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Cheesecloth in Fibre Art

Happy 2026 - Final Year for Online Cheesecloth Classes

Welcome to the wonderful world of cheesecloth! I am a Canadian fibre artist best known for my cheesecloth portraiture - artworks that are made with sculpted cheesecloth stitched to a textile backing. When I pioneered this technique almost 20 years ago, creating portraits that are meticulously detailed and exquisitely textural, I had no idea how many students would want to learn how to incorporate cheesecloth into their own fibre art. So in 2020 I added Mary Pal Teaches as a companion to my fine art site, Mary Pal Designs.

The on-demand workshops here have allowed students to work step by step at their own pace, in the comfort of their own homes. I have only one weeklong in-person workshop in 2026 and one in 2027 and then Retirement! I reduced these online workshop prices in 2025 and am using Canadian currency - a great deal for everyone and especially my American students!
These two projects are quick to complete, so waste no time: sign up, print out the patterns and instructions, and make them so you can refer back to them for any future cheesecloth projects you might want to make.

Happy cheeseclothing!

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Learning to Use Cheesecloth in Fibre Art

If you enjoy making artworks from fabric, you already know the attraction to working with textiles. They provide a luxurious soft finish that is just not possible with traditional hard media like stretched canvas or paper. 
And they have the additional allure of texture! But chances are you haven't done much with cheesecloth because it seemed flimsy and difficult to manage.

These workshops are a gentle introduction to the many ways cheesecloth can be used in fiber art.  Cheesecloth? Yes! It's such a versatile medium! Here you will learn how to add delectable texture to your fiber art, and specific ways to manipulate this incredible fabric to get a variety of effects, from tree branches, to weathered skin, to wispy grasses or hair. The completed motifs are easily stitched to a background fabric, adding incredible texture to your fiber art creations. 

The beginning classes are simple projects that you can complete quickly ... they will be online until the end of 2026. So watch the videos and complete the steps in a single day. 

Cheesecloth 101: Windswept Pine

This workshop introduces you to all the basics of my unique method of manipulating cheesecloth that teaches “sculpting” or “painting” with fibers you then stitch to a background fabric. While not a prerequisite for the portrait class, what you learn here definitely makes the next class much easier. Included are directions on coloring cheesecloth, painting fabric, and some finishing options for your artwork.  
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Cheesecloth 102: Portraiture

Then move on to create a portrait out of cheesecloth. No drawing skills required!  Every step of the process is covered. Once you've created a working pattern, you will fine-tune the sculpting skills you learned in making the pine tree, focusing on value to depict light and shadows, following along as I demonstrate each step in the process.  Confident beginner friendly.
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Products

  • $30

Cheesecloth 101: Windswept Pine

  • Course
  • 25 Lessons

This class is a gentle introduction to using cheesecloth in fiber art - perfect for beginners. Cheesecloth is such a versatile medium! Learn how to colour it, to shape the fibres to portray varied textures, and how to create a background home for your windswept pine. A fun one-day project for adventurous sewists!
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  • $40

Cheesecloth 102: Portraiture

  • Course
  • 31 Lessons

Once you have learned how easy cheesecloth is to work with, learn how simple it is to create a portrait using it. No drawing skills required! Follow the easy steps in my unique method of manipulating cheesecloth that combines “sculpting” or “painting” with fibres and stitching them to a background fabric. Confident beginner friendly.
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  • $50

Buy both classes ($CAD50 = $USD35) and save nearly 30%

  • Bundle
  • 2 Products

These two workshops teach you everything you need to know to begin working with this fantastic fabric. Windswept Pine is a gentle introduction to the basics of using cheesecloth to create applique shapes (with a bonus lesson on painting fabric). Portraiture is the advanced level that teaches you how to use cheesecloth to convey different values in your art quilts to create the most effective and dramatic portraits.
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  • Free

Free - Ideas for Coloring Cheesecloth

  • Course
  • 7 Lessons

A quick guide to a number of products you may already have to color your cheesecloth
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Here's What You Will Learn

Although made last year for Global Quilt Connection, the class information is still current.

What My Students Say About My Classes

Heather G

I have learned a lot in this class that can also be applied to many other things. Thank you.

Michele R

I'm very excited to start this class. I have watched it all the way through, you give such wonderful directions.

Carol C

I enjoy taking your classes. I learn new things in every class and am inspired to take on new challenges. You are a natural teacher and remarkable artist.

Ellen L

Loved the class and am really playing with it. Once I have a good feel for it, I’ll start my next class. Excellent presentation.

Linda C

 I’m really inspired to try another piece once I have free reign in my studio.  I’m going to color some cheesecloth and try an experiment with a rose. Thanks again, you’re such a great teacher and so inspiring.

Liz D

Mary you are such a natural teacher. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Everything was easy to understand and I just love your enthusiasm. I look forward to starting my own piece!

Barb E

You are a great teacher and I have enjoyed both classes and looking forward to seeing what you have planned for your next class.

Rosemarie P

Took Mary's class with [group]. Great value for a course! Well worth the extra for having her virtually teach us. Mary is very generous with examples of her experience and other students experiences. Good balance of explanation and demonstration. Thank you.

Adele V

Thank you Mary! Our guild members are amazed by the beauty and skill of your fabric art. I have already received a number of emails thanking program for bringing you to our guild. We so enjoyed your presentation. Peter Gzowski also helped me survive my "stay at home" days with my children; I especially loved your portrait of him!  You have a new group of fans.

Frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

How long do I have access to this course?

For at least a year from date of purchase; certainly for as long as this platform exists. This is the second iteration of these classes and there are no guarantees in life about virtual offerings, but my hope is that you can access them for a few years. 

Are these classes suitable for beginners?

Suitable for adventurous sewists, these classes require that you know how to do free-motion sewing to applique the finished cheesecloth pieces to fabric. Finishing options include quilting, but the fabric can also be glued to a stretched canvas or wrapped around one. So the sewing is minimal.

Do I need a printer?

The PDF patterns are intended to be printed so you can use them as models for shaping your cheesecloth. If you don't have a printer, you can send them to a print or copy shop for printing. 

I still have questions. How do I contact you?

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. The little purple button in the bottom right hand corner is a link to an instant live chat. If I am not online, I will answer as soon as I am, within 48 hours. You can also send an email to marybpal@gmail.com. 

How long do these workshops take to complete?

Each of these classes is a one-day workshop, when I teach them at in-person venues. But the beauty of online classes is that you can start them, set them aside, and pick up and carry on when it's convenient for you! You will hear this repeatedly: cheesecloth is so forgiving - you can start and stop each stage whenever you like, and pick right up again at another time.