The fall series of online courses are open for registration. The registration for the 4 modules of Embellishing Felt with Surface Design Techniques – A Mixed Media Approach opens today, August 27 for a class start date of September 10, 2021. Click on any of the links about the courses to learn more. The courses are four weeks of PDF and video information and two extra weeks of instructor support for only $45.00 US for each module. You don’t have to be present at any certain time during the course.
The second module is Experimental Screen Printing on Felt. Screen printing is loads of fun and you can obtain a huge variety of results with the techniques you will learn in this class.
Or you might want to try the third module which is Printing, Stenciling and Playing with Thickened Dye on Felt. You will learn how to make stencils and stamps as well as the use of thickened dye to decorate the surface of your felt and make your own unique designs.
The fourth module is Free Motion Machine Stitching on Felt. Have you always wanted to add machine stitching to your felt but didn’t know how? This course takes you through the basics of machine stitching on felt and works through to more complex techniques of using your sewing machine to embellish felt.
If you are interested in any of these online classes, please click on the links above for further information about the classes and scroll down to the bottom of the page to register. You will also find the supply lists of what you will need for each class on the linked pages.
Our Wet Felting for Beginners online class is available any time. You will have unlimited access with this class. So if you’d like to know more about the basics of felting including laying out the wool, embellishments, shrinkage and a variety of felting methods this is the class for you. You can sign up any time at the link above.
The spring series of online courses are open for registration. The registration for the 4 modules of Embellishing Felt with Surface Design Techniques – A Mixed Media Approach opens today, March 12 for a class start date of March 26, 2021. Click on any of the links about the courses to learn more. The courses are four weeks of PDF and video information and two extra weeks of instructor support for only $45.00 US for each module. You don’t have to be present at any certain time during the course.
The second module is Experimental Screen Printing on Felt. Screen printing is loads of fun and you can obtain a huge variety of results with the techniques you will learn in this class.
Or you might want to try the third module which is Printing, Stenciling and Playing with Thickened Dye on Felt. You will learn how to make stencils and stamps as well as the use of thickened dye to decorate the surface of your felt and make your own unique designs.
The fourth module is Free Motion Machine Stitching on Felt. Have you always wanted to add machine stitching to your felt but didn’t know how? This course takes you through the basics of machine stitching on felt and works through to more complex techniques of using your sewing machine to embellish felt.
If you are interested in any of these online classes, please click on the links above for further information about the classes and scroll down to the bottom of the page to register. You will also find the supply lists of what you will need for each class on the linked pages.
Our Wet Felting for Beginners online class is available any time. You will have unlimited access with this class. So if you’d like to know more about the basics of felting including laying out the wool, embellishments, shrinkage and a variety of felting methods this is the class for you. You can sign up any time at the link above.
Teri and I decided to do another round of online classes this fall. So if you want to learn some new techniques in an easy format, take a look at the choices below. Registration for Teri’s classes opens on September 15 and for my surface design classes, registration will open on September 25. If you want to put your name on the list for any of the classes, just fill out our contact us form with your class preference. We’ll add you to our email list so you will be notified when registration opens with further details.
This four-week, hat making course will initially guide you through the different options for hat blocks (from DIY to the extravagant!) and choosing one to fit. Although this module is technically week 1, Teri will send it out on receipt of payment so you have as much time as possible to make or buy a hat block if you don’t already have one.
Week 2 will focus on making a stylish or quirky concertina hat and will include guidance on how to create a resist for your head size, how to add a felted “pig tail”, creating a brim and forming sharp folds that remain in place. Teri will also describe how she blends colours and make the “silk stripes” used on some of her hats.
In week 3 we will make a super-cute snail hat. This tutorial is a must for anyone who hates rolling! Teri will provide her template for you to enlarge to your hat size. She will then go on to explain how to make the eyes on stalks and securely attach them to the hat as well as how to create the shell and shape snail’s foot to form a brim for your hat.
Week 4 will be an opportunity to catch up or make another hat, Teri will provide examples of other hats and their template designs that used the concertina method which you are welcome to copy or, if you prefer, she will be very happy to help you design your own hat using this method. The possibilities are almost endless!
During this 5 week course you will have the opportunity to make at least 3 bags / purses. In week 1, we will make an animal themed spectacles/phone/pencil case, this could be in the image of your favourite pet or a friend’s pet (they make very thoughtful gifts) or a mythical beast of your own imagination! We will use multiple resists, introduce some nuno felting and make a closure entirely from wool.
