Student Testimonials

This was by far the best design class I have attended! I also loved that it felt completely unpressured, which meant that I didn’t waste any creative energy through panic – I could just calmly get on with my exploration of a design image. “Connections in a Series” was a revelation for me and a turning point in my creative efforts. This course taught me how to refine my ideas, expand my design repertoire and experiment more effectively. Inspiring examples from various artists in a range of mediums clearly illustrated what we were aiming for and the format of the course ensured that all who participated – whether beginner or advanced quilter – could reach these goals. I also enjoyed that creative dialogue with Odette as well with other students was encouraged, so that we all ended up learning from one another. Odette is a wonderful guide through the jungle of creative design, gently enticing the best out of each student.

Thanks so much for a wonderful course – I really enjoyed it and learnt a great deal. You put a lot of thought into the structure and it worked!

“Major Minors” was an inspiration and an artistic revolution for me. We made a number of little quilts each to illustrate and learn about a design principle and to play with technique. The little quilts also started me learning the benefits of investing time in design. I’ve used what I learnt in that class over and over again and will happily do it again. Odette’s classes are a serene space within which you feel safe enough to explore way beyond your existing boundaries. Odette is not only a brilliant artist who is theoretically and practically extremely well qualified, she is also a sympathetic, excellent and very experienced teacher who guides gently and clearly so that you understand the points she’s making in a positive and reinforcing space.

I would like to thank you so much for the wonderful time I had in your Design class at Ros’ studio. It surpassed my wildest dreams and I feel so fired with enthusiasm and hope to be more innovative in my future quilting endeavours.

Odette is truly an inspirational teacher. Her wealth of knowledge and talent serve to make all her students aspire to greater heights. I have completed a course on curved piecing and one on design with Odette. Both classes changed the way I approach quilting. I feel so much more confident when taking on challenging projects. Odette’s design course has altered the way I look at the world around me. In spite of her success and achievements, she never makes her students feel intimidated. Her classes are highly recommended. I feel very privileged to belong to a quilting community that has a teacher like her.

I had a fantastic time at your workshop – it could never be better. You do make an awesome teacher. I learnt some great stuff on that day. Highly appreciate it.

I absolutely loved your workshop in Lansing and have been working on my quilt every waking moment when I don’t have to be somewhere else. It is looking great! Probably the best thing I have ever done.

I took your African Design Sources class at the Christchurch, NZ Symposium. I am still very much a beginner quilter and I struggled initially but eventually came up with the enclosed quilt after discarding many tries! I am personally thrilled with the result and I want to thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and ideas. Your gentle, tactful teaching manner made a big impression on me and helped me to keep working on it.

I just wanted to say how valuable I found your class here in Dunedin after the Christchurch symposium. It was immensely challenging, but has taught me all the more because of that. It took me a long time to complete the quilt I started in your class. However, after some time, I found I was no longer so afraid of making it up as I went along, standing back, taking bits out, adding bits and finding what satisfied me. It now hangs in our home and I get immense satisfaction from it visually and as a reminder of my quilt journey.

This class was a real eye-opener! You have a way of making design seem clear and understandable to non-art people like me, which I found very useful.

I was in your recent Major Minors workshop in PE. It was SO useful and has had my head swimming with ideas ever since. Thank you!

This is a class that I enjoyed tremendously – I really enjoyed the atmosphere as well as the content of the class. The design exercises that you gave us were the starting points for my own interpretations of suggested themes. Some of them I would never have attempted on my own, but every single one that I worked on sparks a new idea.

Thanks Odette for a very informative and sometimes challenging class. I am waiting for Design, Design, Design 2.

It was with great trepidation that I booked myself into your Design workshop. And for me it was hard – forcing me right out of my comfort zones. However, the rewards were great – I learned so much about shapes, lines, focal points, balance, symmetry, structure, texture, colour, size, scale and so much more. But the greatest reward for me personally is that it instilled in me a new confidence in my work, setting me free to enjoy my work.

You shared your talents openly and generously and your practical tips were very useful. You opened doors to creativity and opened our eyes in many ways. Your quilts have meaning, they are an extension of you and they show you working through a process. You certainly packed a lot of creative info. into one very hot morning. Your experience and knowledge is so valuable to others.

Your course was very well planned and prepared and I am sure everyone learnt a lot about curved piecing and will be able to use some of the ideas in their own work. Great to see all your quilts close up! Many thanks!

We really appreciate your great knowledge, artistic input and willingness to share with us.

I got so much out of your classes and have some great ideas on how to use the African designs in a particular composition. I’ve been looking for a way to combine some very modern-looking, abstract masks with more traditional African motifs and this is the perfect way.