In this workshop we want to explore various felting techniques for 3 dimensional felt pieces.
After an experimental phase you will design your own personal wallhanging and realize it step by step. Felt is a wonderful material for decorative interior design, brings warmth into the room and has a sound absorbing effect.
As a special feature, this time we want to focus on the combination of 2 or 3 pieces that will go together in one installation. On one hand, this will make the felting process a bit easier for you, not having to full one large and heavy piece, and we can e njoy discovering many different ways of how several pieces can communicate with each other. Hanging more than one object together on one wall, they will start to “talk” to each other and the space in between becomes part of the installation. Based on many years of experience and skills in sculptural felting I will give advice and support with choosing suitable techniques and guide you through the felting process.
You may use wool of your own production or locally prevalent wool types and discover a good way to value their quality. In 2022 we already did some investigation in this field and created a sample book with a variety of wool combinations. This can help you to get an idea of felt quality and textures that can be achieved with several wool types.
Students who prefer to use other types of wool are of course welcome, too, and can do the same with their favourite materials or types of fibres they are not familiar with so far and want to
do more investigations in this direction.
In general I’d recommend to combine batts and tops, short fibered fleece for the body of the felt and the long fibers of combed sliver to define stability and shape.