Author: Media Manager

Welcome to Discovery Days 2023

These sessions are skills and techniques that we have found to work with the particular nuances of felt. This is by no means an exhaustive course on dyeing & printing let alone Shibori, but they achievable at home without too much expense. We are not experts but these are the discoveries we have made using […]

Hello - Although you are a Feltwest Member - Discovery Days 23 is an extra paid progam for members.   If you chose to purchase Discovery Days you will have access to the Discovery Days 23 sessions for as long as you are a Feltwest Member.  If your membership has lapsed and you renew your access to Discovery Days 23 will be reinstated.  {products}

Preparation

Read me first! All the tools, equipment and materials you will need to start. Check back often to make sure you have everything you need.

This is only available to members.

Hot Processing & Cold Processing

There are two ways to make dye baths; hot and cold. Both have pros and cons. Added to this, there are several choices in the receptacle used for dyeing. Hot Processing Dye Baths Hot processing is what springs to mind when thinking about dyeing – like making a “stock” of your plant materials by chopping […]

This is only available to members.

Shibori Dashboard

These sessions cover the 4 broad Shibori areas. Binding, Stitching, Folding & Wrapping.

This is only available to members.

Mordants

There are many people who are experts in Mordants, we do not profess to be among them, but here is what we know now. We may delve deeper into mordants in a later program What are Mordants help chemically fix colour to fabric. Different fabric require different mordants. Many traditional ones like seaweed, urine, tannin […]

This is only available to members.

Discovery Days

Play Explore Learn

Starting March 2025

Elemental Felt – Borrowed from Boro.
Upcycled repurposed felt.

I recently had a wardrobe clean out. Not one of those gentle wafts through the hangers where two, maybe three items are released from their bonds. No, I mean a full dismantling of apparatus followed by ruthless culling. What I discovered is that I had 33 – yes 33 – pieces of wearable felt. Many I had completely forgotten about. A quandary ensued. We invest so much time and energy into making felt that it is very hard to part with it – even if you haven’t worn it for years.

What to do? I always think about recycle, redesign, reuse, reshape, or repair but I needed some design inspiration. Whenever I need design inspiration I usually turn to Japanese culture for advice. And, as usual it didn’t fail me.

Japanese culture as a very long history of recycling; ideas like Kintsugi and Boro. Kintsugi is the art of highlighting repairs of porcelain and china with bold gold, and similarly Boro is the continual patching and re-patching clothing but not hiding it, rather, embracing it. The repaired clothing was often over stitched for strength with beautiful patterns of running stitch – collectively called Sashiko. The idea was born – I am going to redesign my felt.

I then realised I had more than wearables to recycle – I had a stack of samples from workshops , UFOs from good intentions and disasters to learn from.  All waiting to be reborn.  Don’t have a stash of ready made felt?  Not a problem.  Make sample sizes and try out the plethora of felting techniques we know – maybe we’ll invent some new ones!

Throughout 2025 we will do just that: recycle, redesign, reuse, reshape, reinvent, or repair any felt we have in our stashes, along with our growing sample stash.  With some simply hand stitching we will construct a new wearable in the size of your choosing – from a scarf to a jacket you chose.

Onion Skin Bath

One of the easiest and cheapest dye baths to start with is a simple onion skin bath. Try this one first.

This is only available to members.

Markets – 4. Your Current Inventory Downloads

Please download your inventory file – it is a Word documentCheck the code on your stock tagCheck the quantityPlease mark stock that has been sold elsewhere in redDo NOT alter the list orderSave and email back to Markets Co-ordinator – feltwest.markets@gmail.com VimolDownload SueEslickDownload LizDownload JillDownload CyndaDownload SueMaderDownload sharnDownload JudithWDownload fleurDownload claireDownload SueEspieDownload MarionDownload JoDownload dinyDownload […]

To access this you must purchase Feltwest Membership or Membership Renewal.

Image downloads

KatrinaDownload AlisonDownload ClaireDownload CyndaDownload DinyDownload FleurDownload MichelleDownload NancyDownload PetaDownload SharnDownload Sue EspieDownload ValerieDownload JoDownload LizDownload VimolDownload Sue EslickDownload MaureenDownload KatDownload SoosieDownload

To access this you must purchase Feltwest Membership or Membership Renewal.

WA Suppliers

The following businesses in Perth region sell wool and other fibres, fabrics and equipment suitable for felting (to avoid disappointment, check individual suppliers for opening times or ring for appointment) Country Chics Creations https://countrychickscreations.com/ BILBY YARNS – Shop 2, 6 Harrison Street, Willagee, WA 6156.  Ph: 08 9332 8818  Bilbyarn@tpg.com.au  www.bilbyyarns.com.au TREETOPS COLOUR HARMONIES – […]

To access this you must purchase Feltwest Membership or Membership Renewal.