Feltmaker 7 our own felted banner

An enormous thank you

must go to Joke who took on the job of assembling all the felted 'medieval' tiles made earlier in the year. September was its maiden outing. It looked splendid hanging in the doorway to guide participants into the new venue at St James Middle School, Bury St Edmunds.

It has been a great team effort so thanks to you too!

Workshop with Marietta Alker 4 & 5th September 2010

at last some photos from our workshop with Marietta (I did intend to up load a slide show of all the photo's but I haven't been able to work out how to do it). The was popular from the outset and booked up so fast that, as many of you already know, we arranged a repeat workshop the following day. Feedback was good and participants enjoyed themselves experimenting with techniques for creating a variety of textures on 3D vessels.

IFA Banner

We have just received an IFA Banner for use at demonstrations and other events where we are representing the IFA.
Contact one of use if you would like to borrow it then we will sort out the logistics of passing it on to you.
Deborah and Heidi

Valenki

I just have to pass this web site on. It shows aspects of the production of Valenki, traditional felted East European boots.
www.muse.lt/keliones/kaip-gimsta-veltinia-foto-reportaas

Kentwell weekend 2010 - photo's

What a greeting!

Action Stations

collection of felt tiles on my floor!

detail of some of the felt tiles

Wool combing - just look at those teeth!

Kentwell Hall Wool Weekend 5/6th June 2010

We had a fab two days at the Kentwell Hall Wool Weekend. It was perhaps a little too hot on Saturday so we worked in the shade, the temperature was perfect on Sunday and we managed to avoid the one major downpour. Lunch was cooked to perfection by Chrystoff the chef and we were able to make hot drinks whenever we wanted one.
It was great to meet up with the Lavenham Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers who also enjoyed working alongside us. They hope to return the invitation by including us in their marquee at the Hadleigh Show.
We also mixed in with the Tudor wool workers who were there.
Work on our group Medieval Tile Project gathered pace and we have a volunteer to assemble the hanging. We were able to teach two or three people the rudiments of feltmaking and to encourage children to make a ball! One person came all the way from Hertforshire just to see us!!!!
Some of us were taught how to use wool combs. A far superior way of preparing wool which is quite different from carding. Apparantly this technique it was used to prepare fine wool for spinning into knitting yarn for the complex, waterproof, knitted fishermans jumpers and to weave worsted cloth.
Thanks to everyone who came and helped to make it such a lovely weekend.
I'll post some photos soon.
Deborah

felted installation

WOW - just look at this wonderful installation by Elis Vermeulen, visual artist from Holland
www.elisvermeulen.wordpress.com
if only I had made it!

Miss Fitt

I like the way this web site has been presented and the felt work is good too!
www.missfitt.com

Wool Weekend Kentwell Hall 5/6th June 2010

I've just realised that June is fast approaching and I haven't mentioned anything about this weekend on our blog.
We already have 7 or 8 felters each day and a similar group of spinners, weavers and dyers from the local Lavenham Guild.
Hopefully the weather forecast will be right and we will have another sunny time, relaxing, doing the things we love in like minded company.
If you want to come either or both days let me know by 28th May so I can arrange entry and lunch (use the feltmakers email address above)
hope to see you there
Deborah

Marietta Alker - 4th September 2010

We are now taking members bookings for a workshop using 3D resists to make interesting seamless shapes and to add unusual textures

with Marietta Alker

in Bury St Edmunds

on 4th September 2010

members £31

non-members £36

non-members will be invited to reserve places next week (22nd May 2010)

Mongolian Felt Maker

At the IFA AGM a couple of years ago I met a lovely Mongolian woman who was here to teach and to learn. She now has her own web site. You may like to have a look www.feltmongolia.mn

show and tell - we had a great time!

Last Saturday we thoroughly enjoyed and learnt a lot from the wide variety of felted work that we brought to show and discuss with each other.

A BIG thank you to Jean and her husband who travelled a long way to bring us a variety of fleece which she had washed and offerred to us for a small donation to Essex Wildlife Trust. Jean had planned to spend the whole day with us but unexpectedly had to rush off. Hopfully, now she has met us, we will see her at future felting events.

"We were all completely blown away by Isobels wrap and Doreens Green Man.

Inspired by the colours and textures of an oyster shell
you can see how Isobels experience in design has impacted on this piece.

