Seminar/Workshop General Information
Workshops (Feltmaking)
GENERAL FELTMAKING
PICTORIAL FELTMAKING, INLAY TECHNIQUES, COLOR IN FELT WORKSHOPS
Inlay methods are used on felts where motifs are actually part of the felt itself and not applied to the felt after it is made. There are several methods which are traditional to the peoples of Central Asia and contemporary artists have produced many exciting variations on these methods.
3-D FELTMAKING, VARIOUS WORKSHOPS
There are many ways to work 3-dimensionally with feltmaking. Most
of these methods involve using felted seams. Some are done with felt
formed around a template. Some are done with felt formed around a soft
or a hard core. With 3-D feltmaking, a person can make hats, purses,
boots, and other 3-dimensional items or one can even make sculpture.
Some people make wonderful dolls, trolls and other critters, while
others make sophisticated vessel forms.
FELTMAKING FOR GARMENTS
There are ways of working with felt so that the resulting fabric is not thick and bulky, but is thin and flexible. Using the lamination techniques developed by Pat Spark, a person can make a wearable felt textile.
SPECIALIZED 1-DAY FELTING WORKSHOPS
Many groups have asked me to do felting workshops on specific items. The items are functional and usually involve using one of the traditional methods of making 3-D felt (open or closed template). While the workshops are usually best for people who have had some experience with felting, it is possible to have novices in the class. (The BASIC CONCEPTS class is a good preview for any of the following, if your group does not have enough experience with felting. It can be combined with a class covering a specific item to make a good 2-day combination.)
SPECIALIZED 1/2-DAY (3 hours) FELTING WORKSHOPS
Workshops (Papermaking)
Workshops (Design)
See also, Optical Color Blending.
Workshops (Professionalism)
Descriptions of Workshops (Feltmaking)
This is the best way to gain a thorough understanding of the various methods, historical and contemporary applications of feltmaking. Several ways of making felt by hand are introduced in this workshop, including methods of making both flat and dimensional felts. Each method is applicable to various types of fleece and will create felt textiles which look and function differently. In addition, ways to control the design motifs, textures, colors, etc. will be covered. Participants will complete several sample pieces, two or three flat works, and at least two 3-D works (such as boots, hats, mittens, etc.). The group will also learn the nomadic process of creating a large piece of felt. (Course for all levels.)
This is a 1-day workshop for people who have never felted before. Learn why wool felts, how to test fleece to see if it will felt, and controlled sampling methods for hand felting various types of fleece. The samples can be compiled into a notebook for reference when making future projects. The fleece type influences the handling properties of the felt fabric, and the felter should be able to choose the correct fleece for the proposed project. (Course for all levels)
In this workshop, Pat will be emphasizing the various ways to make controlled designs (images) in handmade felt. Feltmakers call this process, inlay and Pat will be covering many different inlay techniques in the class. We will be working with the techniques using various materials and adapting them for these materials. These include: inlay on coarse wool like that used by the peoples of Central Asia to make their saddle blankets and carpets; inlay on fine wool using for Pat’s special technique “Water-Color Inlay”. Come join Pat for this fun week of making your “mark” in felt.
This is a new workshop developed by Pat to teach her Watercolor Felt Technique. Pat has developed new methods to help even non-drawers make quite realistic images. By doing a series of samplers, students are lead through these methods and on the last day will begin (and possibly finish) their own design with confidence. The methods have been so successful with students that Pat has even written a book about it: The Watercolor Felt Workbook. This technique can be likened to using wool to paint the felt like we use watercolors to work on paper. With this method of inlaid design, the design elements are added after the background is partially made, using a felting needle. After the designs are applied, the felt is then finished by the normal, wet method so that the fabric is strong and the surface is secure. This class is for all levels, but knowledge of hand carding is helpful. (Course for all levels.) NOTE: In the 5 day version we spend time learning Pat's special multicolor dyeing techniques for the merino top we use in the workshop.
