SERENDIPITOUS FABRIC COLLAGE IN ITALY with Susan Carlson

Bel Sole (Beautiful Sun)

During our time together in Italy, we will let serendipity step in and “cut loose” with a Bel Sole (Beautiful Sun) collage portrait —that could also be interpreted as a Bella Luna (Beautiful Moon).

In addition to lessons in creating facial features, we will focus on developing the rounded form of our subject—understanding how to create the illusion of form and depth in fabric collage. Each student will be working with a varied fabric palette, so each sun or moon will develop their own personality as the week progresses. Much like a painting emerges from a canvas, our images will seemingly emerge from our foundation designs as we layer dabs of fabric.

The classroom goal of the week is to “let go and play” with fabric while learning the basics of portraiture. All aspects of the fabric collage process will be discussed, with class time focused on the fabric collage piecing technique. Quilting will be completed at home (no machines required for class).

The overall goal of our week together in the beautiful Tuscan countryside is to thoroughly enjoy the collage process while in the company of other travel-loving fabric enthusiasts.

ABOUT Susan Carlson

For more than three decades Susan Carlson has been creating eye-opening and award-winning fabric collage quilts. For most of that time she has also been teaching others her collage technique through classes, her two books, Free-Style Quilts and Serendipity Quilts, and her Online Fabric Collage Master Class. She has had exhibits of her collection “Specimens” at the International Quilt Festival-Houston, American Quilt Society-Paducah, the New England Quilt Museum, and now at the National Quilt Museum. Over her career, both as a teacher and artist Susan has helped to push the art quilt movement forward. She teaches nationally, internationally, and online.

Susan feels that rather than teaching simply how to accomplish a particular technique, her job is to teach students to see, truly see. To coach them in how to look at whatever they are creating and ignore what they assume something looks like and to really examine it. To recognize an eye for the shape it really is, to truly understand the ins and outs of a nose—the little details that can make all the difference when interpreting a subject into a fabric collage.

Working with fabric was a love inherited from her mom Meta, an accomplished dressmaker and seamstress. Susan grew up with trips to fabric stores—her hands busy fondling fabric and her eyes drinking in their patterns and colors. Susan’s mom aged into a love of the textural quality of fabrics and fibers of all kinds and further influenced Susan in adding lace and other found fabrics into her more recent work.

“There are No Limits” and “More is Better!” are themes that runs through Susan’s books, and how she encourages others in their own fabric collage journeys—keep going, keep adding layers, keeping defining features. “Rich: that’s the word. I want my students to make their pieces rich. Not flat. Full of interest. Not bland. There’s enough bland stuff in the world. No need to add to it.”

Susan lives along the coast of Maine in the upper right-hand-corner of the USA—with her husband Tom, pups Kali and Felix, and her Djinni Cat who’s job it is to personally inspect all fabric Susan places on her worktable, to rearrange collages by pulling out pins, and to photo-bomb as many in-progress photos and Zoom classes as possible. For more information on Susan, her blog posts, and her (rich, colorful, textural, glittery, not bland) fabric collage work visit susancarlson.com.

SERENDIPITOUS Fabric Collage

Our adventure begins in the classroom as we contemplate and begin our celestial portraits. We’ll approach facial features one-at-a-time—pinning and gluing as we go—I will help each student proceed at their own pace and at their own ability level.

Saffron production has been a tradition in this area since medieval times, so early in the the week, we will visit our friend, Alessandro’s, saffron “house” where he’ll teach you about the incredible uses of saffron over the centuries. Afterwards, you’ll use saffron to dye your own fabric into a beautiful range of yellow coloration—perfect for the rich golden yellow of the sun. Using these vibrant, saffron-dyed fabrics in your collage is a special addition to this class.

MEMENTOES and Ephemera

In between classroom work times, we’ll take an excursion into the Tuscan countryside, and the Renaissance hill town of Pienza, keeping our eyes and minds open for special additions that will add that sense of place to our work. I imagine handmade textiles or lace, ribbons or trims, charms or other mementoes, maybe even a beautiful scarf that could make a lovely background for our subjects.

As the week goes on, we’ll discuss how to move forward on our fanciful solar portraits—considering where and how to add more details using sheer fabrics, found lace or other materials, or whatever speaks to us. These additions will add very special and personal memories of our week of Serendipitous Fabric Collage in Italy.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Sunday, October 19: Arrival

• Highlights: Arrival, village walking tour, introduction with Susan
• Dinner

Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, our private drivers will transport you to the Italian countryside, and your boutique hotel accommodations in the unspoiled village of Città della Pieve. After check in, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of the village with host, Pamela Haack, followed by a workshop overview with Susan in our roomy workshop space. Afterwards it’s time to enjoy a welcome aperitivo, followed by a delectable dinner prepared by Chef Vito. 

