Past Workshop Topics

a 4 day workshop with Nancy Ballesteros

It has been recognised that certain proportions keep showing up in things we consider beautiful – a Natural Rhythm that our human brain finds especially visually pleasing. Mathematicians have written books; Leonardo Da Vinci used it when he painted Mona Lisa – The Golden Ratio, Fibonacci’s numbers… How could all this help you with your creativity?

In this workshop you will explore simple, practical ways to apply this powerful design principal to your nuno felting. It is an amazingly easy way to obtain visually pleasing outcomes – no maths is required!

Students are able to choose different designs of Kimono Poncho they would like to create. It can have either structured linear lines or more a more rhythmical and organic pattern. You will have a choice of creating either a Silk fabric collar or a felted collar. Very basic sewing skills will be needed.

Learn Nancy’s newest technique of working with WET wool for making clear sharp lines while also learning to felt great superfine cloth. Please come with an open mind and spirit ready to learn how to work with wool in a very different manner – it will be challenging!

Emphasis will be placed on QUALITY FELT. Specific fulling techniques will expand your felting skills.

Drawing from her 30+ years of designing colours, Nancy will also teach some practical ideas about designing with colour. She will help you develop your own colour language. Nancy will also share her No-Roll Felting Technique.

Recommended skill level: Intermediate to Advanced felter

Estimated cost on materials list:
$210 average size person 
$230 for tall person

Materials fee payable to tutor: None

For details of the Cancellation & Refund Policy click here

For all queries, please email the Feltwest Workshop Co-ordinator here:

Members

Non Members

a workshop with Sue Eslick

In this two day class we will create a unique strong three dimensional felt bag. 

You will learn how to create different shapes and designs from a single, simple template by applying different thicknesses of wool, and cutting the template in different places.  We will felt around the resist to make a hollow form which will form the basis for our bag.  The application of additional design elements such as pockets and reinforced handles will be covered.

Techniques will be learned to full, shrink, stretch, steam and block the felt to form a firm bag. Emphasis will be placed on producing quality felt that is fully felted, strong, and smooth and holds its shape. 

Basic templates will be provided that may be adjusted to each individual design. 

The second day will focus on techniques to get a really professional finish to your bag. This will include getting a smooth surface, reducing colour bleed, top stitching, fasteners, and reinforced handles.

Basic felting skills and experience in using a resist are required. 

For details of the Cancellation & Refund Policy click here

For all queries, please email the Feltwest Workshop Co-ordinator here:

Members

Non Members

a workshop with Pam De Groot

This workshop will explore the relationship of wool dimension and space to create undulating forms. Drawing on your own skill in the sculptural aspects of wool, investigate the power of shape, connections. You will discover how to vastly alter the surface of felt, through adding components or foreign objects.
Some experience in felt making is preferred.

No materials fee payable to Tutor.

Estimated cost of materials on list: $100

About Pam

After originally working as a studio potter, Pam has now worked in the field of Fibre and Textile art for almost 21 years, creating wearables, accessories and more recently sculpture. In this time she has explored new approaches to using felt, fibre, dyeing techniques and colour. She particularly pushes the boundaries of what is possible within felt making to reach new innovations in this ever growing field of textiles.

I hope to excite the viewer with the possibilities and mysteries of this craft.

After originally working as a studio potter, Pam has now worked in the field of Fibre and Textile art for almost 21 years, creating wearables, accessories and more recently sculpture. In this time she has explored new approaches to using felt, fibre, dyeing techniques and colour. She particularly pushes the boundaries of what is possible within felt making to reach new innovations in this ever growing field of textiles.

I hope to excite the viewer with the possibilities and mysteries of this craft.

a workshop with Soosie Jobson

The simplicity of the circle has endlessly fascinated humans. They are intricately woven into our existence through culture, religion, language, and design.  The circle has a mystique about it- it is the perfect never ending shape as it has no beginning nor end. It is an efficient shape it covers the maximum possible area for any given perimeter or circumference.  The circle gave us the wheel. 

We will harness this mystique and combine it with the power of differential shrinkage to create vessels and bowls embellished with the ghost image technique.

Skills to be covered: Differential shrinkage theory – harnessing wool’s ability to shrink, simple circle geometry, ghost image creation, colour theory, and laying techniques.

This workshop is for all felters, in particular if you have participated in, although not essential, the Skills Extension Differential Shrinkage.

A materials fee of $5 is payable to tutor.

Estimated materials list $50

For details of the Cancellation & Refund Policy click here

For all queries, please email the Feltwest Workshop Co-ordinator here:

Members

Non Members

a workshop with Katrina Virgona

Come along for a fun day learning how to wet felt some intriguing 3D forms inspired by seeds and pods. Participants will discover ways to use a basic resist to create (and recreate) multiple variations of naturally occurring objects. With projects to suit both beginners and more advanced felters, this workshop will suit all creative souls.

