We received some sad news just before Christmas that one of our Life members has passed away. Val was instrumental in setting up a felting group in Bunbury and helping Feltwest evolve int the amazing organisation we have today. There is an article here with more of the story.

Whilst Val hadn’t attended many meetings in the last few years she is remembered fondly by those who knew her and as felters well owe her our thanks.

GILMOUR (Valerie): Passed away peacefully at SJOG Hospital Bunbury on 24.9.2019. Dearly beloved wife of Jim (dec). Loved mother of Ian and Jean, mother-in-law of Rosie and Craig.

Report by Cynda Empsall

MINI DEMO

Peta Korb gave a Mini Demo on making Christmas decorations using wet and needle felting techniques in time for our fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis in November.

Peta demonstrated:

• Wet Felting with Resist
  • Stocking
  • Baubles
• Needle Felting
  • Snowman
  • Santa
  • Elves

Pointers from Peta

• Turn mistakes into design changes!
• The enzymes in saliva and milk will remove blood and red wine from fabric and wool.

• Wet Felting
  • To make baubles, lay wool diagonally over resist. 
  • Once resist is removed, you can cut soft plastic into strips and stuff it into the form using a chop stick.

• Needle Felting
  • No need to force the needle, do it gently in all aspects and angles
  • Stab in and out on the same angle, gently.
  • With making balls, tie a knot with wool to give firm base.  Do several knots to bulk out and establish a firm base and larger size.
  • Use darning needle to remove wool that’s not in the right place
  • Blend colours, just like paint.
  • You can use scissors to cut wool and to cut prefelt into shape.

FELTING NEWS

• Soosie greeted everyone and detailed upcoming events in particular her Art of Adornment workshop on 5 -6 October.
• Martien spoke about her Expanding the Surface workshop on 2-3 November 2019.
• Martien talked about the Royal Show, thanking members for their contributions to the FeltWEST stand in the Centenary Pavilion and explaining display opportunities and obligations.
• Soosie discussed the website and suggested people send any interesting upcoming exhibitions or events to Cynda at cyndaje@yahoo.com or Liz at info@feltwest.org.au.
• Soosie made suggestions to members as to how they can assist at and after meetings – many hands make light work!
  • Taking notes at Toss N Tell
  • Sweeping up
  • Taking rubbish out
  • Dishes etc. 
• Soosie mentioned the Christmas wind up would be at the November meeting.  No meeting in December!

TOSS N TELL

• Renita Mroz and Sue Espie showed vessels made at Pam Hovel’s Earthy Felted Vessels workshop.
• Liz Odd mentioned the Mundaring Arts Centre (MAC) Exhibition encouraging members to attend
• Katrina Virgona also recommended visiting the MAC exhibition. She showed seeds, pods she’d been making, and which are featured in the current edition of Felt magazine.
• Jill Jodrell talked about the Kings Park crocheted floral arrangements at the botanical gardens.

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OCTOBER 2019 – Report by Renita Mroz + Sara Quail

Soosie opened the workshop by talking about the importance of connecting with what we love and bringing this passion into our work.  She stressed that it is the stories behind our work that makes them truly resonate with us, transporting us in time and place and connecting us with others. 

Soosie brought along her award-winning Campfire Beanie and read the story that had inspired it to demonstrate this.  Participants had been invited to bring along something that they loved as a starting point for their work over the weekend.

During the first day of the workshop Soosie talked about exploring design themes then went on to demonstrate transfer printing, stenciling, direct painting onto felt and masking as well as the use of embossing powder.  Participants then had the opportunity to explore these techniques on felt samples, vessels and other finished items they’d brought along.

The second day of the workshop started with a bit of bling – applying foil to felt.  Soosie demonstrated ways to achieve a variety of stunning effects with foil sheets, from subtle to seriously shiny.  

During the day she covered more design theory including the magic of numbers. Using odd numbers, Fibonacci and fractals and how these also occur in nature. 

Another transfer technique with fabric crayons was explored creating more wonderful surface design options. 