DAY 2 – Monday, October 20: Saffron Day! 

• Highlights: Saffron lesson with Alessandro, saffron fabric dyeing
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, you’ll join Susan in the workshop studio space as you begin planning your Bel Sole or Bella Luna collage portrait. In late morning we make our way to our friend and saffron expert, Alessandro’s, saffron shop for a special lesson on the uses of this incredible spice, followed by a light lunch and saffron tasting prepared by Alessandro himself. 

In the afternoon, it’s back to the studio with Susan for a delightful afternoon of dyeing fabric with saffron – a centuries-old tradition in Città della Pieve. With the assistance of one of Alessandro’s team, you’ll learn to create different shades of light yellow to golden yellow using different pieces of fabric. Afterwards you’ll hang your fabric to dry. This evening we’ll dine at our friend, Gianluca’s, inviting trattoria.

DAY 3 – Tuesday, October 21: Pienza

• Highlights: Excursion to Pienza, illuminated manuscripts, pizza night
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, our private drivers will transport you to the beautiful Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany, and the charming Renaissance hill town of Pienza. Here you’ll take a tour of the Diocesan Museum for a peek at an astounding collection of 15th century illuminated manuscripts. Afterwards you’ll have an opportunity to explore Pienza on your own, shop for ephemera and to enjoy lunch at any one of its inviting cafes, before we gather together to head back to Città della Pieve. 

This afternoon after a short break, you’ll head back to the studio with Susan as you continue your collage portrait with her expert lessons and guidance. This evening you’ll enjoy authentic Italian pizza at a local wood-fired pizzeria. 

DAY 4 – Wednesday, October 22: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Studio, cantucci lesson with local chef
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’re off to the workshop studio space with Susan for a full morning session as you learn her amazing techniques, and incorporate your saffron-dyed fabric and gathered ephemera into your Bel Sole or Bella Luna collage. Lunch today will be at a nearby cafe.

This afternoon, after a break to relax and recharge, it’s back to the studio with Susan. In late afternoon, we’ll walk to our friend, Cristian’s, bistrot for an oh-so-fun lesson on making cantucci (a local type of biscotti), followed by a tour of his underground wine cantina. Afterwards you’ll enjoy aperitivo, followed by dinner featured Cristian’s delectable saffron risotto.

DAY 5 – Thursday, October 23: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Renaissance art and churches walking tour, gallery show, farewell dinner
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we’re off for a tour of some of the town’s churches that feature incredible medieval and Renaissance works of art. Here you’ll also see the use of saffron in painting! Afterwards you’ll make your way back to the studio with Susan for a full morning of working on your collage portrait. 

After lunch on your own, and some time to rest, relax or maybe shop, you’ll gather with Susan for a final afternoon session, followed by a gallery show of the classes artwork. This evening you’ll enjoy aperitivo at a private home, followed by a delicious farewell dinner prepared by Chef Vito. 

DAY 6 – Friday, October 24: Departure

Early morning departure to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

VENUE Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve. 

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WHAT’S Included…

• 5 nights at Boutique Hotel Vannucci in Città della Pieve
• Group transportation by private transportation service to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure dates. 
• Private transportation service to/from all towns or sites included in the itinerary
• Daily group and individual instruction with Susan Carlson
• Pre-enlarged sun and moon patterns for use in class so each student can choose the size they feel particularly inspired to work with.
• A month or so before the class dates, Susan will schedule Zoom meetings to help students prepare for and answer questions regarding the class. In these pre-class Zoom sessions, she will discuss and demonstrate fabric selection focused on color, values, and printed designs, as well as how to prepare a fabric palette.
• All breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 5 dinners 
• Excursion to Pienza
• Visit to illuminated manuscripts museum
• Saffron lesson
• Saffron fabric-dyeing
• Cantucci-making lesson
• Renaissance art walking tour
• Opportunities to shop and explore on your own

NOT INCLUDED

Not included: airfare, meals or transportation outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for hotel staff and drivers

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

DATES AND DETAILS

• Dates: October 19-24, 2025
• Trip Price: $3,695-$4,195 USD (choose room type upon booking)
• Room Descriptions:
  • Single: Single occupancy, single bed, private ensuite bathroom
  • Classic: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Superior: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Deluxe: Double occupancy, double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower (specifically for couples or friends traveling together)
• Pre-requisite of Class: ownership of Susan Carlson’s Online Master Class—a reference manual for the beginning-to-end fabric collage technique. Especially useful with both pre-class and post-class information. Student discount of $30 off full price of $199. Ownership is “forever,” any and all updates included. Please contact Susan’s husband Tom  at tom@tomallenbooks.com if you have questions, and to get your discount code.
• A $700 deposit is required to book your space
• Arrival and departure airport Rome Fiumicino
• View our Terms and Cancellation Policy

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