We are excited to bring you this new concept combining fun, a little mystery, some novel felting techniques and the opportunity to display your work in an exhibition. Here is a chance to try something a little different.
How does it work?
Each week, for one month, you will be given clues by different feltmakers for making wild and wacky beads (or at least small felted objects that can hang from a string) for a necklace. The clues will include short videos demonstrating techniques or written notes and photos. You will be able to ask questions if anything needs extra explaining. There are no set times. You can work on the project when it is convenient to you.
While these clues will take you through the overall process, there will also be the opportunity to use your own design creativity. This is not an exercise in everyone creating an identical item although there will be similarities.
The profits from Canfelt Along For Convergence will be provided to the organisers of the Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers Convergence following the Felt Road convergence planned to be held in Canberra, ACT Australia in 2023.
Materials
Before the Canfelt Along for Convergence begins you will be given a materials list including some ideas for colour combinations. Many of the materials can probably be sourced from your stash.
Skill level
A basic knowledge of how felt is made is assumed. The instructions will be in English.
Registration
Registration is essential. Entry in the exhibition is included. This event is open to all felt makers. Secure online payment is available through PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account).
Helen Cox will teach basic pattern tracing, fitting and sewing techniques suitable for sewing your felt into garments. No felting techniques will be included. Participants will learn how to trace off a downloaded PDF pattern, how to fit the pattern and how to construct a simple but stylish vest from felt you have made.
If preferred, the vest can be constructed from boiled wool or similar fabric which doesn’t need the edges finished with a binding, facings or the like. You will take home your finished garment, your pattern ready to use again and the printed instructions from Tessuti (they have the best instructions).
We will be using the Amara vest pattern from Tessuti (cost $10 which will be included in the price of the Skillshare). If you already have this pattern you will be reimbursed.
This is a members-only event. Please log on to register.
Materials and equipment
You will need either:
Two pieces of felt, approximately 95cmx70cm finished size. Embellish as you wish.
or
Boiled wool
Sewing machine in good working order, thread to match your fabric, scissors, pins and your regular sewing kit. If you have these please also bring scissors to cut the tracing fabric, your rotary cutter with a new blade and your cutting mat. I will also bring extras.
Sources of boiled wool (These are online fabric shops, so if you are ordering fabric please allow sufficient time for your parcel to arrive):
Backup plan if COVID restrictions are in force: if we are unable to run a face to face class due to COVID restrictions, participants will be offered an online alternative workshop using Zoom.
Cancellations: see Workshop Terms and Conditions.
Canberra Region Feltmakers offers one day workshops introducing those new to wet felting to the basic skills needed to start creating your own beautiful felt pieces.
In Basics and Beyond your tutor will guide you through techniques for laying out wool, wetting down, rolling, fulling, creating 3D shapes and most importantly, how to tell when your felt is fully felted.
After introducing you to the magic of felt making, your tutor will assist you to create a unique project to take home.
We look forward to sharing the magic of felt making with you.
Lynn has been a feltmaker for 20 years. What she loves most about felt making is that it is a very forgiving art form and often surprises her with unexpected results.
Lynn has worked with a wide range of people to help them discover the joys of feltmaking: from workshops at the National Folk Festival, demonstrations at the Kingston Bus Depot Markets, classes with school groups and leading community felting projects to create large scale works including banners, a 'nesting tree' and a reading cubby. Her current interests include exploring how felt making can intersect with other art forms - particularly live theatre and film making.
Workshop level: Novice, beginner
What's included in the fee: your pack of wool, one day workshop in small class, loan of some feltmaking equipment.
What to bring: please refer to this list of requirements that you will need to bring with you to participate in the workshop.
Backup plan if COVID restrictions are in force: if we are unable to run a face to face class due to COVID restricitions, participants will be offered an online alternative workshop using Zoom.
What's happening at this meeting for members:
BYO lunch and catch up with other members.
If you are on the roster, please arrive at 10am to help set up and most importantly, plan to stay after the meeting to clear up.
The red tin will welcome your $5 cash payment for room use or you can pay online
In this workshop suitable for feltmakers of all levels including beginners, we will experiment with the network felt method to make a scarf of your own design that is light weight and surprisingly warm.
Network felt is a fun wet felting technique used to create felt with deliberate holes. It is also called felt lattice or felt lace and your explorations with line and embellishments can take it way beyond a simple felt lattice if you choose.
We will begin by laying out wool to create a lattice pattern. To this we will add your choice of yarns, prefelt, silk or plant fibre. We will also look at incorporating light weight silk fabric and making felted fringes. By the end of this workshop you will know when your felt is properly finished.
Sharyn Steel started felt making 10 years ago and loves to share the tactile nature of this craft. She enjoys the versatility that felt making offers and the way it can be incorporated into her drawing and graphic design practice. Sharyn has also worked professionally as a workplace trainer and facilitated many adult training sessions.
Sharyn was Felt Champion of Champions in 2020 at the Royal Canberra Show and has received first place for many of her entries in the Felt section over several years.
Workshop level: Beginners and up (completion of a Beginners Felt workshop would be helpful)
COVID plan: CRF has a COVID plan in place at the venue. If we are unable to run a face to face class due to sudden COVID lockdown, participants will be offered the alternative of an online workshop using Zoom.
The third gathering for the 'Transformations: Hanging by a Thread' project will be on Sunday 19 September, 11-00am to 12.00 noon at Textile Works.
Feel free to bring along your work in progress for the exhibition (design, materials or the work in progress). Also bring along any unfinished projects and/or interesting materials (to donate) that could do with some TRANSFORMATION.
Open to CRF and CWS members.
The fourth (and final) gathering for the 'Transformations: Hanging by a Thread' project will be on Sunday 10 October, 11-00am to 12.00 noon at Textile Works.
See the puppets come alive!
Wool, silk and other fibres are transformed by Canberra Region Feltmakers into quirky hand-made felted creatures.
Creative artists including photographers, script writers, actors, improvisers, musicians and videographers from the Canberra Region and beyond bring the puppets to life in unexpected, entertaining and at times thought-provoking ways.
Catch their work in the virtual gallery and YouTube video playlist - to be launched 8 November.
Some of the puppets will be available for purchase from Canberra Region Feltmakers' Open Studio on 12-13 November.
This event is presented as part of the annual DESIGN Canberra festival (8-28 November 2021) which celebrates and promotes Canberra as a global city of design. A Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre initiative.
This exhibition will showcase collaborative artworks made by members of Canberra Region Feltmakers and Canberra Spinners and Weavers.
Open Studios will be held by both groups at Textile Works in tandem with the exhibition. In the Open Studios visitors will be able to see textile artists at work.
Visit our Exhibition Shop where hand made felt items including garments, accessories, gifts and homewares will be available for sale.
This event is presented as part of the annual DESIGN Canberra festival (8-28 November 2021) which celebrates and promotes Canberra as a global city of design.Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre initiative.
At our Open Studio you will be able to see feltmakers at work creating a range of innovative pieces. You can also find out more about conceptual design and construction processes as they relate to feltmaking.
You can also pop into the Textile Works Gallery to see 'Transformations: Hanging By A Thread' and visit our Exhibition Shop where hand made felt items including garments, accessories, gifts and homewares will be available for sale.
Bring plate of food to share (COVID permitting) and catch up with other members.
Canberra Region Feltmakers Inc
Meetings: 19/70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley ACT
Post: PO Box 455 Curtin ACT 2605
ABN: 16 718 242 055
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