Menu
Log in


Canberra Region Feltmakers

Log in

Our Workshops and skill shares

Skill shares are shorter events led by our members and focused on a particular technique or topic. We have face to face and Zoom versions but either way, information is shared, questions are answered and we all learn from each other.

Our workshops generally run for one or two days, which allows for extended development of skills and work on larger projects.

We keep our groups small to allow everyone to have some personal attention from the tutor. Our tutors are experienced felt makers from the local region as well as visiting tutors from other parts of Australia and the world. 

Places can fill fast so don't delay booking.


Upcoming workshops and skill shares

    • 13 May 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Scout Hall, Kett Street, Kambah (beside the Burns Club)
    • 7
    Register

     WORKSHOP 

    Add some pizazz to your wardrobe!

    Join a friendly group of feltmakers for a day to create a multi-coloured, ruffled felted scarf on a soft netting base. This scarf drapes beautifully and is fun to wear when you want a bit of slink in your day or evening. 

    You will learn wet felting techniques including how to use simple resists, working on a piece that is longer than the table, nuno felting onto netting and using cut work to create felt lace patterns.

    This scarf project is suitable for beginner to advanced feltmakers. The tutor will help you to work at your own level.

    The workshop materials kit includes plastic resist material, hand dyed pieces of prefelt and a scarf length of netting in your choice of colour wave.


    YOUR TUTOR: Jennie Curtis (NSW)

    Jennie is a retired landscape architect and former teacher who loves to explore and share new techniques for making, dyeing and printing felt. She is inspired by colour, form and landscapes. No two felt pieces are ever the same when Jennie is at the felting table!

    Self-described as 'the midnight felter', Jennie has exhibited her work in the CRF Rapt in Felt exhibitions and fashion parades since 2010, has been Champion of the Felt section at the Royal Canberra Show several times and contributor to three CRF online Canfelt Alongs.

    Jennie was editor of Felt magazine in 2014-2016 and is still a regular contributor.


    Other information

    Workshop level: Beginner to Advanced

    What's included in the fee: workshop materials pack and a one day workshop in small class. Note: you will need to bring along some felting equipment (see the list of requirements below).

    What to bring: please refer to the list of requirements to see what equipment you will need to bring with you on the day. 

    Backup plan if COVID restrictions are in force: if we are unable to run this workshop due to COVID restrictions, participants will be contacted and alternative arrangements will be made.

    Cancellations: see Workshop Terms and Conditions.

    • 10 Sep 2023
    • 3:00 PM
    • 14 Sep 2023
    • 9:00 PM
    • 242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson ACT Australia
    • 22
    Register


    You are invited on a journey of design on the Felt Road. Prepare to be inspired, share creative stories with fellow felt makers and embark on a road of discovery.

    Hosted by Canberra Region Feltmakers, Felt Road is the 2023 Southern Hemisphere Felters Convergence. It will be held over four days in Canberra, the beautiful national capital of Australia. There will be keynote speakers, felting demonstrations, mini workshops and a felting challenge.

    Catch up with felting friends and meet new ones. Learn new felting techniques and revisit some golden oldies. Dip into the Canberra region foodie wonderland, cool-climate wines and world-class art while you are here. Stay a little longer and soak in the sensory overload that is Floriade in Canberra.


    Program

    Felt Road begins with registrations in the afternoon on Sunday 10 September followed by welcome drinks.

    On Monday we get started on a four day program featuring keynote presentations by three textile artists: Helen MacRitchie, Sharon Peoples and Julie Ryder. In the tradition of Convergence, attendees are invited to volunteer to present and attend short sessions about all things felt during the four days. These might be demonstrations, mini workshops or talks.  Helen MacRitchie will also run short workshops about a special knotting technique that she uses in her felt making.

    A Traders Hall will give you a chance to add to your felting supplies and you can felt all night if you so desire in the Glasshouse.

    Just to spice it up a little, there will be a collaborative challenge – something fun that Canberra Region Feltmakers have been exploring over the last year and are keen to share with you. We are also planning a pop up fashion parade as part of the Felt Road Dinner on the final night (Thursday 14 September).

    See more about our keynote speakers.



    Venue

    The Pavilion on Northbourne is a late twentieth century hotel with rooms around two spectacular tropical atriums. There are plans to demolish and rebuild but in the meantime we are looking forward to enjoying the ambience and original glory of this building.

    The hotel is located on Northbourne Avenue, 8 minutes drive by car from the city centre and 11 minutes drive from Canberra Airport. It has free on-site parking and is located on the Canberra Light Rail line that runs between the city centre and Gungahlin Town Centre. 



    Accommodation options

    Convergence attendees and partners will organise their own accommodation. We have negotiated special Convergence accommodation rates for two hotels:

    Pavilion on Northbourne is the Convergence venue. Convergence rate for single or double room is $175/night. These rooms are clean and comfortable but a little older than some hotels in Canberra. This accommodation is very handy for people who want to felt all night in the Glasshouse. Breakfast is available from the café in the main atrium. https://pavilioncanberra.com.au/

    Deco Hotel is a newer hotel a few doors down from Pavilion on Northbourne. Convergence rate for single or double Lux King Room is $209/night. The Deco Hotel offers better accessibility for those with mobility challenges. https://decohotel.com.au/


    What is included

    Your Felt Road registration includes

    • Drink voucher and canapes on Sunday evening
    • Attendance at all Felt Road daytime sessions (Monday-Thursday)
    • Light lunches and all day tea and coffee (Monday-Thursday)
    • Access to Traders Hall
    • Starter pack of materials for Collaborative Challenge
    • Dinner on Thursday evening

    To register, complete the registration option on this page and pay the $100 deposit. The balance of the registration fee is due by 1 July 2023. The total registration fee is $650. People who were members of CRF on 1 January 2023 are eligible for a significant subsidy from CRF for their registration fee.



    Things to see and do in Canberra

    The Convergence venue is handy for exploring the city along with the Braddon and Dickson precincts which offer a variety of shopping and eating experiences.

    Members of Canberra Region Feltmakers are working on a list of their favourite secret places of Canberra to share with Convergence participants. In the meantime, the Visit Canberra website has plenty of information about places to go and things to do in the Canberra region. https://visitcanberra.com.au/

    Questions

    For more information, contact us.

Beginners

Workshops for beginners are run 2-3 times a year. If there are no beginners workshops listed, add yourself to our Beginners Feltmaking waitlist to receive an email when bookings for the next beginners workshop open.

Waiting list

If a workshop is full you can still use the workshop booking form to put your name on the waiting list. If places become available they are offered to people on the waiting list in the order their bookings were received.

Canberra Region Feltmakers Inc

Meetings:  Scout Hall, Kett Street Kambah, ACT

(next door to The Burns Club)

Post:  PO Box 455 Curtin ACT 2605

ABN: 16 718 242 055

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software