Stitching and beading methods were covered in the afternoon with Soosie demonstrating 4 of her favoured stitches and a few beading basics.  Participants then spent a relaxing afternoon continuing to embellish their various felt pieces. 

Interspersed with all the various surface design techniques and theory, Soosie also shared tips on laying out, fulling and shrinkage. Participants finished this workshop armed with an arsenal of techniques and samples to give them embellishment ideas for a long time to come.  

SEPTEMBER 2019 – Report by Peta Korb

August 30, 2019 saw the start of a three-day workshop with Pam Hovel who is an accomplished innovative textile artist living in rural Victoria. Her work is influenced by her surrounding as can be seen in her choice of wool, colours and methods in her Earthy Felted Vessels.

Over the three-day workshop participants were treated to the delights of felting with Pam, who gave clear instructions and offered continuous guidance throughout each day. Starting with the drafting of patterns for vessels, Pam also covered different layout techniques and a variety of surface design elements through to the finer points of finishing each piece.

Pam was a delightful tutor, generous in her time and teaching of her techniques ensuring everyone created several unique vessels they can be proud of, showcasing all the techniques learned over the three days.

The techniques and extra tips Pam gave throughout the three days were exactly what everyone wanted based on their comments:

• Just what I needed to learn
• The perfect workshop for me, I have wanted to know how to create precise vessels for a long time
• These are the techniques I need to take my felt work further

The venue was exactly what you want for a retreat, the food was very tasty and made with love, the accommodation worked a treat.

I think we all agreed, we had a great time felting and laughing and enjoying ourselves doing what we love, felting.

Pictures of attendees at various times over the 2019 Retreat

Retreat 2019

Not quite all of us at the retreat were in these photo’s, and if you would like me to add some photo’s you took please send them to info@feltwest.org.au and I will add to our slide shows.

Katrina Virgona gave the workshop which enthralled us all.

Some of the work produced at the retreat 2019. We had a lot of fun and did a lot of work too.

Circular Cobweb Scarves, tutor Sara Quail- report by Renita Mroz

Apologies for very late reporting on Sara Quail’s wonderful one-day workshop on Circular Cobweb Scarves.

These lightweight scarves, made using a resist and one-directional wool layout, are both beautiful and versatile. 

Sara was, as ever, super organised and prepared and brought along a wide range of samples to be studied, admired and tried on. 

During the workshop, Sara demonstrated three techniques for layout of the fibres:

Rubbing with hands or felting tools began the felting process while protecting the delicate fibres from moving about.  Only once the fibres were stable could rolling begin.  With no cross fibres, it was a surprisingly lengthy process!

The end results, however, were lovely.  Thanks, Sara, for a great workshop.

Mini-workshop

Martien van Zuilen instructed us today on the principles of using inclusions to create interesting raised surfaces. She also demonstrated making a multi-layered ‘bowl’ utilising multiple resists.

Inclusions placed between layers of wool create a raised surface and can be left in or cut into to reveal the underlying wool colours.

Examples of inclusions include felt balls or other shapes, pre-felted cord, cotton wadding, rubber pieces, resist pieces (eg thin circles of hollow pool noodle or water pipe insulation foam).

Lay out 2 perpendicular layers of wool tops.

Place inclusions on top then cover with a piece of 2-layer pre-felt.

Wet down and rub gently until fully felted, then cut into if desired .

Multiple or stacking resists can be used to create a joined stack of ‘bowls’.

Lay out a square of pre-felt and wet down the central area.

Place a circular piece of foam resist over the wet area, cover the resist and just beyond with wool tops and wet down.

Place a second smaller piece of resist on top and continue the process making several layers of resists and wool tops.

Finally, place a square of pre-felt (same size as bottom piece) on top, wet down, rub gently until holding together well, then cover with grip mat and roll around a dowel or noodle, checking regularly to flatten out any ridges.

Once the piece is reasonably well felted, pick up the top layer above the centre of the resist, pinch and cut a small cross.

Use hands to further firm the top layer.

Remove the resist and continue felting until hardening up and gaining the required shape. Repeat for the other layers.