This workshop is suitable for all felting levels – although basic felting experience is required.

No Materials fee.

Materials on list are estimated at $20 – list will be emailed upon completion of your order.

About Katrina

Katrina was born in North Queensland and moved to Fiji for four years with her family when she was nine. On return, she lived, worked, and studied in various locations around Australia before settling in Perth in 1984. In her studio practice, Katrina creates 3D artworks and contemporary textile jewellery pieces, drawing on a diverse range of materials including wool, wire, wood, metal, fur, and hair. Katrina teaches art theory at Curtin University and conducts a range of textile workshops. Her artworks have been exhibited and published locally, nationally, and internationally. For more images see: https://katrinavirgona.com or Instagram @katrinavirgona

For details of the Cancellation & Refund Policy click here

For all queries, please email the Feltwest Workshop Co-ordinator here:

Members

Non Members

a workshop with Alison Gomes

In this 2 day workshop you will make and take home your own unique scarf.

You will be guided through the technique of nuno-felting (the art of adding fabric to wool before you felt it). You will learn all things related to making nuno-felt, such as how to choose your fabrics, different ways of combining wool and fabric, and plenty of tips on getting a great result. And it doesn’t end there…

In the next part of this workshop, we will enhance our nuno scarves by adding detail through hand-stitching (no embroidery experience necessary). Discover how you can take a piece of felt to another level, simply by stitching into it. See how different threads or yarns look when added to felt, and how the size, density and timing of stitching can all change the final look of your piece.

At the end of this workshop, you will have created a very special scarf in your chosen colour palette and design. What’s more, you can then apply these techniques to other felt creations in the future.

This workshop is suitable for all felting levels – although basic felting experience is required.

Materials fee of $12 payable to the tutor.

Materials on list are estimated at $40 – list will be emailed upon completion of your order.

About Alison

I am a fibre and textile artist living and working right here in Perth. My own felting journey began in 2007 when I first discovered the joy of creating hand-made felt. I was hooked! I still love the process and the magic of turning simple wool fibres into unique, beautiful pieces of felt. You can have a look at some of my work at www.nativeneedle.com.co
I have also had my work displayed in a few different exhibitions over the years.

It gives me great pleasure to pass on this love of felt by teaching the techniques I use. And to then see others inspired to make beautiful things of their own. Over the years I have taught several workshops for Feltwest, and I look forward to teaching this one too.

For details of the Cancellation & Refund Policy click here

For all queries, please email the Feltwest Workshop Co-ordinator here:

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a workshop with Martien van Zuilen
www.martienvanzuilen.com

This workshop is all about making felt on a precious scale! You will learn a range of innovative felting techniques and create uniquely versatile jewellery components and small sculptural works to adorn.

Fine merino wool and a range of novelty fibres, sumptuous silks and fabrics, wire and tubing, foam, recycled materials, metals, and resists,  will be used to create one-of-a-kind, ingenious Pendants, Brooches, Necklaces, Earrings, Bangles, 3D Sculptural Forms and more. Bead forms include the aptly named Scrunch, Spike, Dotty, Fangs, Layered Twirls, and Liquorice Allsorts, to name a few. You will learn how to bring the various felted components together into a unified whole, turn felted cords into Flower Brooches and Pendants, and create felt-beaded chains and closures into distinctive bracelets, bangles, and necklaces.  The motto of this workshop is: ‘anything is possible’; the focus is on ‘quality in creativity’.  This is a hands-on workshop with in-depth demonstrations, attention to detail and lots of ‘play time’. Whether you are interested in jewellery, sculpture, embellishments or mixed media, this workshop will provide much inspiration and technical ‘know-how’, resulting in inspired creations finished to a high standard. 

All levels of experience welcome; those with felting experience are set to expand their skills and ‘felt vocabulary’!

Materials fee of $15 payable to the tutor.

Materials on list are estimated at $40 – list will be emailed upon completion of your order.

For details of the Cancellation & Refund Policy click here

For all queries, please email the Feltwest Workshop Co-ordinator here:

Members

Non Members

a workshop with Vimol Imsanguan

2D detail

3D detail

About the Tutor

Vimol Imsanguan is a selt-taught needle felter who started in 2013, she enjoys working with various types of wool to create both 2D and 3D sculptures and especially enjoys felting dolls, fantasy creature and landscapes.  You can see more of her work at:

https://www.facebook.com/WoollyBirdsAndFairy or https://www.instagram.com/woollybirdsandfairy/

For details of the Cancellation & Refund Policy click here

For all queries, please email the Feltwest Workshop Co-ordinator here:

Members

Non Members