The emphasis in this workshop is on making flat sheets of felt which are decorated with inlaid motifs. Inlaid means that the design is part of the felt itself, and is not applied after the felt is made. We will use wet and dry inlay, negative/positive inlay, jig-saw puzzle inlay and other variations of this method. We will also be using felting needles for needle punch inlay techniques. Slides will be shown of the work of historical and contemporary artists. We will use Central Asian nomadic techniques to make the felt. Participants will complete samples, and at least three flat pieces (Course for all levels.)
The emphasis in this workshop is on making flat sheets of felt which are
decorated with inlaid motifs. Inlaid means that the design is part of the felt
itself, and is not applied after the felt is made. This workshop will
emphasize the inlay methods that require the use of pre-felts, such as
Negative/Positive Technique and Zig-Saw Puzzle Technique. In addition, slides
will be shown of the work of historical and contemporary artists. We will use
both traditional (Central Asian) and new techniques (sanders and felting
needles) to make the felt. Participants will complete samples, and at least
two flat pieces (Course for all levels.)
Wet inlay is a wonderful method of producing pictorial-type designs in felt. In addition, there are several other inlay methods which can create this type of realistic design, as well as geometric or abstract ones. The flat felts, with their inlaid designs will be felted using the methods of the people of Central Asia. Participants will make a samples. (Course for all levels.)
The emphasis in this workshop is on making flat sheets of felt which are
decorated with inlaid motifs. Inlaid means that the design is part of the
felt itself, and is not applied after the felt is made. We will use many
different types of inlay methods. I was recently in the Republic of Georgia,
where I was able to study the inlay techniques currently being done by the
traditional people of the Caucasus Mountains. In addition, I taught other
inlay techniques to contemporary felt artists and art students. It was wonderful
to see how the various inlay techniques I have used over the years, could
be adapted to the coarse rug wool from the Tusheti sheep. I was enthralled
with the possibilities of using this type of fiber to make carpets, pillows,
seat cushions, saddle blankets, etc. While the same techniques can be used
to make wearable art when using fine fleece, the coarse fleece adds a wonderful
stiffness and sturdiness to the felt. Come discover the wonderful designing
methods of the traditional, nomadic felters and make small carpets, seat
cushions or pillows. (Course for all levels.)
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Basic feltmaking techniques with an emphasis on the 3-dimensional processes which are used by the peoples of Sweden and Norway. I will cover the subtle differences between the Swedish Open Template and Norwegian Closed Template methods, with American adaptations and discussion on when to use which method. In the 2-day workshop participants will make at least 2 simple objects such as pouches or purses and may have time for a third. In the 3-day workshop, participants will make a sample piece to learn the basic procedures of feltmaking, and then will make 3-4 objects such as hats, mittens, boots, etc. Lectures include some history of Scandinavian feltmaking and many slide examples from the Nordic countries and North America are shown. (Course for all levels.)
The 2-day version of this workshop concentrates on how to make hats, boots, mittens, etc. using Ms. Spark's method of creating three-dimensional objects without sewn seams. Participants will also learn the method of making individualized pattern templates. The 3 day workshop includes a special lecture on the aspects of feltmaking which will help the accessories to functional well, such as choice of fleece and finishing techniques. Slide examples of completed projects from all over the world are shown. (Course for all levels.)
In the 2-day workshop, participants learn three methods of making dimensional felt objects. The methods include: building up the felt to make solid forms, molding the felt over forms, and making felt objects with no sewn seams, just felted ones. Possible projects include beads, bracelets, bowls, tea cozies, sculptures and toys; as well as accessories such as hats, mittens and boots. In the 3-day workshop, participants will be able to make more objects and try more techniques such as felt sculpture over a soft, fleece core and/or over a foam rubber core. (Course for all levels.)
Sometimes the felt used for garments is quite bulky and inflexible. However, by using the techniques I have developed to laminate fine fleece onto a thin fabric base, participants will make a delicate, pliable yardage which can be used for a vest or as the body of a jacket. This technique is good for Merino, Rambouillet, and Corriedale fleece as well as for blends such as angora/merino or llama/merino. For the 3 day workshop, the participants will complete a scarf as well as the yardage for the front of a vest. (Course best for people with some experience working with (i.e. spinning or felting) wool fiber.))