Thanks Martien for demonstrating a technique that we will all want to explore!

News and Update

Welcome to everyone, including new members.

The Muresk Retreat was a great success thanks to Katrina Virgona for her wonderful workshop and presentation and for being so generous with her time. Sue Harrington was thanked for organising the event.

Workshops coming up are Eva Camacho-Sanchez’ Beyond Felting – Creating Textured Surfaces from 17-19 July (1 place left) and her artist’s talk in collaboration with WAFTA at 7pm on 16 July at Craft House, $5 entry. Wendy Bailye’s 50 Shades of Grey is from 2 to 4 August (full contact Renita to be put on Wait List) and her artist’s talk is on 1 August, details to be advised. Pam Hovel’s Earthy Felted Vessels is from 30 August to 1 September ( 1 place left) and there will be an artist’s talk open to all.

FeltWEST will have a stall at the WA Craft and Woodwork Show from 2-4 August. Jill Jodrell and Jan Stroud are organising the stall which will focus on promoting felting through education and demos, while attracting new members. Volunteers are needed for morning and afternoon shifts, with free entry provided to volunteers. Please see the website for contact details for Jill and Jan. Members are asked to provide felted items for display, but not for sale.  http://www.feltwest.org.au/events/wa-craft-show-2019/

We are looking forward to participating at the Royal Show (28 September to 5 October) with a large stand in the WA Pavilion. Martien van Zuilen, Peta Korb, Marion Finneran, Jean McKenzie and Margaret Bryan are on the sub-committee. The stall will be an exhibition with all work for sale, and a promotion for felting and FeltWEST. All members are encouraged to submit well-felted items which must be predominantly made of felt. A flat fee of $25 is payable and a commission of 20% (15% to Royal Show and 5% to FeltWest) will be charged. Those submitting work are required to work two 6-hour shifts and will receive free entry. Information and forms are available on the website. Works can be handed in on 17 August at TnT, Tuesday group on 3 September, 21 September TnT or by delivering items to members of the sub-committee and must be labelled, priced and accompanied by completed forms. Please get busy and starting felting for the Show! http://www.feltwest.org.au/events/feltwest-will-be-at-the-perth-royal-show-2019-september-28-to-october-5/

Ideas are coming together for a fundraising project to be undertaken later in the year, with details to follow.

Special events at the 17 August monthly meeting will include the AGM and Trash and Treasure stalls, so please make sure you come along.

Memberships are due to be renewed on 1 July. Please pay promptly via the website. http://www.feltwest.org.au/membership/

Toss and Tell

Renita showed her gorgeous sea-coloured top made at May Hvistendahl’s workshop, as well as fine rounded bowls decorated with feathers/beading and with seaweed. A more substantial ‘bowl’ become a hat with a beautifully felted tassel.

Virginia had made 3 scarves at the Retreat in blues and greens. For one, she had used a wool and silk ‘slushie’ (available from Thread Studio) to create lovely soft scarves with good drape. Another used 50g wool tops and sari silk and a third scarf in softer blues was wool and silk fibres.

Marion displayed a vessel made using a combination of skills learnt from Martien’s rubber-tubing and Sarah’s flower demonstrations, with wool nib decorations. She also showed two lariats, one with bright viscose thread stitching.

Sherron delighted us with her charming mouse slippers with cute faces. She asked about methods for adding non-slip bases.

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Julie showed off her beautifully designed and made koi wall-hanging made at the Retreat for her daughter. She had also been busy making a green square box with leaf decoration, a polyester nuno scarf with a wool grid mesh, a blue cracked earth vessel, an earthy hued scarf inspired by the Australian bush and some lovely felted flowers which she claimed were quick to make!

Cathy displayed a brown nuno scarf with silk square patchwork and a partly-finished lariat both made at the Retreat, also several small wall-hangings made with a variety of techniques including a semi-transparent window of cotton gauze.

Kat had made three circular scarves in a variety of colours. She also showed a white scarf with a central ocean-coloured panel representing the ocean between her two home countries.

