Feeling stuck when it comes to quilting negative space?

If a quilt top has big, open areas… it can feel like you’re staring into the abyss.

  • Do you freeze up when it’s time to plan your quilting?

  • Worried it’ll look messy, random, or like a half-finished experiment?

  • Ever feel intimidated by where to start — and what to do next?

You’re not alone.
Quilting negative space can be overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be.

Your ticket includes lifetime access to the course - so you can revisit it whenever you want a little design clarity.  

PLUS: 6 downloadable and printable practice PDFs


What you'll learn inside Contemporary Mash-up

In this workshop, you'll learn my signature approach for tackling large, open areas with ease--and turning them into your favorite part of the quilt. 

You'll walk away with:

  • A simple method to divide large spaces into smaller, quiltable sections

  • A planning process for deciding which motifs to use (and where)

  • Tips for keeping the overall look cohesive--not chaotic

  • Real examples and live walkthroughs so you can see it all in action

  • Confidence to take your next quilt from "blank space" to bold finish


This method works with traditional fabrics, too!

You don't need a modern quilt to make this work.

In fact, this style looks stunning with traditional prints, colors, and piecing--as long as you have open areas to work with.  

That's negative space to a quilter--and that's where this method shines.  

Ready to finally feel excited about quilting those open areas?

Give me one hour, and you'll leave with a strategy you can use on your very next quilt.

Dive in right now!

Who am I?

I’m Susan Smith - quilter, teacher, and enthusiastic experimenter of quilting styles.

I've quilted over 1,400 quilts, and I've won multiple ribbons for this contemporary style--but what I really want to prove to you is that quilting that looks this intricate and impressive is actually quite simple.  

The juxtaposition of line work against interesting motifs is what sets it apart and makes it eye catching. Yet it's not at all complicated, requires little planning, and turns out different on every quilt.

My teaching style is un-fussy, approachable, and I want to help you create bold, custom results without overcomplicating the process.

Common Questions

  • This seems advanced...What if I'm not experienced enough?

    No worries--this workshop is designed to look fancy, but feel totally doable. If you've got a few quilting motifs under your belt and some very basic ruler skills, you'll be able to follow along and apply this right away. You don't need to be an expert. Just ready to try something new.

  • How do I know where to start?

    That's what I'll show you. You'll learn a simple strategy to break down big open areas into smaller manageable sections--so you can start quilting with confidence instead of staring at a blank space in panic.

  • Will this work with traditional piecing or does it have to be modern?

    Absolutely--this approach works beautifully with traditional prints, colors, and fabrics. The key ingredient is open space. If your quilt has large areas without heavy piecing, you've got negative space, and that's exactly where this method shines.

  • Will you be quilting live?

    Not this time--instead, I'll walk you through the process using photos of real quilts and pre-recorded drawing demos in Procreate. You'll get a clear, step-by-step visual of how each section comes together and how to use this approach on your wown work.

  • Can I really learn this in just one hour?

    Yes! This is a focused, fluff-free training. You'll see examples, get the process and drawing samples, and walk away with a practical strategy you can use immediately.

What students are saying:

  • Linda

    Every time I have machine quilted since I started following Susan, I am reminded of the many things I've learned from her about everything from loading the quilt to keeping it flat and straight to the thread color and quilting pattern selection. Sew grateful.

  • Doris

    I am learning so much with Susan’s excellent instruction. The course material, watching Susan stitch the designs, and her samples of how the design appears on quilts is so helpful. And all in the comfort of my own home!

  • Lori

    I am thoroughly enjoying your videos. They are high quality productions with very, very useful content. I always learn something while watching you and find inspiration to try something new. LORI

FAQ

  • Is this for ALL machine quilters? Or only longarmers?

    It's for ALL quilters! Even the hand quilters 😁

  • Can I watch this on my own time? Or only a specific time?

    It will only be held LIVE at the specified time, but the replay will automatically be available for every enrollee.

  • How do I access the workshop?

    Watch for your introduction email! It'll have login details for your student dashboard. That's where you'll find the LIVE course, and also the REPLAY as soon as it's released.

  • If I'm an ADVANCE member, is this workshop included in my membership?

    Yes! This workshop is part of your monthly membership--so don't purchase it! You'll find it on your student dashboard the day after the live session is held.