3D Wet Felting…. From Flat to Form

Wet felting has been around for centuries. It is an exciting ancient art that still encourages experimentation and growth. Using wool roving (carded wool), a little water and soap we will be interlocking the wool into fun and useful creations. You will be amazed how these fluffs of wool become a cohesive fiber. We will be working with Hats, Art Vessels, Fingerless gloves, slippers and more. This workshop if for the beginner to the experienced felter that wants to explore working in 3D.

In this workshop we will explore the technique of wet felting using a resist and fun additions.  Using a resist allows us to create three dimensional projects. You will be learning how to take measurements, plan your project, create a pattern, how to felt around the resist, add embellishment, sculpt, shape and size your project.

Students will be creating an art vessel or bowl using a provided resist. We will then be learning how to measure and create a pattern for a felted wool hat using your own design. These can be whimsical and fun, or more for everyday use, students are encouraged to use their imagination!  Students will also be making hat bands, flowers or other items to add to the design of their hats. Not a hat person?  How about creating a pair of warm and cozy wool slippers! More projects will be available as time permits, including beautiful wool arm warmers. Once you learn this technique you will be able to make more intricate items like dresses, jacket and cat pods.

A $45 materials fee is payable to instructor in first class meeting and Instructor will provide most of the necessary tools and materials needed for all projects. You will be working with beautiful, soft, hand dyed merino wool roving, and for design elements wool pre-felt, pieces of silk, mohair and yarn.

What to bring:

  • Clothing you do not mind getting wet
  • Good pair of scissors (not your good fabric scissors)
  • Ruler
  • Notepad and pen or pencil
  • A little calculator comes in handy, I’ll have a few.
  • 4-5 bath sized towels, the thinner variety
  • Sewing needle with an eye big enough for embroidery thread
  • Not required but feel free to bring along bits of wool yarn you might have from other projects Interesting buttons, flat rocks, beads etc. for adding to our projects.

Instructor will provide:

  • Resist material
  • Piles and Piles of dozens of colors and natural wool roving
  • Felting tools
  • Items to embellish your work
  • Buckets
  • Soap
  • Pool Noodles

Terry Shearn

www.terryshearnart.com

Terry Shearn is a Fiber/Textile artist who uses carded wool to create seamless wearable art using a variety of felting techniques.  Dresses and jackets from hand dyed silks, or silk lap and  layered hand dyed wool roving that is worked and sculpted to create a seamless unique piece. Her pallet includes items such as wool locks, mohair, thread, recycled sari silk.  As the fabric is created, so is the garment, making it a flowing sculptural experience.  Hats are created using hand dyed wool roving in layers to create a seamless form that is then sculpted into warm, unique hats.  Terry also uses natural dyes such as Eucalyptus or Walnut to create both prints from the botanicals or dye baths in her process, creating earthy, natural patterns on wearable art, table runners, and framed art pieces.

Terry has been working in this medium for over ten years and has been a costume designer for over 30 years. Her work is has been featured in Foothills Magazine, she has participated in the Placer Arts Studio Tour 2014, 2015 and 2017, Grass Valley Art Tour 2018. First place award in the Fiber Art Expect the Unexpected Show at the Art League of Lincoln and the Blue Line Gallery Art of Fashion Show. Best of Show Award Reno ArtFest 2019.  Her work is currently available at Riverside Gallery – Truckee, CA,, Camelot Gallery in Nevada City, and various art shows throughout the year. Terry enjoys sharing her love of fiber arts with workshops throughout Northern California. She lives and creates in the beautiful foothills town of Auburn where she finds her inspiration from the surrounding natural world.