My First Felt Making Class!

Last night I attended the first of the 3 felt making classes I'd signed up for at The ArtSpace in York.

I made these!

First Piece:
And the second piece.



They are made from Merino tops on a base of white cotton sliver tops. All I have to say is felt making is amazing! Its addictive as well, so as soon as I've saved up enough I'm going to get some wool tops and start making it at home! It does use rather a lot of wool but if I save I should be able to start making some soon.

Apparently Felting is a particularly ancient way of making fabric and has thought to have been around for for several thousand years.

Felt is made of wool fibres that has been compressed with heat and agitation. Wool has natural tiny 'scales' on its fibres and when these are rubbed together they sort of latch onto each other and as you work it it shrinks down into a matted sheet. The use of pressured abrasion - rubbing - is very important. Its what happens when you put a wool jumper in the washing machine at a hot temperature!

Apparently the best wool to use is Merino - I believe this is an Austrailian breed of sheep?

There is a very good tutorial here on felt making - Its not exactly the same method I've been taught but it is detailed and has clear instructions with pictures.

Some of the others were making felt beads - Balls of wool fibre, wettened and rolled into a tightly packed ball.

This is a great technique and has visible results really quickly!It can be made into all sorts of things and doesn't fray when you cut it.

I'm going to use the pieces I made last night as the base for some stitch and bead samples in my sketchbook.

I'll see if I can take my camera next week and take some 'in progress' shots!