The green man will soon be part of a large wall hanging being assembled for Cressing Temple Barns by her weavers, spinners and dyers guild."

We marvelled at each others work, swapped ideas and gave encouragement. Not suprisingly it was the problems which gave rise to the most discussion!

"This hat and scarf were brought along for advice. The makers were not acheiving their desired results. Funny how we are our own worst critics. Hopefully we were helpful!"

Needle felting and samples of felt made from different fleece. Gosh cashmere is soft!

"Hat, napkin rings, fascinating flowers and a scarf used to develop previously learnt skills."

We heard about the challenges of the city and guilds courses;

Inspired by brickwork Diana brought a 'small' selection of samples

she has been making for her City and Guilds Part II.

She has been unbelievably prolific and creative.

I'll never look at a brick in the same light again!

We discussed the way forward for our group;

• Deborah and Heidi are happy to continue as joint regional coordinators.
• workshops already planned, wishes and requests (just a few details still to be resolved - see future post)
• we will keep Bury St Edmunds as our main venue but if other venues and someone willing to organise it can be identified they will be considered. Home groups to be encouraged.
• a small group has agreed to explore and take forward the much discussed idea of exhibiting
• members are keen to be able to promote the group to potential members and at outside events. To ask IFA for more leaflets, to loan the IFA banner and to purchase our own business cards with contact information.
• Deborah and Heidi are willing and able to be a conduit for any information which individual members would like to be distributed to the rest of the group.
• we have a healthy bank balance. We are no longer required to donate regional money to HQ.
  

With Gill's guidance, we finished off the day felting a flower over our thumbs.

thanks to Anne for the photo's,

we are sorry we could not include everyone

thank you all for sharing your skills; knowledge and experience.

felt flowers

On thursday 25th February 2010 Inger Maaike posted a blog tutorial on making felt flowers. You might like to have a go : www.ingermaaike.nl/index.php

recent web links

Hi all, I have recently added a few more links to different felt making sites - there is one I am especially impressed by - guess which one it is!

Frilly Scarves/ Show and Tell

the repeat "Frilly Scarves" workshop with Heidi will be held on 27th March 2010 at St. Johns Meeting House, St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds
AND ....
don't forget the "Show and Tell" meeting on 10th April 2010 which will be held at All Saints Church Hall, Park Road, Bury St Edmunds.

both meetings start at 10.00 am and finish at 4.00 pm.

Felt as a symbol of world unity

I have just got wind of a really positive world-wide felt project - Peacefelt.



The organisers say the vision is to "connect every country in an energetic circle of peace, unconditional love and gratitude. For peace to be 'felt' in hearts across the world."



The process of making and the finished felt product is used as a symbol of untity, that brings together different strands of society in the modern world .



If you would like to find out more visit http://www.peacefelt.org/
They also have a blog www.peacefelt.blogspot.com

IFA news

We have just learnt that all members are to be issued with a user name and password so they can log onto the IFA web site and access the members area which includes news and discussion boards.
If you want this facility early than it arrives, contact the web master who's email address is webmaster@feltmakers.com

Did you know that IFA has negotiated

• a 10% discount for members with Wingham Wool. You need to send the address sheet which comes with your feltmatters with your order
• reduced 6 month discount to 'Selvedge' magazine (www.selvedge.org)

Bead and Textile Fair

Thanks to Sue Scheller for letting us know that a Bead and Textile Fair will be held in Norwich from 10.00 and to 4.30 pm on Sunday 25th April 2010
the admission cost is £5.00 and is by ticket only
for more details ring 01508 494750 or email norwichbeadfair@aol.com

Ewa Kuniczak - Workshops in Norfolk

we were going to contact Ewa Kuniczak to ask if she would come to run a workshop with us but, on further investigation find that she is already coming to East Anglia in May this year!
on 21st May 2010 - "Precious Purses with poetic licence"
on 22/23rd May 2010 - "Light, space and structure"
in North Walsham, Norfolk
for more information visit www.feltheadtotoe.co.uk.workshops.htm

Frilly Scarves with Heidi

Arangements for the next frilly scarves worshop have now been finalised (sorry for short notice, we really have had a problem with finding a venue).
It will be held 10.100 am to 4.00 pm on Saturday 27th March 2010,
at the Friends Meeting House, St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds.
There are a few places left but the workshop is almost full already!

