Your Guide
International Feltmakers Association
Hello my name is Louise. I will be your mentor for this online workshop. My first taste of feltmaking was over 10 years ago with Sheila Smith, our last IFA President. I was hooked at my very first class and have spent most of my spare time since trying to learn more and more exciting techniques. I hope you enjoy your exploration as much as I did and continue to do.
Questions? Comments? Email me!
About this course
Hello and welcome to Discovering Feltmaking - 3D felt
You are about to embark on this online course primarily to learn techniques in felt making with the main aim being to create a seamless 3 dimensional hollow object out of wool fibres.
We will show you how to create a simple vessel on a resist. When you have mastered this technique we show you how to adapt the shape of your hollow form by changing the resist or the way the piece is cut.
This course has been developed by the International Feltmakers Association to help to create an understanding of the further processes of enhancing our making of wet felt.
Aims:
To develop a further understanding of wool and felt in order to encourage high standards and success in feltmaking.
To work with a resist to create a hollow form.
To further explore wet feltmaking techniques to acquire a knowledge of using and adapting a resist to create a different shape in a hollow form.
To create a series of forms or vessels with accompanying notes to use as a reference in future feltmaking practices.
The International Feltmakers Association has not provided a fibre pack for this course as you are encouraged to use whatever fibres you have available to give a good structural felt.
Getting started
It is important you allow yourself time and space to work your way through this course but be realistic with your other commitments. It can be useful to set out your workspace in advance whether it is your craft room, your studio, your dining table or your kitchen worktop. Have a project box or basket that you can use to gather your ‘ingredients’ for your pieces of work so that you can keep your work accessible for when it is convenient to pick it up again then you can be immediately productive.
We suggest you keep a simple notebook to help you keep your notes and samples together. This makes it easier to compare and self-assess your samples and to record your observations and thoughts. You may also wish to consider your outcomes and what you may do differently next time. This will be useful if you wish to progress further.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions on the online group forum, this is what it is intended for and no question is a silly question.
If you complete this Discovering Feltmaking course you can then build on your skills and enjoy the felt making process through further practice.
You may want to look out for our next Discovering Feltmaking course Five which will be available later in the year which will be focussing on Nuno felting.
FInally the Education Team are working really hard to make these courses worthwhile. At the end of the course you will receive a Mailchimp newsletter with a survey attached. Please do the survey if you are able. If you have any comments that are not covered on the survey please email us at dfcoordinator@feltmakers.com so we can continue to provide you with quality courses and improve existing ones where required.
Good luck and Happy Felting!
