Thanks to Lynn Parsonage for this account.
This month's workshop was entitled 'Needle Felting Pictures'. To the uninitiated, (me) I thought it was about making pictures from cutting out felt shapes and perhaps sewing them on to a piece of cloth. I was in for a big shock and was so jealous of those members who had joined the workshop - how I wish I had! No primary school pictures were to be found at this day school.
Shirley began with a short introduction to her creative background and then stunned the room into silence by telling them that they would be producing a felted landscape in the morning AND an abstract felted picture after lunch.
The hard part came first - choose a picture.
Apparently pictures are used for inspiration and the finished product not 'copied' just 'inspired'.
The eager students were busy concentrating and hoping for inspiration.
This month's workshop was entitled 'Needle Felting Pictures'. To the uninitiated, (me) I thought it was about making pictures from cutting out felt shapes and perhaps sewing them on to a piece of cloth. I was in for a big shock and was so jealous of those members who had joined the workshop - how I wish I had! No primary school pictures were to be found at this day school.
Shirley began with a short introduction to her creative background and then stunned the room into silence by telling them that they would be producing a felted landscape in the morning AND an abstract felted picture after lunch.
The hard part came first - choose a picture.
Apparently pictures are used for inspiration and the finished product not 'copied' just 'inspired'.
The eager students were busy concentrating and hoping for inspiration.
As usual, the 'do your own thing' gang were enjoying themselves.
There was something about this felting session that seemed different to other day schools and workshops and it took me some time to understand what it was. It was the carefree feeling in the room - and it was catching. Felting could be done without worrying about finer details or mistakes - they could be added and corrected easily.
There was something about this felting session that seemed different to other day schools and workshops and it took me some time to understand what it was. It was the carefree feeling in the room - and it was catching. Felting could be done without worrying about finer details or mistakes - they could be added and corrected easily.
 There is obviously something very therapeutic about stabbing foam over and over again.  As promised, a landscape ... ... and an abstract picture were completed. |  Someone's enjoying herself!  How, I don't know as there was so much talking, laughter and general merriment - perhaps it wasn't really coffee they were drinking?! |
And finally the evidence of a productive and enjoyable day :
 |  |
... and all arrived at using very technical methods and equipment ...???
 |  |
It sounds like a fun day! Thanks to Shirley for the Dayschool and to Lynn for the report. As promised, here is the Requirements list for our next Dayschool - ' Encaustic Wax on Fabrics' by Sue Tyldesley.
April Dayschool materials list - Encaustic art with textile and stitch
Bring what you have - no need to go out to buy!
Apron/overshirt - or wear old clothes as wax may stay on your clothes as well!
Tissues - cheap ones will be fine – men’s tissues which separate into single ply are good
A hairdryer (cheap, fast blowing ones are best - heat guns may work but not as well) I'll have some if you don't have a suitable one - your best one is not appropriate !
Material to work on: eg -thin calico, silk, lining fabric (man made fabrics give brighter results), pelmet Vilene - in fact any plain fabric -cream/white or black best. (Heavy woven fabrics are not very suitable). Bring a selection of pieces to experiment on. The tutor will also have some.
Iron on vilene. Bondaweb might also be useful
Tissue paper (the more crumpled the better!) in various colours - black/dark particularly useful; brown paper; other papers to experiment on
Sewing kit - scissors, needles, threads, beads etc. A sewing machine is useful for some techniques
String, pieces of kozo (don't buy specially), rubber stamps
Apron/overshirt - or wear old clothes as wax may stay on your clothes as well!
Tissues - cheap ones will be fine – men’s tissues which separate into single ply are good
A hairdryer (cheap, fast blowing ones are best - heat guns may work but not as well) I'll have some if you don't have a suitable one - your best one is not appropriate !
Material to work on: eg -thin calico, silk, lining fabric (man made fabrics give brighter results), pelmet Vilene - in fact any plain fabric -cream/white or black best. (Heavy woven fabrics are not very suitable). Bring a selection of pieces to experiment on. The tutor will also have some.
Iron on vilene. Bondaweb might also be useful
Tissue paper (the more crumpled the better!) in various colours - black/dark particularly useful; brown paper; other papers to experiment on
Sewing kit - scissors, needles, threads, beads etc. A sewing machine is useful for some techniques
String, pieces of kozo (don't buy specially), rubber stamps
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