Ripple Vessels with Mandy Nash

3rd May 2012
(report by the tea lady)

The camel has a single hump;
The dromedary, two;
Or else the other way around.
I'm never sure. Are you?
Ogden Nash

This was the puzzle hotly debated by participants at the IFA Region 9 Ripple Vessels workshop with Mandy Nash. The day had begun early as Melanie, Mandy and Caroline cleared space in the studio in preparation for a small group of feltmakers and their large bags of equipment. Cups of tea were handed out as Mandy talked us through the development of her beautiful sculptural pieces on which carefully placed slashing reveals flashes of bright colour. Work on covering templates and layering in bands of colour with resists demanded a high level of concentration leaving Melanie free to concentrate on perfecting brews of weak tea, medium-strength tea, strong tea and builders’ tea, tea with ordinary milk, tea with goat’s milk, tea with soya milk and fruit tea to fuel the feltmakers.

The subsequent felting of Norwegian and Finn fibres required exertion which could only be relieved by lively chatter and more tea. Caroline, recently returned from Abu Dhabi, told us about Arabian camels decked in bling, Jane and Mandy recounted tales of the camel festival in Pushkar, Cilla, over from New Zealand for the workshop, told us about felting down under. The windows steamed up leaving the studio resembling a Turkish sauna and Melanie alternately operated the kettle to provide more tea and the microwave to heat felt pizzas.

As the vessels were beginning to take shape and to the evident relief of the feltmakers, Mandy announced it was time to locate the hidden band of colour and begin slashing. Care, precision, a ruler and more tea were needed to transform the flat surface to a 3D ripple of fins. Nina finished first and rewarded herself with a purchase from the gallery next door. Others opted to take theirs home to slash in quiet contemplation when mind and body had recovered from the felting.

With one last cup of tea and the camel puzzle still unsolved members wended their way back through the lanes, tired but happy and with a new technique under their feltmaking belts.

Mandy demonstrating Mandy demonstrating

Caroline's finished vessel Caroline's finished vessel

Nina's finished vessel Nina's finished vessel

This workshop was organised by IFA Region 9

IFA Region 9 welcomes students from all over the UK, Europe and the world to its workshops, which are held in or around Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK. For further information, please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01543 257749 or 07974 727616. Oh yes, and we do serve coffee as well. How would you like it?

Felting a Fleece Rug  with Ann Ross

19th April 2012

The workshop was held in a marquee set up in a barn, electric lights were hung from the roof of the marquee like fairy lights, a red carpet on the floor with ten tables set up for the participants.  The space was cosy and intimate and we were ready for anything – some brought wellies and others came equipped with waterproofs! Outside the rain fell and each time the barn door was opened the sound of thunder reverberated through.

Ann had brought samples of her own work, fleece rugs made from Cotswold and Shetland fleeces and samples of Herdwick made into bags. Fleeces of Shetland , Jacob, Hebridean, Manx Loughton and Black Welsh Mountain were assessed in their raw state prior to felting. A compact fleece is best with loose edges trimmed and felted with 2 to 3 layers of Shetland roving. We wetted each layer with soapy water and then again prior to rubbing and rolling. The wellies and waterproofs were not necessary with the strategically placed buckets and some team work in catching the odd waterfall!

The resulting rugs were varied from the short haired fleece of the Hebridean to the longer shaggy Welsh Mountain, from deep browns to creams of the Shetland and mixed colours of the Manx. Each fleece was different and after rinsing and drying so soft and rich to feel. The workshop was enjoyable and the effort in making the workroom functional and comfortable to work in was brilliant. It was great to see the various fleeces, to learn how to work with the raw fleece and to feel a little more confident in looking at fleeces with the view to using the raw wool. I would recommend this workshop to everyone interested in wool.

Sorting Fleeces Sorting Fleeces

Ann telling us about finished product Ann telling us about finished product

Nicki, Cathy and Cheryl laying out backing fibres Nicki, Cathy and Cheryl laying out backing fibres

Nicki dressing for felting in the marquee Nicki dressing for felting in the marquee

Cathy rolling Cathy rolling

Ann teasing out locks after felting Ann teasing out locks after felting

Sylvie's finished Texel felted fleece rugSylvie's finished Texel felted fleece rug

Angela McEwan

This workshop was organised by IFA Region 9

Pleated Scarves with Liz Clay

4th March 2012

The day started with look at various examples hand pleating and a discussion on how to use the effect in one's own designs, followed by a demonstration and some sampling before tackling the project.

Laying out started with a long thin strand of Merino fibre, then layering at right angles, bearing in mind how colours would work together, shrinkage and how much would be taken up in pleating. Fabrics could be trapped or laid on top to create a frill effect along with other embellishment and design.

The piece was then taken to the pre-felt stage and dried. Running stitch was sewn along the length in rows or in waves and the stitching pulled up. The piece was then carefully felted.

Before removing threads the piece must be completely dry which meant final finishing had to be done at home. It was an inspiring day, full of fresh ideas.

This workshop was organised by IFA Region 9

A Mittens and Glittens Workshop with Caroline Merrell

14th December 2011

This workshop was a great introduction to working with merino needlefelt to create a pair of mittens or glittens - a combination of fingerless glove and mitten. Caroline showed us first how to make a ruffle to decorate the mittens, then we sewed the two halves together and felted down the seams.
We spent a most companionable day learning, chatting and enjoying feltmaking; a welcome diversion from seasonal stress, plus the bonus of returning home with a handmade pair of Christmas mittens.

This workshop was organised by IFA Region 9

Nordic Wraps Workshop with Rosalind Johansson

29th November 2011

Rosalind showed us a selection of wraps to provide inspiration for our own creations and discussed different shapes and design ideas. Preparation of the applied decoration was key and decorative elements were needle felted in place onto needlefelt prior to wetting out. Patterns of slits and holes were cut later in the felting process and attention was given to healing cut edges and shaping to give a neat finish. Using the prefelt as a base gives more time for designing the decorative elements, although personally a large expanse of prefelt is rather daunting but I would certainly have another go!

This workshop was organised by IFA Region 9