Felting Workshops Offered 2014
HALF DAY WORKSHOPS (3 hours)
Felted Jewelry
Participants will learn how wool felts by making, bracelets, broaches, earrings and round and square beads for necklaces. They can be embellished with needle felting, glass or seed beads and embroidery.
Felted Flowers
Participants will make a variety of felted flowers. Some can be turned into broaches or clips to hold a wrap together, some can be used to decorate hats or simply placed in a vase for decoration. They can be embellished with needle felting, beads and embroidery.
ONE DAY WORKSHOPS (6 hours)
Beginners Felting
Welcome to the wonderful world of felting!
Participants will learn how and why wool felts and how to lay the wool out and obtain a lightweight durable fabric. You will create and design your own original one of a kind scarf which will be completed on the day.
Once you have an understanding of how wool felts there are a number of workshops to further develop techniques and ideas
Nuno Felting
Participants will learn what fabrics can be used to make nuno felt and how and why the wool fibers penetrate fabric and felt. You will design and create a lightweight scarf or wrap.
Seamless Bag/Cushion Cover/Hat/Beret/Finger less gloves
Participants will gain an understanding of designing and felting using a flat resist made from plastic or bubble wrap to create 3D hollow forms. The possibilities of what can be created in this form will be discussed and any of the above can be made and completed on the day.
Landscapes/Influenced by an Artist/Photos
Participants bring a few photos or pictures they would like to create in felt. These will be discussed and one will be selected to create in felt. Once it is felted it can be embellished with beads, needle felting, hand or machine embroidery etc.
TWO DAY WORKSHOP (6 or more hours per day)
Nuno Felting
On day one participants will make a variety of samples of wool felted to silk, cotton gauze and other open weave fabrics to see what happens when they are felted with wool
On day two participants will design a scarf or wrap combining some of the techniques achieved on day one. All levels of experience welcome.
Openwork/Cutwork
On the first day of this workshop we will explore the various methods of making felt with holes, empty spaces and lacy designs. We will make samples of a variety of techniques. On the second day participants will make a garment of their choice using one or more of the techniques. All levels of experience welcome.
Felted Lace with Pencil Roving
On the first day participants learn about pencil roving, how to make and use it in a variety of ways including together with silk fabric. Well create samples of a variety of methods of laying out pencil roving. On day two we will design and make a scarf or wrap using one or more of the techniques.
Textures in Felting
On the first day we will make samples of a variety of methods of creating different textures in felt using silk, lace, shells, beads, thick wool and many other items that can be attached or trapped in the wool prior to felting. After considering the results achieved on day two we will design and create a scarf or wrap.
TWO OR MORE DAYS
Needle Felted Sculpted Dolls
2, 3 or 4 days
With the use of barbed felting needles and wool fibers we will explore the magic of sculpting dolls. The lifelike quality of wool lends itself as the perfect medium for sculpting dolls and Fantasy figures. These can be influenced by drawings, photos or ‘as you go’ simply exploring the techniques and seeing the character emerge. Sculptural needle felting is fun and easy to learn. In this workshop you can create a character of choice. Learning this technique will get your creative juices flowing. The size of the doll or character will depend on the number of days over which the workshop is run.
Felt and Crochet (new)
2, 3 or 4 days
This workshop is the combination of felting and crochet. The first day we will design and make a piece of felt with colours and texture. Then we will experiment with some basic crochet stitches using knitting yarn and other types of threads.
The second day we will cut the felt into different shapes and crochet a variety of stitches around each section experimenting further with crochet stitches using a variety of threads and yarns. No previous experience in crochet required. At the end of the workshop we will discuss how these shapes can be combined to create something special.
Re-Fashion your Felt into Something Sensational (new)
2, 3 or 4 days
2, Bring all those outdated felted garments/ones that you love but no longer fit as well/scarves/samples from workshops etc. In this workshop we will re-fashion those pieces of felt into something sensational for you to wear. By cutting them up and adding some knitting, crochet, hand and/or machine stitching and embroidery they will become your favourite garment again.
