Do you struggle to know how or where to start when making a piece of felt art? Maybe you have a few ideas or maybe you don’t!!! It doesn’t matter. This 3 session workshop will help you throw away your fears. There are no rules…..just some good starting blocks and hints to help you on your felt journey. It’s about enjoying the process. Sarah will help you convert your ideas into reality. Spend your time learning an array of ideas that can be used within your artwork. From simple pre-felts to more complex nuno felts Sarah will show you how to take simple ideas to the next level. Although this class is aimed at those with previous knowledge the day is also suitable for beginners wishing to learn more about wet felting. You will be able to work at your own pace and with Sarah’s guidance produce a series of samples that will inform your decisions for your final piece of felt artwork. Sarah will be sharing her personal approach and the techniques she uses in her own work.
The break between the Friday sessions will give you time to develop your ideas and hopefully practise some of the techniques learnt.
Day 1 - will be about exploring the basic felt making techniques used in felt collage including a variety of pre-felts. You will learn about soft and firm pre-felts and how to use their properties to define your work. Combing pre-felts and fabric to raise the surface will be looked at. Shape, colour, depth and composition will be part of the discussion. There will be plenty of time for feedback and group sharing. Examples will be shown for all stages.
Day 2 – will be about learning some of the principles of composition to produce a finished design. Sarah will cover more ideas from Golden Ratios and Fibonacci to how to make compositions that have movement or stillness.
Day 3 – During the previous two sessions you will hopefully have had a chance to practise some of the techniques and be ready with an inspiration to create a piece of felt art. Working individually, you will be building up you work to produce a cohesive abstract piece, which, time permitting you will finish on the day. There will be tips and techniques to help you on your journey together with discussions on finishing, future work, mounting etc.
Sessions: Friday 20 September, Friday 4 October and 11 October, 10am-4pm
Tickets: £200/£180 (all materials included in the price.)
Tutor: Sarah Waters
Sarah is a textile artist with a passion for felt making that originates from her love of sheep. Living in the New Forest her work reflects her desire to connect with nature and the importance of sustainability. She produces work that is not only functional but has colour, texture and a tactile quality. Sarah has been spinning weaving and dyeing her own fleeces for over thirty years. Having graduated in Agriculture she set up and ran her own company, producing yarn and knitting kits from her own flock of several hundred Rare Breeds of sheep.
Feltmaking was a natural progression and Sarah now has over twenty years of experience in teaching this ancient craft. She currently runs her own textiles business teaching, exhibiting in the UK and internationally and selling her work though galleries and online. Sarah is a member of the Society of Designer Craftsman and regional co-ordinator for the International Feltmakers Association