In week 2 we will make a small to medium shoulder / hand bag (purse to our US friends), this tutorial will demonstrate how to add internal pockets, a magnetic clasp, adjustable shoulder straps and take shaping the felt to the next level so the bag has a flat bottom and stands up on its own.
The week 3 tutorial is a little more ambitious, we will be making a backpack with adjustable straps, multiple internal compartments and internal pockets.
Weeks 4 and 5 will be for catch up / further development, you might like to apply your own design to a bag, Teri will be on hand to answer any questions and talk through any challenges your design might create.
Embellishing Felt with Surface Design Techniques – A Mixed Media Approach
Paper fabric lamination is a technique of essentially gluing paper to sheer fabric in a specific design. It is not a new technique and has been used by fiber artists for a long time. When I first learned the technique, I wondered how I would use the result. Many artists use paper fabric lamination and layer the results together with stitching and other methods. When I looked at my samples, I saw sheer fabric with a design and thought “Why not try nuno felting with it?” I tried it, it worked, and I loved the results. It was a way to use my own designs and create a piece of nuno felt that was completely different and in my own style.
What you will learn:
What types of sheer fabric work best for paper fabric lamination
What types of paper work best for paper fabric lamination
How to add color to the paper
How to make a print board
All the steps of paper fabric lamination including using a silk screen or a stencil to create your design
How to embellish your felt with small pieces of paper fabric lamination
How to use laminated paper fabric for the base of a larger piece of nuno felt
How to make a laminated paper fabric silk screen (Can be used in Module 2 or for silk screening on your own.)
Have you put off trying to screen print because you thought it was too complicated? This is the course for you then. This course will teach you about a variety of methods of screen printing that are fun and easy although sometimes a bit messy!
In week one of the course, you will learn how to make your own silk screen and print board. You will also learn how to thicken acid dyes to use in the screen printing process and how to steam your felt after screen printing. All of these technique mentioned can also be used to screen print fabric such as silk for nuno felting.
In week two, we will be concentrating on the deconstructed screen printing technique. This is a very serendipitous process that yields some exciting results.
In week three, you will learn about a variety of different ways to mask a silk screen to achieve different printing effects. You will be using a variety of temporary masks to create as many unique designs as you can create.
In the final week of the class, you will learn how to use a variety of items from around the house to create one of a kind silk screen patterns on felt.
Learn to make thickened dye and then use it to make designs on felt or silk. Create your own unique designs with stamps, stencils and stuff found around your house. This course will teach you to experiment and play with thickened dye.
What you will learn:
How to make a print board
How to make thickened dye
How to transfer your designs
Choosing what designs are appropriate for stencils and stamps
Creating stencils from a variety of supplies
Cutting and burning stencils
Creating stamps from a variety of supplies
Cutting a linoleum type stamp
Burning a stamp from insulation foam
Looking at items around the house with a new eye for use in creating patterned felt
How to play with thickened dye
How to stamp and stencil with thickened dye on to felt
Machine stitching on felt adds wonderful details and is a simple process. It does take a bit of practice but I can show you ways that make it much simpler.
In week one of the course, you will learn the basics of free motion stitching. I will show you the basic techniques and equipment needed as well as give you lots of practice ideas to improve your skills.
During week two, we will concentrate on machine lace techniques and how to incorporate them into felt making. You will learn to use a hoop in the machine with water soluble fabric.
Week three is all about thread sketching. We’ll start out with easy designs and then progress to how to use water soluble fabric to transfer a design and free hand thread sketching.
The final week is all about experimentation and moving forward with your newly found free motion machine skills. I will show you how to add stitch to a felt painting as well as other ideas in how to use your sewing machine to enhance felt.
If you’ve made it this far, we always have the beginners course available so you can start that at any time.
Wet Felting – A Step By Step Introduction is an online 3 part beginner’s guide to Wet Felting. This class is for total beginners who have not done any wet felting before. All coursework is online and is not “live” so can be accessed at any time. You can access the class information at any time and the class is open continuously so that you can return at any time to review the information and videos. You will have unlimited access to course information after registering and completing payment so there is no pressure to complete the class on a certain schedule. There are no specific start dates for this class as it can be taken at any time during the year.