THREE DAY WORKSHOPS (6 or more hours per day)
Felt a Vest using a pattern drafted to fit your body
(Metod 1 in Felt a Vest book by Phyllis Hoffman)
Day 1:
The first day is spent taking your own measurements and drafting a vest pattern on paper. Seam allowances are added where necessary and then the pattern is cut out of calico fabric, stitched together by hand or on a sewing machine and fitted to your figure. People with larger than a B cup will require some form of dart shape to flatter their figure, especially when making a vest from felted fabric. How to work the dart into the pattern will be discussed on an individual basis.
Day 2:
The second day the style of vest and design of felt are discussed and then the felt fabric is made to the size required for the vest pattern. Is must be allowed to dry and ironed/pressed (if desired) before the next lesson.
Day 3:
The third day the vest pattern is cut from the felted fabric and stitched together by hand or on the sewing machine. Special ‘tailoring’ tips are taught which will make the fit and finish of the vest very professional. Closures, hand or machine embroidery and other enhancements on the vest will be discussed, and where time permits, made or demonstrated.
Felt a vest using a Template
(Method 2 in Felt a Vest book by Phyllis Hoffman)
Day 1:
The first day is spent taking your own measurements and drafting a vest pattern on paper allowing for shrinkage of 50%. The difference between this method and the one above is that the pattern is not fitted to the body until the felt has been made. If there is time we will start laying out the wool and designing the felt.
Day 2:
The second day we continue to lay out the wool and felt the vest as far as time allows.
Day 3:
The vest is finished and fitted to the participants.
FOUR DAY WORKSHOPS (6 or more hours per day)
Designer Felted Jacket to Fit and Flatter
Over the period of 4 day participants will explore the process of drafting a pattern and then creating the felt to make the jacket. Individual patterns will be made to ensure the jacket fits and felt is created specifically for the style of jacket designed. Competence in making large pieces of felt under the guidance of the tutor required for this class. Knowledge on how to use a sewing machine an advantage but not essential.
HALF DAY WORKSHOPS (3 hours)
Felted Jewelry
Participants will learn how wool felts by making, bracelets, broaches, earrings and round and square beads for necklaces. They can be embellished with needle felting, glass or seed beads and embroidery.
Felted Flowers
Participants will make a variety of felted flowers. Some can be turned into broaches or clips to hold a wrap together, some can be used to decorate hats or simply placed in a vase for decoration. They can be embellished with needle felting, beads and embroidery.
ONE DAY WORKSHOPS (6 hours)
Beginners Felting
Welcome to the wonderful world of felting!
Participants will learn how and why wool felts and how to lay the wool out and obtain a lightweight durable fabric. You will create and design your own original one of a kind scarf which will be completed on the day.
Once you have an understanding of how wool felts there are a number of workshops to further develop techniques and ideas
Nuno Felting
Participants will learn what fabrics can be used to make nuno felt and how and why the wool fibers penetrate fabric and felt. You will design and create a lightweight scarf or wrap.
Seamless Bag/Cushion Cover/Hat/Beret/Finger less gloves
Participants will gain an understanding of designing and felting using a flat resist made from plastic or bubble wrap to create 3D hollow forms. The possibilities of what can be created in this form will be discussed and any of the above can be made and completed on the day.
Landscapes/Influenced by an Artist/Photos
Participants bring a few photos or pictures they would like to create in felt. These will be discussed and one will be selected to create in felt. Once it is felted it can be embellished with beads, needle felting, hand or machine embroidery etc.
TWO DAY WORKSHOP (6 or more hours per day)
Nuno Felting
On day one participants will make a variety of samples of wool felted to silk, cotton gauze and other open weave fabrics to see what happens when they are felted with wool
On day two participants will design a scarf or wrap combining some of the techniques achieved on day one. All levels of experience welcome.
Openwork/Cutwork
On the first day of this workshop we will explore the various methods of making felt with holes, empty spaces and lacy designs. We will make samples of a variety of techniques. On the second day participants will make a garment of their choice using one or more of the techniques. All levels of experience welcome.
