Felt & Stitch Art is an exciting new collaboration in mixed media textiles. Introducing the talented Felt-maker, Heather Potten as a guest tutor, learn how to make felt and embellish it with stitch techniques to produce a piece of totally unique wall art.
Course description
Felt & Stitch Art is a workshop of two distinct parts. Day 1 is led by Heather and will be an energetic, upbeat felt-making extravaganza. Day 2 will be more laid back as Jen Skedd (Textile Artist and owner of Artisan Stitch) will show you how you can take inspiration from the colours and textures of your felted piece. Add embellishment using stitching techniques such as hand embroidery, applique, beading, and couching.
Who is Felt & Stitch Art aimed at?
Level: Everyone. No previous felting or embroidery experience required.
What will I learn?
This workshop aims to teach you the basic techniques of Felt-making. Heather’s signature style involves the advanced technique of working with pre-felts. She will show you how to inlay pre-felts into your work to add textural interest and shape. These embellishments help to create a unique piece of textile art.
Day 1: led by Heather
fibre laying out techniques
layering loose fibres for colour gradation
wetting, rubbing and rolling fibres to start felting process
partial fulling to complete the creation of your pre-felt
incorporating pre-felt into your main piece
adding additional fibres for texture and colour
fulling and shaping the final piece
Day 2: led by Jen
Once your felt has dried overnight, Jen will help you interpret your fibre art in terms of stitch. This will be a day for relaxation and contemplation, for mindfulness and reflection as you slow-stitch your felt intuitively and watch it evolve into an abstract or semi-abstract landscape. This involves
consideration of the colours and textures of the felt to inspire an abstract or semi-abstract landscape.
-learning and applying different hand embroidery stitches
-using applique techniques with fabric scraps, lace, fancy yarns to decorate
-adding found objects from nature (e.g. twigs, shells, dried leaves, feathers)
Course arrangements
All materials will be provided but you may want to bring some of your own things (scraps of lace, yarns, or beads) to personalise your piece. There will be a break for lunch on both days (lunch not included).
Important note:
You will be working with wool fibres and using a wet felting method needing soap. If you have any sensitivities to either of these, please bring latex or nitrile gloves. The wet felting process involves standing at a table and is quite energetic. It is not recommended if you have any back or shoulder mobility issues.