Maureen had been busy making needle felted animals, some wearing top hats and all very cute. She had also felted a maple leaf while on a trip in Canada and some tiny bags for children to hold Christmas gift cards.

Liz explained the many decorations on her colourful lariat, still to be finished. She is also in the process of making a name tag which has a lot of shrinking to do! A gift of sari silk had been incorporated into a delicate pink scarf.

Pat showed her completed lariat from the Retreat and a blue scarf with a very fine lay-out.

Sue modelled her partly-made lariat which needs further work as the cord has softened. She had also made two different but complementary sides of a cushion cover featuring nuno and embroidery.

Katrina showed some fluffy pre-felt flowers purchased on-line by Alison. Not up to our felting standard! She passed around examples of felted seed-pod forms as examples for an upcoming workshop she will offer at Mundaring Art Centre. See Billboard.

http://www.feltwest.org.au/katrina-virgona-felted-pods-workshop/

Thank you to Sue for the report, Alison and Renita for photo’s. Great work guys.

I (Liz) am still working on the layout with this new editor program.

How do you like the slide shows?

Mini Workshop – CRACKed EARTH

At today’s tutorial, Liz Odd instructed members on the principles of felting items to achieve a ‘cracked earth’ appearance. The technique utilises some form of strips of resist, for example masking tape, bicycle inner tubes, synthetic cords or cut-out designs in light-weight foam sheeting. The method can be used for 2D and 3D pieces. Liz’s inspiration comes from nature or from photos in magazines etc.

News and Update

President Marion welcomed everyone, including new members, those attending the Introductory Workshop and visitor, Dianne, from South Australia.

The recent workshop conducted by May Hvistendahl from Norway on making Nuno-Felt Tops was amazing, as was her evening presentation.

Sara Quail’s Circular Scarf workshop was hugely successful, and participants were thrilled with the light, soft results of using minimal materials.

Coming workshops include Katrina Virgona’s Lariats, Brooches and Rings, being held at the Muresk Retreat on 31 May. Late registrations are still possible until 21 May by contacting Sue Harrington directly.

Eva Camacho-Sanchez will be teaching Beyond Felting – Creating Textured Surfaces from 17-19 July and there are still some places available. She will be giving an artist’s talk in collaboration with WAFTA at 7pm on 16 July at Craft House. Wendy Bailye’s 50 Shades of Grey and Pam Hovel’s Earthy Felted Vessels are being offered in August.

Problems are being experience with the FeltWest website and members are asked to bear with the committee until an upgrade is undertaken. Please contact committee members if you need assistance.

FeltWest events coming up are our stall at the WA Craft and Woodwork Show from 2-4 August. Jill Jodrell and Jan Stroud are organising the stall but volunteers will be needed to assist. Contact Marion Finneran if you can help.

Thanks to Peta’s efforts, again this year,we are thrilled to have been offered a 6 x 6m stand at the Royal Show (28 September to 5 October). Commercial rates for such a stall would normally be $5,000 and we are also provided with a large number of free entry tickets for those on the roster so it is a generous offer. This is a great opportunity to sell felted items (last year items displayed were hugely variable and priced from $10 to $400) and to promote felting to a wide audience from all walks of life. Martien and Peta have agreed to be on the sub-committee and need a few additional members. All members submitting work for sale will be required to be on the roster. More details including guidelines and forms will be available at the June TnT meeting.

And finally, Stacey and Liz Owens are putting together ideas for a fundraising project to benefit cystic fibrosis sufferers. Watch out for more details.

Marion talked about her two green vessels made from a gift of someone else’s felt. She had reshaped and embroidered one into a sculptural vessel.

For the second piece she had taken Fiona Duthie’s website challenge to make a triple-layered vessel with a feature ‘window’.

Pictures by Alison Higgins

Report Sue Harrington

Thank you.

p.s. I have a new editor to learn, hopefully the layout will get better as we go along. kind regards Liz.