Using felt lamination techniques, it is possible to make a felt flexible enough to be able to be used for neck scarves or shawls. No more do we need to make the thick, stiff felt that could stand up on its own. With this technique, our felt can rival knitting and other fiber techniques for their flexibility. The resulting fabric is warm, without being too bulky.
Fine silk is a beautiful fabric to use with merino wool to create a uniquely textured scarf with felt lamination technique (the technique where wool fibers are felted onto a woven or knitted fabric). We will be working with white wool on white silk and then dyeing it if there is time.
For people who have had some experience making the fine felt scarves that combine wool and silk cloth. In this workshop we will use the properties of the wool itself to create various patterns on the scarves. Lattice, zig-zag, grids, spirals, etc. can be created on the scarves, combining areas of open silk with areas of silk/wool puckers.
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Some types of wool make a wonderful lacey felt without much effort involved. We will use the unique felting properties of Wensleydale wool to create a beautiful but strong lace felt scarf.
With lacey wool it is possible to inlay pre-felts to create interesting motifs within the lace felt.
Using felting needles, people can add wool motifs to fine fabrics to create interesting fabric/wool combinations.
Use both wet and dry (needle) felting techniques to make felted faces on a felt base in this one-day workshop. We will use wet felting techniques to make the “skin” of a shape, stuff it and then build the face on the shape using felting needles. The face is designed to help the student learn the four basic strokes of needle felting. (Course for all levels)
This class will feature new approaches to making handmade felt beads, necklaces, ornaments, and other small items suitable for gifts. (ATTN. Teachers: The techniques are especially suitable to being taught to children.)
These simple items are made using a 3-dimensional felting method which creates an object with no sewn seams! The caps and helmets can be made to fit all sizes. Each one can be designed with color and motifs to make it fit the personality of the person it is designed for. If you don't want to make a hat, how about keeping your teapot warm with a custom designed cozy?
Nothing works better in the famous Northwest rain than a good wool felt hat with a brim. The raindrops roll right off the brim and away from your face (which is especially good if you wear glasses.) The colors can be bright and cheery, or subdued and natural, depending on how the rain makes you feel. When you make your own hat, you are in control! In this workshop, we use a traditional Scandinavian method to create the wool felt used in the hats
Handmade wool felt makes wonderful, warm coverings for hands. Explore the ancient Scandinavian method of making a non-woven cloth by subjecting upspun wool to water, soap, and agitation. Create wearable mittens or perhaps fanciful hand puppets with no sewn seams.
Here are some items to help you keep from "getting cold feet" this winter. Handmade felt boots and slippers are extremely warm and cozy. Because they are felted with no sewn seams, they are also comfortable. Each pair can be made with unique motifs and colors, so that they are truly custom-designed. Don't be kept "out-in-the-cold", join us for this "foot-warming" experience.
Using special felting methods, three-dimensional felt toys can be made. One of the animal types (triangle animals), is made with an ingenious Norwegian pattern which creates cute figures that stand on a pyramid-type base. Another type uses foam rubber as its core and is very flexible. In Scandinavia, people have made wonderful trolls and other fanciful creatures using these methods. Let your imagination soar and come join us to create your own version of "critters".
Well-known to the textile industry for years, but newly discovered by the home-craft community; felting needles are a miracle tool for attaching hair to rag dolls, fixing felting mistakes, making "pre-felts", creating fiber sculpture and much more. Come and explore the potential of this marvelous tool.
We will use both wet and dry felting techniques to sculpt these wonderful creatures. Based on a cone shape, the gnomes have terrific faces, guaranteed to make you laugh!
SPECIALIZED 1/2-DAY (3 hours) FELTING WORKSHOPS
Handmade felt is a wonderfully textured and colored textile. We can “draw” with wool threads or colored fleece to create very interesting images. These images can be glued to card stock to make unique greeting cards.
In this class, we will use a cookie cutter as the stencil to create a shaped piece of felt that can be used as a Christmas Ornament, Brooch, Hat Decoration, or anything you can think of. The felt we are making is made from wool fiber using both the traditional wet felting method and the new needle felting process which some folks call dry felting.
