A quilt that is going to be used and washed needs a proper binding to keep it together. But with quilt art that hangs on a wall (such as mini-quilts) or is meant for other artistic purposes (such as artist trading cards, inchies, etc.), your options are wide open.

I've always found quilters to be a generous bunch, always ready to share a technique or some fabric from their stash.

A note from Vivika: While I'm on medical leave, my dog, Elvis, has been keeping me company. His presence--and frequent antics--lift my spirits. Pets are so important in our lives--and often in our fabric art--so today I thought I'd share this Q&A with Quilting Daily Community member Martha Tabis from 2010.

Last year about this time, I was inspired by a group dyeing adventure at the Interweave offices to host my own dyeing party at home.

Fiber artist Deborah Boschert loves to include unexpected and surprising materials in her fabric collages-window screening, telephone cording, paint chips-it's all fodder for her fabric art.

I'm an equal-opportunity fabric monger: I drool just as much over hand surface-designed fabrics. I gobble up every new technique and have even tried some fabric stamping, ice dyeing, resist dyeing, and fabric painting. I love it.

Dimensional flowers lend beauty and texture to a piece of fiber art, but they are not easily accomplished. When I saw Barb Forrister's demonstration of how to make realistic looking flowers with a combination of machine embroidery and surface design techniques, however, I was intrigued and wanted to share the process with you.

Last year when Pantone announced its Color of the Year—Tangerine Tango—I was a fan. I like cheerful, sunny colors, and this one hit the spot for me. I could see using it in different modes, from fabric to embroidery, to surface design techniques.