Hat Workshop with Caroline Lawrence February 2010

At our most recent workshop we found Caroline Lawrence a generous and attentive tutor. It was great to be able to see and examine her examples and we learnt a lot from our successes and our mistakes.

We were pleased with the results and, as it has been so cold, I have been wearing mine all day, even in the house!

Book Review - "Felting Fashion" by Lizzie Houghton

Thanks to Sue Scheller for writing a review of the latest Lizzie Houghton book:

"I've long admired Lizzie Houghtons work, her new book has been long awaited and I am really thrilled. Its full of her wonderful use of colour/ design. The first book to be published in this country including such exciting seamless jackets.
Its a real inspiration!"

Sue says there are lots of other good reviews of her book on Amazon - why not have a look?

Do you have a good feltmaking book you can tell us about?

Kentwell Hall 5th and 6th June 2010

Great News - around a dozen of the local Weavers, Spinners and Dyers group will be joining us at Kentwell hall in June this year. Jean Rogers (chairperson) tells me they are very enthusiatic and really looking forward to coming along. I hope we will give them a good welcome and be able to match their eagerness! It should be good fun.
Jean has also extended an invitation to join their group at one of their meetings. The next one is 8th March 2010 at the Guildhall in Bury St Edmunds

Any ideas?

Since learning that Faith Roper cannot come this year we are looking round for another tutor to come to region 7. All suggestions would be welcome - please comment below so everyone can see your suggestions or email direct.

City and Guilds

Several members from Region 7 have studied or are currently studying for a City and Guilds in Feltmaking. It would be great to hear more about your experiences .... please share that with us by posting a comment below.

workshop possibility - your advice needed!

NB: SADLY FAITH CANNOT MAKE A WORKSHOP THIS YEAR AFTER ALL

WE ARE TRYING TO ARRANGE SOMETHING FOR 2011

We have the option of inviting Faith Roper to run a two day workshop and need to know if this would be of interest to you before we go ahead and make arrangements.

Please have a look at the internet to find out more about her work - see links opposite. She is currently working on fabric cut to sew into garments and felted to enhance the shape. She also has a wealth of other skills and experience we could draw on.

Workshop costs would be approximately £55 for the two days

Let us know what you think either by commenting below or by emailing us at feltmakers7@yahoo.co.uk


added to post on 21.1.2010
we have had a very good response to this proposal by email and so are seeking dates when Faith might be available. Watch this space!

COMING UP ------- 2010-------COMING UP

For more details contact us at feltmakers7@yahoo.co.uk

HAT MAKING with CAROLINE LAURENCE Saturday 20th February 2010 All Saints Church Hall, Bury St Edmunds £20 members £25 non members SORRY THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL

a basic hat making workshop with applied surface decoration and, for more experienced felt-makers, consideration of how to make patterns for different shapes and to manipulate and "sculpt" different designs.

SHOW AND TELL followed by BROOCHES Saturday 10th April 2010 All Saints Church Hall, Bury St Edmunds FREE to members £3 to non members

Everybody to bring either one felted item that they have completed; something about which you would like the advice of the group or a book you think other might find of interest to the rest of the groups. Gill Farlam will then show us how to make two different brooches in the way that she was taught by Helen Melvin last summer.

DEMONSTRATION / FELT MAKING DAY Saturday and Sunday 5/6th June 2010- either or both days! Kentwell Hall, Long Melford FREE to all - includes lunch and entry (so you can have a look round the house and gardens if you wish)

Another opportunity to felt out of doors, and share our love of felt with any members of the public who pass by. Last year we all worked to a shared theme – what we do this year is open for discussion. Bring along some of your felted items for an informal display. We have invited the local spinners, weavers and dyers guild along too. So there should be chance for some interesting networking and sharing of ideas. We can accommodate as many people that want to come but we do need to know your intentions in order to book lunch. We had great weather last year – keep your fingers crossed.

FRILLY SCARVES Heidi McEvoy-Swift venue yet to be arranged date either 20th March tbc £15 members - £20 non members

Due to popular demand Heidi has offered to repeat her very successful workshop teaching how to make her very distinctive frilly scarves. For those who came to the last workshop, if you want to come along again she will show you how to make more frills!

Christmas Tree Decorations 2008

Managed it at last!
Here are the photos of the Christmas Tree Ornaments we swapped in 2008
I hope you like them!