Felted Lace with Pencil Roving
On the first day participants learn about pencil roving, how to make and use it in a variety of ways including together with silk fabric. Well create samples of a variety of methods of laying out pencil roving. On day two we will design and make a scarf or wrap using one or more of the techniques.
Textures in Felting
On the first day we will make samples of a variety of methods of creating different textures in felt using silk, lace, shells, beads, thick wool and many other items that can be attached or trapped in the wool prior to felting. After considering the results achieved on day two we will design and create a scarf or wrap.
TWO OR MORE DAYS
Needle Felted Sculpted Dolls
2, 3 or 4 days
With the use of barbed felting needles and wool fibers we will explore the magic of sculpting dolls. The lifelike quality of wool lends itself as the perfect medium for sculpting dolls and Fantasy figures. These can be influenced by drawings, photos or ‘as you go’ simply exploring the techniques and seeing the character emerge. Sculptural needle felting is fun and easy to learn. In this workshop you can create a character of choice. Learning this technique will get your creative juices flowing. The size of the doll or character will depend on the number of days over which the workshop is run.
Felt and Crochet (new)
2, 3 or 4 days
This workshop is the combination of felting and crochet. The first day we will design and make a piece of felt with colours and texture. Then we will experiment with some basic crochet stitches using knitting yarn and other types of threads.
The second day we will cut the felt into different shapes and crochet a variety of stitches around each section experimenting further with crochet stitches using a variety of threads and yarns. No previous experience in crochet required. At the end of the workshop we will discuss how these shapes can be combined to create something special.
Re-Fashion your Felt into Something Sensational (new)
2, 3 or 4 days
2, Bring all those outdated felted garments/ones that you love but no longer fit as well/scarves/samples from workshops etc. In this workshop we will re-fashion those pieces of felt into something sensational for you to wear. By cutting them up and adding some knitting, crochet, hand and/or machine stitching and embroidery they will become your favourite garment again.
THREE DAY WORKSHOPS (6 or more hours per day)
Felt a Vest using a pattern drafted to fit your body
(Metod 1 in Felt a Vest book by Phyllis Hoffman)
Day 1:
The first day is spent taking your own measurements and drafting a vest pattern on paper. Seam allowances are added where necessary and then the pattern is cut out of calico fabric, stitched together by hand or on a sewing machine and fitted to your figure. People with larger than a B cup will require some form of dart shape to flatter their figure, especially when making a vest from felted fabric. How to work the dart into the pattern will be discussed on an individual basis.
Day 2:
The second day the style of vest and design of felt are discussed and then the felt fabric is made to the size required for the vest pattern. Is must be allowed to dry and ironed/pressed (if desired) before the next lesson.
Day 3:
The third day the vest pattern is cut from the felted fabric and stitched together by hand or on the sewing machine. Special ‘tailoring’ tips are taught which will make the fit and finish of the vest very professional. Closures, hand or machine embroidery and other enhancements on the vest will be discussed, and where time permits, made or demonstrated.
Felt a vest using a Template
(Method 2 in Felt a Vest book by Phyllis Hoffman)
Day 1:
The first day is spent taking your own measurements and drafting a vest pattern on paper allowing for shrinkage of 50%. The difference between this method and the one above is that the pattern is not fitted to the body until the felt has been made. If there is time we will start laying out the wool and designing the felt.
Day 2:
The second day we continue to lay out the wool and felt the vest as far as time allows.
Day 3:
The vest is finished and fitted to the participants.
FOUR DAY WORKSHOPS (6 or more hours per day)
Designer Felted Jacket to Fit and Flatter
Over the period of 4 day participants will explore the process of drafting a pattern and then creating the felt to make the jacket. Individual patterns will be made to ensure the jacket fits and felt is created specifically for the style of jacket designed. Competence in making large pieces of felt under the guidance of the tutor required for this class. Knowledge on how to use a sewing machine an advantage but not essential.