Workshops (Papermaking)
Using a special technique first developed by Inge Evers of Holland, participants can make sheets of paper from silk fiber. The paper is translucent and can be quite effectively used in collages, mixed media sculpture, etc. We will make two different versions of this paper, one water soluble which works very well as an inlay element in handmade felt. While the paper is not waterproof, it can be drawn on with pastels and pencils. The silk works especially well on felt made from fine fibers such as merino. The other version of silk paper is water-proof. This paper can also be used as a drawing base, and in addition, can be cut and stitched for interesting "quilts".
Workshops (Design)
This is a 2-day or 3-day workshop to introduce design concepts and processes to people who work in textiles but who have not studied design. Participants will do a series of design problems to learn about the design elements of line, shape, value, and texture. They will learn to organize these elements with the principles of balance, proportion, unity, variety and Gestalt. (Course for all levels.)
Have you ever wondered why red and blue when mixed don't really make purple, but some sort of muddy plum? Do you get Kelly Green or Forest Green when you mix blue and yellow? Are there different kinds of red, blue and yellow? If so, what kind of oranges, greens, and purples do they mix? While basic color theory is usually understood by most textile folks, the subtleties of actually mixing pigment and getting the results you want is not grasped. In this 2-day or 3-day workshop, participants will use the six primary system to learn control over color mixing. While pigments will be used, the knowledge can be applied to dyes as well. (Course for all levels.)
Workshops (Professionalism)
What are the kinds of things that a person just new to the fiber arts should know to help them build their professional record? How do you get into exhibits? Why should you? What kind of information is needed for an artist's resume? How can you begin to build your reputation? How do you start and maintain a portfolio? How do you use it? In this one-day workshop, we will cover these and other topics which would be needed by an artist getting started in the field. (Course for all levels.)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
FEES.....
Workshops = $350.00 (US Funds) per day; plus expenses, including travel and
room/board. The fee can be adjusted for conference situations. (For instance:
if all conference workshop leaders are to be paid the same amount).
Lectures/Study Hour = $200.00 (US Funds) plus expenses. The fee can be adjusted
for conference situations. (For instance: if all conference seminar leaders
are to be paid the same amount).
Participants Materials Fees: Contact Pat for these as they change for each workshop.
Private instruction: Pat Spark teaches private felting, spinning or weaving classes by appointment. Students can choose from one of the subjects in the list of seminars and workshops (see below) or we can talk about special interest areas which could be explored. Private instruction is $200 per day for a 6 hour workshop. With 2-3 students the cost is $150 each per 6 hour day. If a student wishes to meet on a weekly basis for an hour or so, the fee is $35 per hour. Class times are arranged at the convenience of the student and the instructor. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to hold that date with the balance due one week prior to class. Classes are held in Fine Fiber Studio, 604 SE 1st Ave.; Albany, Oregon. All materials and the use of tools are included in the cost of the class.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS......
Workshops = No minimum, maximum 12 people, 13 in emergencies. (When this
happens, it is best to have a workshop assistant to handle the small problems
that come up.)
Lectures/Study Hour = See individual lectures for numbers.
LENGTH OF TIME......
Workshops = at least 8 hours per day; (Such as 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). (Some
people may need to go longer than 5:00 in order to get finished, but most
will finish by 5:00.) I often show slides during lunch, so it is good for
folks to have sack lunches. Don't forget that I need one too! I also like
the workshop organizers to have some wrapped hard candies, chocolates, apples
and/or other afternoon treats for the workshop participants. Feltmaking is
hard work, and people expend a lot of energy. A little bit of hard candy
or fruit to munch on as they are working may give them a little boost of
energy. For cleanliness, the snack should be wrapped.
Lectures = Unless otherwise stated, most lectures are for 1.5 hours, but
time can be adjusted to longer/shorter periods. (I actually prefer a 2 hour
format, but most groups prefer shorter times.)
Study Hour = 1- 1 1/2 hour.
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SPACE NEEDS ......
Workshops, Feltmaking =
Workshops, Design =
Lectures =
Study Hours/ Set up needs for both study hours =
For participants materials/equipment needs, contact address below.