Many thanks to all who attended and made this a special event.

We thank everyone who has expressed concern about Fiona; she sprained her ankle fairly badly but is now safe and well with family before travelling home later this week.

We have just been notified that Kingswood School does not provide towels; would all delegates please bring towels for personal use.

For anyone already in transit to the UK, please don't panic. We will have a few spare to offer.

Weather advice - delegates attending Harriet Hill's and Melanie Bermingham's workshops are advised to wear warm clothing as these workshops will take place in the courtyard marquee.

Conference delegates are welcome to visit the student exhibition at Sion Hill Gallery. The gallery is less than a mile away, parking is available at the main entrance.

Extended opening hours are

• Wednesday - Friday: 8am to 6pm
• Saturday: 8am to 7pm
• Sunday: 9am to 6pm

(click on the image for a full-size map)

There are some spare places available on the trip to Bath Fashion Museum on Sunday afternoon 2pm - 5pm. If you are interested please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Payment of £15 may be made at registration on Thursday. The cost of £15 includes transport to/from the Museum, entry fee and audio guide. Luggage may be left at Kingswood School.

There have been a few minor changes to the timing of events and we have updated the Conference Programme.

We've added a PDF with a site map of Kingswood School and its location in Bath. You might want to find out where the school is using Google Maps.

To accompany this year's conference in Bath, a special exhibition has been organised by Bath School of Art & Design.

(click image for full size poster)

For delegates attending workshops there are some requirements (items to bring, clothes to wear, etc). These requirements are available as PDFs

• Yuli Somme's activity on Thursday
• Friday Workshops
• Saturday & Sunday workshops

Note that the requirements for the workshops on Friday, Saturday and Sunday lists one workshop per page so you can print just the page relevant to you.

The list of attendees for the workshops is in the Members Only section of the website - you will need to log in if you have not done so already.

The Marketplace

As an icebreaker at the start of the conference, there will be an opportunity to show off your work in the Day Room. This work can be for sale or just for show, so do feel free to bring along your creations - up to a maximum of five pieces as we do have only limited space. These will be displayed on arrival in an ad hoc arrangement, nothing formal. If space allows, selected items will remain on display throughout the conference. Please ensure that your work is clearly labeled with your name, details of materials and techniques along with the selling price if for sale. The IFA will take 15% commission on sales.

Leaving Your Mark

Delegates are also asked to contribute to 'Leaving Your Mark' which you may already have read about in Felt Matters or heard on the grapevine. The conference will host the first showing of this exhibition, next stop will be Wonderwool later in the month with the possibility of further outings in the future. The invitation is open to all IFA members.

The brief: produce a small sample using any felting technique no larger than 30cm in any direction with the theme 'Leaving Your Mark'. This can be interpreted in many ways, either on a personal or environmental level. Try to use locally produced fibres if you can, other materials can be incorporated too as long as they do not dominate the piece.  These 'flags' will be displayed using cord and 'posh pegs' like bunting - it is the intention that the 'bunting' will change, grow and inspire over the tour as pieces are sold and new work added.

Please securely attach a small label (no larger than postcard size) clearly written with your name, details of materials, techniques and inspiration and how long you have been making felt.  On a separate piece of paper please include your full contact details plus your artists price (commission will be added).  Please include a stamped addressed envelope if you would like your work returned.

Be inspired and leave your mark!

Registration for the conference has now closed.

Information for delegates will be posted here and on the Members Only pages by Friday, 9th March 2012. Please check back then.

Thursday, 12th April

• Afternoon: delegates arrive at Kingswood School.
• Opportunity to take part in an ongoing felting activity.
• Supper followed by two talks on British wool.

Friday, 13th April

• One whole day workshop for each delegate either at Bath Spa University or Kingswood School. Subjects covered will include colour & image onto cloth; site specific felting; needlepunch; pleating; millinery and costume.
• Supper at Kingswood School followed by an evening lecture with Heather Belcher.

Saturday, 14th April

• One morning workshop for each delegate.
• Afternoon AGM followed by tea and cakes.
• Free time to explore Bath
• Gala dinner with entertainment in the evening.

Sunday, 15th April

• One morning workshop for each delegate.
• Delegate departure with optional group visit to a Bath museum.

Programme subject to change at the discretion of the organising committee.

Update: a full programme will be posted shortly (9-Mar-2012)

The IFA Conference & AGM 2012

The 2012 Conference and AGM will be held in the beautiful city of Bath from Thursday April 12th to Sunday April 15th 2012 based at Kingswood School.

The theme of the Conference, 'Pushing Boundaries', will be reflected in the workshops and talks with an emphasis on techniques that will encourage delegates to experiment.

The final programme is being prepared and will be published in the December issue of Felt Matters and at the same time on the website, but to whet your appetite view the programme.

We hope to see you in Bath.

Liz Clay, Convenor

About the Venue.

Kingswood School is an independent senior school and provides shared accommodation (rooms for between 2, 3 or 4 people, but not bunk beds) and washing facilities including showers. Ground floor rooms are available for wheelchair access.

There is car parking on site, but see the page on Bath for information on getting to the venue by public transport.

Bath

If you decide to extend your stay in Bath, the Taking The Waters section of the page on Bath has information on what else there is to see and do in the city.