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HOLLOW FELT OBJECTS – from simple to complex architecture, Dagmar Binder
24 October - 27 October
level: basic knowledge of felting required
In this workshop we want to explore hollow felted forms and the wonderful variety of shapes you can achieve by paying attention to details in fiber combination, layout and composition of resists.
You should have at least basic felting knowledge, but don’t need to be a very experienced felter. We will proceed from easy and to more complex versions and you can improve your skills step by step.
Day 1 we will start with a simple resist for poppy seedpods and discover how you can change the character of each pod by only slight modifications of your initial setting. You can create a whole family of similar, but still very individual objects.
Day 2 will be dedicated to so called differential shrinkage. Applying small or higher amounts of wool in specific sections of our objects, will cause more or less shrinkage during the felting process. This way you can prepare interesting deformations and receive quiet a different felt object from the same type of resist.
Day 3, let’s go on and see what we can do with connecting several hollow forms. We will have a closer look at resists and how to assemble them to create a more complex 3-dimensional architecture. This requires some spatial thinking, because we have to start our layout in flat position and can unfold the hollow chambers only after fairly good prefelting. The big surprise comes with opening the structure, followed by compacting and shaping the last details.
Finally, day 4, we will take a look at book-resists and discover how you can expand dimensionality of a hollow object by using a template with several pages.
Working on rather small objects will make the felting process rather easy. It requires precision but not too much physical strength. You can look forward to a playful and experimental workshop that will draw your attention to many fine technical details of felting which can be useful for all kind of felt projects, vessels, hats, sculptures as well as decorative details for wearables.