Felted Lantern Cover Workshop.
I got to teach a felted lantern cover class recently. It was mostly people who had never handled wool before. This class is fun, interesting and technical. This project requires a very thin layout, but if it develops holes, that’s ok because it lets the light out. It’s a great one to use to practice thin layout.
I made a new sample with prefelt shapes on the inside and sari silk on the outside. I didn’t have a sample of either of those. It always amazes me how much the sill disappears when you wet it, even on contrasting colours
And the finished sample. The inside shapes worked really well. Some of the mwere swallowed by the scrunched-up part, but that’s ok.
I had eight students. I let them choose if they wanted to make it all enough to be able to make part of it scrunched, or just tall enough for it to fit the glass vase/lantern. I almost forgot to take pictures. It was about an even split. Scrunching them makes a fairly simple design stand out.
I almost forgot to take pictures. Here they are laying out their wool, lots of different ideas.
Then, of course, there was all the rubbing and rolling
Here are some finished but still wet. I am not sure how I ended up with only 5 of them. I was sure I took a picture of each of them.
And here are some pictures my students sent me when they were all dry.
I think they look great. This is a great project if you don’t have a lot of time, but want the satisfaction of start to finish in one session.







22 thoughts on “Felted Lantern Cover Workshop.”
Tha lanterns look lovely and yes, it’s good to attend a workshop and come away with a completed item!
The inside decoration on your sample shows up well when lit and the silk outside looks pretty when unlit.
Thanks Lyn. It is fun when your all done at the end. I was really happy with how it showed through. I do love sari silk.
These are lovely, particularly the moody blues one!
Thanks, it is really nice.
That’s a great idea Ann. I’m sure your students were delighted with their lanterns. How long was the workshop?
Hi thanks it is a fun one. It is a 4 hour workshop. It is such a thin layout they have to work slowly and carefully to get it to the fulling stage.
Your students got some lovely results Ann and I really like your sample one. What sort of light source was used inside the vases/jars? Did you supply the lanterns and the lights or did your students bring their own? Questions, questions! 😁
Ann
I’m also curious about the lantern! I’ve done this using puck lights but it makes for uneven lighting.
I’m even more curious now – what’s a puck light?
Ann
I was really pleased with all of them. All so different but lovely. I supplied a glass vase so they were all working on the same thing. the only variable was if they wanted to have wrinkles or not as that changed the length of the template. if just making it for yourself then a large pop bottle with the top cut off works well too. the lights are sets of 40 fairly lights with a battery pack. I usually end up with 20s but lucked into some 40s this year at Christmas. It is nice that you can get light from top to bottom.
A puck light is a small light shaped like a puck. the top is a light. We use them for emergency lights when the power goes out. You can stick them to walls or the fridge. They put of more light then the fake tealights.
I really like that idea Ann. The lanterns are great. It is a great project for beginners and experienced felters. They are lucky to have your classes available to them.😊
Thanks Donna, I bet they would look amazing with Wensleydale wool.
Ann these are lovely! I’ve done lanterns but used stiffener rather glass – love your idea! I do have a question though, I noticed that students did their layout twice rather than just once over a resist – I’m curious about that! thank you for sharing!
HI I have them layout both sides then wet everything. I find it easier than trying to layout the second side with everything wet. It is also easier to remember what you did on the other side.
Thank you ! That makes sense!
Looks like a great class, I love the scrunched effect.
Thanks Ruth, I really like it too.
I like the scrunched ones best, it lends an added dimension to the finished design. And well done to those who managed a super thin layout, it looks amazing!
I like them best too but I like them all. they were a great group they all did so well laying out thin.
The lanterns are so effective, and wonderful colour choices for the yarn. I love the scrunched effect. The super thin layout is amazing too.
They were a great group, really listening and watching what I was showing them. I always love how different everyone work is.
Beautiful results from all the students Ann. They must all be really delighted with their results. My favourite are the folded ones – it adds extra texture both when lit or in the day time. You are a great teacher. I predict your students will be back for more.
Helene