Fiber Arts | Nevada Tribble and Susan Feller | All Levels | All-Day Class | Week 4 (July 27-31, 2026)
In this class, students will learn a variety of fiber art techniques, including improv quilting, rug hooking, and “thread painting” (a.k.a. free-motion quilting) with the end goal of creating their own textural art quilt. Students will spend the mornings each day learning and practicing new techniques with hands-on demonstrations. They will work on a series of small sample projects as a learning exercise.
Each afternoon students will have self-directed, instructor-supported time in the studio to work on designing and creating their own art quilts, with guidance from Nevada. It is recommended that students begin brainstorming a few potential ideas for their personal project ahead of time, so that they can maximize class time and jump right in. Nevada Tribble will be there to support students’ creative process, from design all the way to completion.
On day 2 of the class, guest master artist Susan Feller will join us to teach beginner rug hooking techniques, and tell us about the McDonald sisters of WV and their gorgeous artwork that inspired this class. Students will be able to incorporate rug-hooked fabric pieces into their art quilts to add texture and dimension to their artwork. Curious about the McDonald sisters? Here’s Susan’s research about them: https://artwools.com/mcdonalds/
By the end of the class, students will have learned several freeform machine-quilting and fiber art techniques in order to piece together a creative, self-designed masterpiece. Students will also learn finishing techniques to polish off the piece and get it ready to display.
A note for students about supplies:
A materials fee of $15 will be added to this class at registration, which will cover the rug-hooking supplies for Susan Feller’s workshop. The remainder of the supplies can be either brought from home or purchased directly from the Elkins Sewing Center when you arrive (we estimate these materials to cost approximately $45 from the Elkins Sewing Center).
The supplies that can be brought from home or purchased at the Sewing Center are:
– 6 fat quarters (ideally these would be fabrics that coordinate, including a couple of solids or semi-solids)
– 1 yd of 18” wide batting
– 1 spool of white thread
– 1 spool of 30wt thread for quilting (you can choose the color
– 1/2 yd of backing fabric
Optional additional items to bring:
– Any favorite fabric scraps or pieces from your stash that you want to work with
– Any colorful or decorative sewing thread you may want to use (just note that using thread that is too old tends to result in a lot of breakage and frustration)
– We will be using the classroom sewing machines at Elkins Sewing Center, but if you prefer to sew on your own machine you may bring it!
About the Instructors
Nevada Tribble is an interdisciplinary fiber artist who finds inspiration by seeking out patterns in nature. Her work is a sensory experience of color and texture, often featuring layered combinations of weaving, sewing, and handmade paper. Nevada is a local Elkins artist, and you can see her work in the Wilt Building, the Tygart Hotel, in art galleries throughout the region, and at craft fairs and festivals throughout the year. Find Nevada’s work online at nevadatribble.com, on Instagram @nevada.wv, or on Substack @nevadatribble.
Susan Feller is a writer, historian and artist based in West Virginia. Embroidery, applique’ and rug hooking; the traditional handicrafts she uses; are recognized today as Fine Craft in mixed media exhibits. Each utilitarian object or contemporary art piece created reflect her studies past and present of Appalachian regional material culture. Feller’s works have received national awards with two in the permanent collection of WV State Museum in Charleston. An advocate for the arts in Appalachia, she has served on the board of Tamarack Foundation for the Arts and regional review panels. She curates fiber art exhibits and mentors craftspeople on their professional business path. Author of Design Basics for Rug Hookers, and published articles about the McDonald sisters of Glenville, WV she is respected as an instructor and researcher. Follow @ArtWools see website https://susanfeller.com/
