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Canberra Region Feltmakers

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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

  • Basics and Beyond

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

     WORKSHOP 

    Ever wondered what felt is and how it is created?

    Canberra Region Feltmakers offers one day workshops for those new to the ancient art of wet felting.

    Participants will learn the basic skills of wet felting including: the process of felting, equipment required, planning, and designing a project, choosing fleece, understanding micron, how to select and apply embellishments, why wool shrinks, how to calculate fibre shrinkage and what makes strong felt. 

    This is a hands-on workshop.

    Each participant will make a piece of wool fabric incorporating a variety of fibres and embellishments.  The completed fabric piece may be used to create a special project.

    Demonstrations and examples are used throughout the workshop.

    YOUR TUTOR: Judy Davidson.

    Working with wool is very natural to Judy as she grew up on a sheep & cattle farm in northern NSW.

    Judy is fascinated by the science and art of felting and the many methods different felt makers use. As an active member of the Canberra Region Feltmakers for the past 15 years Judy has undertaken many roles within the group and has also witnessed the evolution of the felting process which we use today.

    Having worked in the textiles industry, it was a natural progression for Judy to venture into felt making which provides the perfect outlet for expressing her creativity and playing with colour.  

    Judy now concentrates on quality felt making to produce fine pieces and garments. For her 2023 entry into the Royal Canberra Show she was awarded Reserve Champion.

    Felt making is relatively inexpensive giving the maker a great degree of creative satisfaction. It is wonderful to see new members have fun and achieve exciting results.

    Other information

    Workshop level: 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 the 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 restrictions, participants will be offered an online alternative workshop using Zoom.

    Cancellations: see Workshop Terms and Conditions.

    Show details

  • Southern Hemisphere Felters Convergence 2023

    • 10 Sep 2023
    • 3:00 PM
    • 14 Sep 2023
    • 9:00 PM
    • 242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson ACT Australia
    • 7
    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.

    Show details

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

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