with. Sit back, get inspired and just enjoy!

*This lecture is also available as a Virtual Live Lecture via Zoom! $425.

(Please contact Gunnel for more information)

"HOW TO USE YOUR POTATO MASHER" (45 min. - 1 hour)
Gunnel explains how you can print using "found objects" from A (for Apple) to Z. While screen printing was her first and enduring love, she loves using ordinary objects to create patterns. So far she must have a collection of 30 plus different potato mashers, with which she can create an infinite variety of patterns and textures. She does this by manipulating and pulling back the wet pigments on the fabric surface. No textured thing is safe from experimenting!
The sole of a pair of winter boots, a golf ball, hair curlers, irons, credit cards - and of course potato mashers. Follow along and learn how these everyday objects can become the basis for colourful fabrics and quilts!

*This lecture is also available as a Virtual Live Lecture via Zoom! $425.

Please contact Gunnel to book a live virtual lecture for your guild or conference, and to check for available dates.

416-532-7435 
Email: colorvie@istar.ca

“PAINLESS MARBLING” (1/2 to 1 Day)

If you ever wanted to create stunning marbled fabrics, this technique for marbling is super easy. No muss, no fuss - the end results are gorgeous fabrics that you can use for quilts, cards, you name it! You will end up taking home a beautiful collection of hand printed fabrics!

Special Engagements and Events

Are you, your school, organization or guild planning a conference, workshop or other event? Do you need a speaker or workshop leader?

Gunnel Hag is available for speaking engagements on a wide variety of textile design topics to groups internationally. She is an enthusiastic, innovative and creative teacher, who offers unique inspirational workshops and lectures.

Gunnel also offers hands-on workshops at your own facility, or at the Colour Vie Studio, and can tailor-make them to fit the needs of your organization. Fees vary depending on travel and subject matter. Please contact her for further details and to book your workshop.

416-532-7435 (local) or
1-877-425-8379 (toll free) or
Email: colorvie@istar.ca