Part 1
Learn the basics of wet felting, with step by step instructions for laying out wool tops neatly and evenly; positioning embellishments; wetting, rubbing, rolling and fulling the felt; and how to get neat edges, so that even an absolute beginner should feel confident trying it for the first time. The piece of felt being demonstrated in the instructions is a large piece of felt. It will make a firm, durable piece big enough to make an A5 book cover, or any number of alternative projects. There’s no pressure to make a piece as large though. If you think you will feel comfortable making a smaller piece to start, please do 🙂
Part 2
Learn how to work out shrinkage rates and calculate measurements to account for the shrinkage. There will be a series of exercises to try which demonstrate the kinds of things which affect the way felt shrinks, information which will take some of the mystery out of felting and equip you with important knowledge for success in your future felting endeavors.
Part 3
Learn about the way wool is processed to produce a variety of felting fibres; look at some different felting methods, tools and techniques; and learn some tips for blending wool by hand. There will also be a gallery of felt pieces made from different wool and animal fibres.
The registration for the four modules of Embellishing Felt with Surface Design Techniques – A Mixed Media Approach is now open. Classes will begin on May 29, 2020. Each class is $45.00 US and can be taken from anywhere. Click on any of the links about the courses to learn more and to register.
The first module is Nuno Felting with Paper Fabric Lamination. Paper fabric lamination is a technique of essentially gluing paper to sheer fabric in a specific design. Learn this technique and how to add paper to felt with nuno felting.
The second module is Experimental Screen Printing on Felt. Screen printing is loads of fun and you can obtain a huge variety of results with the techniques you will learn in this class.
Or you might want to try the third module which is Printing, Stenciling and Playing with Thickened Dye on Felt. You will learn how to make stencils and stamps as well as the use of thickened dye to decorate the surface of your felt and make your own unique designs.
The fourth module is Free Motion Machine Stitching on Felt. Have you always wanted to add machine stitching to your felt but didn’t know how? This course takes you through the basics of machine stitching on felt and works through to more complex techniques of using your sewing machine to embellish felt.
If you are interested in any of these online classes, please click on the links above for further information about the classes. You will also find the supply lists of what you will need for each class on the linked pages.
And last, but not least, our Wet Felting for Beginners online class is available any time. You will have unlimited access with this class. So if you’d like to know more about the basics of felting including laying out the wool, embellishments, shrinkage and a variety of felting methods this is the class for you. You can sign up any time at the link above.
Galina Titova of Deep Felt Textile Art emailed me recently. She felt that since so many people were being socially isolated by the world pandemic, that it would be a good time to offer her Fantasy Felt Fish online class again. I thought this was a great idea and I also contacted Teri Berry to see if she would like to offer both her Felted Concertina Hat and Felted Bag online classes too. So if you’re looking for something creative to do in these trying times, we have some felting classes available.
Learn to make felted fantasy fish with Galina Titova in this three week online class. Each week you will learn to create a different fish and move from a simple design up to a more advanced design and different surface design techniques. Every week Galina will provide more examples of fish with the same elements used in different ways to create various effects. Click here for more information and to register for the class. Class start date will be April 8, 2020. The class is limited to 20 students per session and is filling quickly. Galina is planning on offering another session 3-4 weeks after this class has finished. Students will be chosen on a first come, first served basis.
The April 8th class is now full. Galina will be offering another class in the near future. If you would like to be notified of the next open registration, please fill out the contact us form here with the name of the class in the comments section.
Learn to make felt concertina hats with Teri Berry in a four week online class. This course will guide you through choosing a hat block, to creating the correct size resist for your head and the basics of concertina hat construction. You will also learn how to add embellishments, shaping and how to progress to making more complex hats. Click here for more information and to register for the class. Class start date will be April 16, 2020.
Learn all about felt bag construction in this five week online class with Teri Berry. Starting with an animal themed smaller case, building on each lesson to create a medium sized bag and finally learning to make a backpack with adjustable straps, multiple internal compartments and internal pockets. This course will certainly develop your felting skills. Click here for information and to register for the class. Class start date will be April 16, 2020.
And if you’re new to wet felting, here’s the perfect course for you. This class is for total beginners who have not done any wet felting before. Learn the basics of wet felting, adding embellishments, calculating shrinkage rates for correct sizing, as well as how wool is processed and tips for other felting methods. Click here for information and to register for the class. You can start this course at any time.
And now because you have read all the way to the bottom of the post, Galina is kindly giving away one spot in her upcoming Felting Fantasy Fish class.
Give Away!
All you need to do is comment below and the drawing for a free class will be on April 1st. You will be notified by email if you win. For those of you that are planning on taking the class, go ahead and register and if you win the free class slot, your money will be refunded.
