Forest Whimsy Felting
Participants will learn the two techniques of felting, wet and dry (needle) creating sculptural and wearable pieces.
Wet felting is the ancient process of using unprocessed (loose) wool to create fabric using water, soap , agitation and heat. It is a technique that Mongolian communities have used for centuries to make yurts, Afghan shepards also have made weather resistant jackets which doubled as small tents for centuries. Just two examples of many.
Needle or dry felting is the process of using a barbed needle to create a solid piece from loose wool (roving) to make finer sculptural pieces such as figures and animals. It is a more recent technique created by an Australian fibre artist in the 1980's and allows for very detailed pieces. Both processes use silk and other fibres in addition to the wool as embellishments and to add texture. Once participants learn these techniques in the course they will be able to independently make fabric and 3D sculptural pieces such as pods/ bowls/ table runners/ wall hanging pieces, sculptural figures etc.
Participants will learn the scientific explanations behind the processes and the way natural fibres behave during the process. We will cover the history and cultural significance of felted craft from around the world while we work on our pieces. We will use the most sustainable methods similar to that that have been used for centuries with a focus on minimal impact on our environment and utilising natural resources (raw wool) that are often ordinarily discarded. The process is Vegetarian ie. does not impact animal welfare and I attempt to source the most sustainable materials for the workshops.
AGE: Suitable for ages 12 to 17
SKILL LEVEL: Everyone - Suitable for a range of experience and skill. Tutors understand that there will be varying skill levels and will adapt to the needs and interests of all students.
SCHEDULE: Full Days - Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 2025 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
VENUE: St Mary’s Primary School
STATUS: Places available
Participants will learn the two techniques of felting, wet and dry (needle) creating sculptural and wearable pieces.
Wet felting is the ancient process of using unprocessed (loose) wool to create fabric using water, soap , agitation and heat. It is a technique that Mongolian communities have used for centuries to make yurts, Afghan shepards also have made weather resistant jackets which doubled as small tents for centuries. Just two examples of many.
Needle or dry felting is the process of using a barbed needle to create a solid piece from loose wool (roving) to make finer sculptural pieces such as figures and animals. It is a more recent technique created by an Australian fibre artist in the 1980's and allows for very detailed pieces. Both processes use silk and other fibres in addition to the wool as embellishments and to add texture. Once participants learn these techniques in the course they will be able to independently make fabric and 3D sculptural pieces such as pods/ bowls/ table runners/ wall hanging pieces, sculptural figures etc.
Participants will learn the scientific explanations behind the processes and the way natural fibres behave during the process. We will cover the history and cultural significance of felted craft from around the world while we work on our pieces. We will use the most sustainable methods similar to that that have been used for centuries with a focus on minimal impact on our environment and utilising natural resources (raw wool) that are often ordinarily discarded. The process is Vegetarian ie. does not impact animal welfare and I attempt to source the most sustainable materials for the workshops.
AGE: Suitable for ages 12 to 17
SKILL LEVEL: Everyone - Suitable for a range of experience and skill. Tutors understand that there will be varying skill levels and will adapt to the needs and interests of all students.
SCHEDULE: Full Days - Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 2025 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
VENUE: St Mary’s Primary School
STATUS: Places available
Participants will learn the two techniques of felting, wet and dry (needle) creating sculptural and wearable pieces.
Wet felting is the ancient process of using unprocessed (loose) wool to create fabric using water, soap , agitation and heat. It is a technique that Mongolian communities have used for centuries to make yurts, Afghan shepards also have made weather resistant jackets which doubled as small tents for centuries. Just two examples of many.
Needle or dry felting is the process of using a barbed needle to create a solid piece from loose wool (roving) to make finer sculptural pieces such as figures and animals. It is a more recent technique created by an Australian fibre artist in the 1980's and allows for very detailed pieces. Both processes use silk and other fibres in addition to the wool as embellishments and to add texture. Once participants learn these techniques in the course they will be able to independently make fabric and 3D sculptural pieces such as pods/ bowls/ table runners/ wall hanging pieces, sculptural figures etc.
Participants will learn the scientific explanations behind the processes and the way natural fibres behave during the process. We will cover the history and cultural significance of felted craft from around the world while we work on our pieces. We will use the most sustainable methods similar to that that have been used for centuries with a focus on minimal impact on our environment and utilising natural resources (raw wool) that are often ordinarily discarded. The process is Vegetarian ie. does not impact animal welfare and I attempt to source the most sustainable materials for the workshops.
AGE: Suitable for ages 12 to 17
SKILL LEVEL: Everyone - Suitable for a range of experience and skill. Tutors understand that there will be varying skill levels and will adapt to the needs and interests of all students.
SCHEDULE: Full Days - Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 2025 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
VENUE: St Mary’s Primary School
STATUS: Places available
course info
Please read all course information below before purchasing tickets for this event.
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DAY ONE
Intro to Wet Felting: Making a pod using the resist method (3D)
Explanations and examples from around the world are described and images shared with participants
Participants will create a 3D pod shaped vessel using wool and silk that can either hang or sit on surface.
DAY TWO
Intro to dry felting: Making an owl nest and owl family.
Using the needle felting method we will create an owl family that can nestle in their pod home that was created on the first day.
DAY THREE
Wet felting wearable art: Making a shoulder bag
Again using the resist method participants will create a bag with inside pockets using the wet felting method. Participants will have a choice between two sizes.
DAY FOUR
Needle felting using armature: creating figures
This technique uses copper wire to create figures with limbs and finer bodily details ie fairies, human form, some animals etc.
We will look at dimensions of the body etc to create figures which can exhibit bodily expression due to the ability to change and manipulate posture etc.
DAY FIVE
Group Creation: Making a wet felted sign/ piece together using the Nuno Felting method.
This is a technique created by an Australian artist using silk fabric and natural fibres. Nuno meaning cloth in Japanese. This could be the creation of a mural, a sign for Camp Creative (bunting style with the letters). This can be discussed and planned with the group over the first few days of the camp. I have found that it s a way to bring the group together and connect as a finale piece.
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Please bring the following on your first day of class:
An old towel for mopping up excess water
A shopping bag of soft plastics for stuffing our 3D pods ie. bread bags, plastic shopping bags
A used and empty dishwashing detergent bottle or water bottle with a squirty removable lid.
This class has an extra materials cost of $95, which is payable directly to the tutor.
Once you book your ticket, the tutor will be in touch to arrange payment.
Cost of $95 includes:
Corriedale and superfine Merino wool
Silk and wool curls
Bubble wrap
Tuille
Soap
Foam block
Felting needles
Copper wire
Small pliers
Wooden round base
Wooden buttons.
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No experience required.
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YOUR COURSE TUTOR
Jude Lay
Jude is a mother of two wonderful kids and she lives and creates on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation in the Yarra Valley in VIC.
She resides next to the beautiful Birrarung (Yarra River) and is inspired by the rhythms and goings on of our mountains and natural environment. She has been a creator as long as she can remember and is passionate about traditional crafts using natural materials and retaining these crafts and customs that connect and bring community together. She was a founding member (2016) of a womens collective The Pea Green Boat, that brought community in to create and connect through the shared love of traditional crafts. They created a gallery/shop which was a meeting place for community members which then evolved into a workshop space also.
She has been teaching felting since to various community groups and is passionate about all community members having access to these experiences and teachers so works with community services organisations as well as private spaces.
She is currently studying Art Therapy as she has experienced personally and with participants the value in these processes.