May J. Hvistendahl is an internationally renowned felt artist from Norway. Since 1985 she has operated her full time felting studio Ullhuset (Woolhouse). Her specialty is nuno-felted clothing; designing and creating well-fitted, lightweight and durable garments using innovative techniques she has developed over 25 years. May teaches throughout Norway and internationally, including Japan, USA, Australia (2000 & 2005), and throughout Europe. She has written two books on felting (both in Norwegian) and her work has been shown in many solo and group exhibitions.  She is the founder of the Norwegian Feltmaker Association (1995) and was its inaugural president for three years.  May lives and works on a small island near Kragerø on the Norwegian south coast and runs annual workshops from her studio there. www.filtmaker.no

May Jacobsen Hvistendahl tutored the Nuno Felt Tops workshop at FeltWEST in Perth in April 2019. The workshop the participants learnt to make an elegant and unique nuno-felted garment made of silk fabrics and fine merino wool. It is all about personal design, and the wonders of fibre direction.

May taught how to customize a pattern for individual size and design. Demonstrated design techniques so the garment would be light and elegant, well felted and full of drape. The choices were a sleeveless top, a blouse with short sleeves, or an open vest. Or make it a little longer and call it a mini dress.

As you can see from the results the variety was wonderful and as individual as the designer.

May talked about fibre direction and the effect this has on the garment, and how to use this to your advantage when designing.

It is important to do a sample to ensure your shrinkage rate is correct for you, thus ensuring the garment will fit.

May was very generous with her knowledge and time and all participants completed a garment in the 2 days. An excellent workshop and we all came away with many more ideas for the next garment.

Thank you very much May, and we all wished we lived in Norway near May’s Island, where the water ensures a great felt with a lot fewer rolls.

• Report and photo’s by Liz Owens

Toss ‘n’ Tell Report 16 March 2019 Saturday

Mini – demo Playing with Silk Hankies

 

Nancy Ballesteros gave a very informative talk on “silk hankies” and demonstrated her method of incorporating  them in her felting.

 

What is purchased as “silk hankies” are actually cocoons of  silkworms, (Bombax Mori)  that feed on mulberry leaves. Each cocoon consists of 1 continuous silk thread. The cocoons are first boiled, then pierced to remove the worm, and then spread out into a square form. These are stacked on on top of each other and form a “hankie”.

 

 

 

In order to prepare the hankies for use  they need to be separated into layers that will be thin enough for the wool to penetrate in the felting process. . All thick areas must be broken up. It is especially important to fan out the edges of each layer.

 

 

 

 

 

The hankie is very strong and can be stretched into many shapes  or can even be cut up for smaller shapes.

 

 

 

 

 

In order to make it more manageable to work on a design Nancy’s method is to wet down the  hankie with soapy water and then shape the required design on a surface of thin plastic.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally lay out wool on top of the hankies and finish with silk fabric over the whole area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of tips were passed on to the members about design and colour choices in order to achieve the best results. Thank you Nancy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toss n Tell

 

Renita  attended Sue Eslick’s workshop showed us her square box . It was first tested out with paper folding before being made with complex resists.

 

 

 

 

 

Cynda also did Sue’s workshop and her box is a work in progress, satchel to be.

 

 

 

 

 

Sue Eslick made delightful small baskets from home made cord which she had made from scraps of sari silk, various yarns and oddments. These were then stitched together in a coil to form baskets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martien showed us a very fine prefelt of paj silk and wool. She plans to do stitching on it before fulling it to make a scarf.

 

 

 

 

Jacqueline displayed 2 her intricately detailed vessels and explained how she made them.

 

 

 

 

 

Vimol is making a bag ( with lots of inside pockets) to match her garment that she made recently.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie has recently started felting and showed her alpaca and silk scarf that she made whilst was experimenting .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marion displayed her tunic that she made using silk and fine merino in Fiona Duthie’s workshop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures from the Toss ‘n’ Tell Table

Jean’s Bag from Sue’s Tote-lly Squared workshop

 

 

 

 

Lyn’s rectangle

 

 

 

 

Stacey’s Top

 

 

 

 

Owner not declared

 

 

 

 

Mystery object, I recon phone cover, pretty good.

 

 

 

 

Report by Marion, photo’s Renita.

Thanks guys.

Liz