From all of us at The Felting and Fiber Studio, we wish you good health and please stay safe!
Teri and I have come up with our online class schedule for 2020. If you are interested in signing up for any of these classes, please fill out our contact us form and include the name of the class in which you are interested. We will contact you when registration opens. All classes are held online so you can be located anywhere in the world and still take the class. You don’t have to be present at any certain time and there is opportunity to show your work, interact with other students and ask as many questions as you have.
The four modules of Embellishing Felt with Surface Design – A Mixed Media Approach with Ruth Lane will be held for two sessions in 2020. These modules do not need to be taken in any order, they are all stand alone classes. Click on the links below for more information.
February 21, 2020 (Registration opens on February 17, 2020)
The fall series of online courses will be open for registration soon. The registration for the 4 modules of Embellishing Felt with Surface Design Techniques – A Mixed Media Approach will open September 3rd. Click on any of the links about the courses to learn more.
Here is a video that I made about the first module of my online courses, Nuno Felting with Paper Fabric Lamination. I forgot I even made this video so I thought people might to see a little more about the class.
The second module is Experimental Screen Printing on Felt. Screen printing is loads of fun and you can obtain a huge variety of results with the techniques you will learn in this class.
Or you might want to try the third module which is Printing, Stenciling and Playing with Thickened Dye on Felt. You will learn how to make stencils and stamps as well as the use of thickened dye to decorate the surface of your felt and make your own unique designs.
The fourth module is Free Motion Machine Stitching on Felt. Have you always wanted to add machine stitching to your felt but didn’t know how? This course takes you through the basics of machine stitching on felt and works through to more complex techniques of using your sewing machine to embellish felt.
If you are interested in any of these online classes, please click on the links above for further information about the classes. You will also find the supply lists of what you will need for each class on the linked pages. To be added to the email notification list for any of these classes, please go to our Contact Us page and let me know which class you would like to take. I will then send you an email when registration opens. Or wait until September 3rd and fill out the sign up form on the specific class page. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.
Registration for this class opens on October 10. You will definitely improve your felting skills with this class as Teri gives you so many options on ways to create concertina hats. To be added to the email notification list for the felt hat class, please go to our Contact Us page and put Felt Concertina Hat Class in the comment box. Teri will then send you an email when registration opens.
And last, but not least, our Wet Felting for Beginners online class is available any time. You will have unlimited access with this class. So if you’d like to know more about the basics of felting including laying out the wool, embellishments, shrinkage and a variety of felting methods this is the class for you. You can sign up any time at the link above.
Believe it or not, 2018 is coming to a close and the last of my online classes for 2018 begins on October 5, 2018. There are four different modules that are all about experimentation with mixed media techniques creating surface design on felt. Each class is 4 weeks in length with an extra 2 weeks of instructor support at the end of the 4 weeks. The classes are only $45 US with PDF information and videos presented each of the 4 weeks. There is a ton of information packed into the 4 weeks so it’s a great bargain. Anyone from anywhere in the world can take these courses, no need to show up at a certain time (you can even wear your pajamas).
The first module is called Nuno Felting with Paper Fabric Lamination. You will learn the technique of Paper Fabric Lamination and then how to use these pieces in nuno felting.
The second module is Experimental Screen Printing on Felt.
The samples above were created by former students in the screen printing class. You will also be able to use these techniques to screen print fabric such as silk to use in nuno felting. These same techniques can also be used on cotton fabric to use in fabric collage or quilting. You will learn how to create thickened dye, make your own screens and many ways to use these screens in an experimental approach. Click here for more information about Screen Printing and to register for this class.
The third module is Printing, Stenciling, and Playing with Thickened Dye on Felt.
(Photos above by a former student.) This one is really fun and experimental. Learn to make stamps, stencils and how to use a variety of objects from around the house to create your own unique surface design on felt. Develop your own style with designs you have created. The techniques you learn in this class can be used for felt, other fabric types and even paper. The stamps and stencils can be re-used over and over and applied in different ways to create exciting patterns. Click here for more information about Print, Stencil, and Play with Thickened Dye on Felt and to register for the class.
The last module in the series is Free Motion Machine Stitching on Felt.
