WORKSHOPS
PREPPY PRISM WORKSHOP
This live workshop is designed for groups of up to 20 participants with an Advanced Beginner skill level. The session runs 4 to 5 hours with the goal of completing a four-block wall hanging. Prior to the workshop, participants will receive a supply list and a link to purchase the Preppy Prism Pattern and Templates as a digital PDF (class discount available).
In this workshop, attendees learn to accurately piece gently curved pieces, stacking curved pieces to create an accurately pieced wedge and then join wedges into a cohesive partially circular design. I will also teach how to use the grainline of fabric for accurate piecing.
The session begins with a discussion on cutting pieces following the grainline of the fabric. Tips and tricks are presented for sewing smooth curved seams together into stacked gently curved shapes. Hands-on instruction will guide participants through each step of the process. Additional topics include different layout options of blocks, color variations, pressing techniques, grainline and optional design elements to personalize the final quilt.
By the end of the workshop, you'll have a strong foundation in curved piecing and will make meaningful progress on your own Preppy Prism wall hanging or quilt.
BLOOMING AGAVE WORKSHOP
This live workshop is designed for groups of up to 20 participants with an Advanced Beginner skill level. The session runs 4.5 to 5 hours, and attendees should arrive with their fabric pre-cut. Prior to the workshop, participants will receive a supply list and a link to purchase the Blooming Agave Pattern as a digital PDF (class discount available).
In this workshop, attendees will learn to use a parallelogram block to create a modern, stylized Blooming Agave quilt. The goal is to complete one section, which can be finished as a wall hanging (26” x 72”) or combined into a larger 71” x 72” quilt with three sections.
The session begins with a discussion on cutting parallelograms and utilizing the fabric grainline for precise piecing. Hands-on instruction will guide participants through each step of the process. Tips and tricks are presented for accurately piecing together two parallelogram shapes. Additional topics include color variations, pressing techniques, grainline usage, and optional design elements to personalize the final quilt.
At the end of the workshop, attendees will have a solid foundation in these techniques and make significant progress on their Blooming Agave quilt.
LECTURES
FORM, FUNCTION, AND FREEDOM: PRINCIPLES IN MODERN QUILTING
This talk explores the core design principles that define modern quilting today—bold use of form, practical function, and the creative freedom that distinguishes it from traditional approaches. We'll examine the elements of composition including negative space, asymmetry, color theory, maximalism and minimalism, and how these principles are used to evoke emotion and tell stories. Through visual examples and process insights, Abigail Vargas shares how modern quilters are rethinking the quilt as both a functional object and an expressive art form. Ideal for those interested in a deeper understanding of the visual strategies that give modern quilts their distinctive power.
SALVAGED BEAUTY: REPURPOSED AND SCRAP MATERIALS IN CONTEMPORARY QUILTS
With over 20 years of experience working with repurposed fabrics, I’m passionate about transforming discarded textiles into meaningful and visually striking quilts. This lecture explores how discarded fabrics, studio remnants, and worn textiles become the foundation for innovative and expressive quilt designs. I’ll share examples from my own practice and others, highlighting how material limitations can spark unexpected creativity, storytelling, and aesthetic richness. I share techniques and inspiration for incorporating recycled, upcycled, and leftover materials into your quilting practice. From garment fabrics and vintage linens to UFOs and studio scraps, we’ll explore how to let these fabrics guide your design choices and help you create dynamic, story-rich compositions. You'll learn practical tips for handling mixed materials and blending repurposed elements with new fabrics.
MODERN ART MOVEMENT AND INFLUENCE ON MODERN QUILTING
IThis lecture traces the rich dialogue between 20th-century modern art movements and today’s modern quilting aesthetic. From the bold geometry of Bauhaus and the expressive abstraction of Abstract Expressionism to the minimalism and conceptual art of the 1960s and beyond, Abigail Vargas explores how visual art history has shaped the language of contemporary quilts. We’ll examine how quilters adopt, reinterpret, and challenge the formal ideas of modernism—transforming canvas-based movements into stitched expressions of color, shape, and meaning.
EXQUISITE QUILT COLLABORATIONS
I began the Exquisite Quilt Collaboration 3 years ago and now there are 5 quilts available for a Zoom or In-Person trunk show. Learn the story behind the Exquisite Quilt collaborations and how the pattern along with the ‘rules’ built amazing vibrant quilts. Please contact me below for additional information
START YOUR OWN EXQUISITE QUILT COLLABORATION
Do you have a group that wants to do your own Exquisite Quilt Collaboration? I am available to get your group of 3 or more started by helping you set the ‘rules’, choose colors and decide on the finished size. These Zoom workshops have several options from one or all below. The Exquisite Quilt Pattern/Instructions are available for purchase by collaborators. Contact me below for additional information.
Workshop on setting the groundwork for your group including history of Exquisite Quilt and trunk show. Up to 3 hours.
Optional: Workshop using the 9-patch block to design and create your first block for your collaboration. You will learn the connector elements used to create a successful connector block. There are endless design options with the 9-patch block. 3 Hours.
Optional: Additional assistance with blocks or final layout of quilt. Half hour to 1 hour.
Contact me.
Let me know in the message area which lecture/workshop you are interested in.