In this course, you will learn the basics of free motion machine stitching and how to use this specifically on felted projects. Does the thought of machine stitching seem a bit scary? If so, you should take this course to get a handle on how to use your sewing machine to create wonderful embellishments on felt paintings or other felted items. We’ll start with how to set up the machine and some great practice techniques that will build your skill level until you feel comfortable with your machine. Then you’ll learn about machine lace, thread sketching and how to incorporate machine stitching into felt paintings. Click here for more about Free Motion Machine Stitching on Felt and to register for the class.
I hope you want to expand your fiber art skills. If so, click on any of the links above to read more about the classes, see the supply lists and to register. I look forward to “seeing” you in class!
And don’t forget, if you are a beginner, our online class Wet Felting for Beginners is always available.
This class teaches you all about wet felting. You’ll learn how to make a piece of felt, how shrinkage works and how to calculate it and the basics of felting, fulling and creating felt from wool fiber. Click here for more information and to sign up.
You can now register for any of the four modules of Embellishing Felt with Surface Design Techniques – A Mixed Media Approach. Just hop over to the online classes page that you’re interested in and fill out the form at the bottom of the page. All four modules will be starting April 6, 2018. I would suggest taking these classes one at a time and not trying to double up or take them all at once. They are all online four week classes with an extra two weeks of tutor support and make up time if you get behind. Click on any of the links below to register or for more information about the class. Each module will be offered on a quarterly basis and the class schedules are listed on each page.
The first online class of Experimental Screen Printing on Felt just finished up and I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the creations of the great group of students that participated. I have also included their feedback and testimonials about the course. I am planning another session of this class in the fall if you missed it and you’d like to take the class.
This first set of work is by Teri and she posted quite a bit more over on her blog if you want to check out more of her screen printing. This is what Teri had to say about the class:
Two methods really stood out (and were new) for me: – the deconstructed screen printing, I can see myself doing a LOT of this in various guises (mixed with some of the other techniques) and probably isn’t something I would have stumbled across on my own – the vinyl resists, this is a great technique for making more permanent screens and I love the positive and negative option this method offers
The videos were a great addition although I found them a bit long (finding 2 hours to watch videos on top of making the screens and printing was pretty tough some weeks), is it possible to edit them down? That might also help with some of the download problems too?
The PDFs were great, I am sure I will be referring to those again and again, and the discussions on the boards was really helpful too, especially when other students shared what they had been doing.
Thank you Ruth, I have had an absolute ball with this class and I have a huge pile of printed felt to show for it! Now I just need to find some uses for it all….
These next two pieces are deconstructed screen printing by Selma. Selma said:
I was behind in gathering all the right equipment in a new country and with a lack of space things didn’t really go smoothly for me. I liked the course as It gave us the basics and opened the door to many possibilities that screen printing has to offer. Now when I feel more comfortable with the whole process I will enjoy experimenting further. The videos are very clear and thorough but I had problems with loading some of the videos which definitely slowed me down as well. I couldn’t go back back and forth when needed and just wanted to see certain part of video so I printed all the PDF instructions and have them on hand while working. It was nice to see other people’s work and experience on the boards. Ruth was always very helpful and quick in her responses.
Cheryl created the screen prints above. Here’s what Cheryl had to say about the course:
Having online classes absolutely fills a learning gap for me. I live in a rural area and can not afford nor have the time to travel to locations to take these classes (although some of the classes I’ve seen offered in the UK or Australia might be wonderful to attend in combination with other travel).
Before seeing this class offering I had actually already read another book about screen printing! I am a visual learner so having the videos is good for me even though I ended up going to the library to view them. After seeing the videos having the pdfs to use is invaluable, trying to use the pdfs without having viewed the videos would not work for me.
I will continue to screen print, I will need to figure out how to incorporate it with what I’m doing now and experiment with other fiber techniques. I like the freezer paper resists and using the shredded paper and oatmeal resist the best. I have the painted interface ready to use and have the vinyl fuse for resists to use.
I hope to be on your email list for future classes.
The work above is by Tonya. She over-dyed a couple of the pieces which you can see on the top right. She also even screen printed a 3D vessel! We discussed some options on how to keep the print more visible on the finished vessel and she is going to explore this area further.
And last but not least, Sam created the screen prints above. She did a double layer of printing to get the tree scene with moon.
It was a great class and I really enjoyed teaching it. You don’t get to see everyone’s work in an online class because some people don’t participate in the sharing and discussion but the work I did get to see was awesome. I just love the different effects that you can get with these techniques. Thanks to the students that did participate and I look forward to the next class. I hope you’ll join me in the fall.
