Felt-Making for Beginners
Course Overview
Do you love colour, pattern and texture? Do you enjoy working with your hands?
Join us for a fun, hands-on day of felt-making! This ancient craft combines wool fibres with heat, moisture and friction to create a durable, matted fabric with endless modern applications—from wearables and accessories to home décor and fine art.
In this class you will learn:
- The basic techniques of the felt-making process
- Different laying out methods to shape and design your felt
- How to incorporate colour, pattern and texture into your creations
- Finishing techniques for durable and long-lasting felt
- Tips, tricks and sourcing materials for future projects
Felt-making is an incredibly forgiving medium and people are often surprised at what they can achieve, especially those who consider themselves ‘uncreative’. There are no ‘mistakes’ and each piece just shows you another iteration of this amazing material. It’s a voyage of discovery where you can go at your leisure and follow your own inclinations.
By the end of the workshop, you will take home:
- A flat felt piece (perfect for a table mat or a stitched pouch)
- A small seamless pod/vessel
- Step-by-step notes and resources for continued exploration
Please note: this workshop involves a moderate amount of repetitive arm movement as part of the felting process.
Materials List
- A pair of scissors
- Two old towels
- A plastic bag to carry your piece home if it’s still wet
- An apron (optional, if you’d like to stay dry)
- Don’t forget to pack a lunch—we’ll have a break to relax and recharge!
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About the tutor
Gill Brooks
Mad keen on textiles from an early age, Gill experimented with everything under the sun: dyeing, sewing, embroidery, knitting, rug-making, you name it. In 1994, she attended her first felt-making workshop and that was it. She had found her perfect medium and has been felting ever since. Over the years, Gill has attended many workshops, often with the who’s who of the international felting world, including Jorie Johnson, Marjolein Dalinga, Alexander Pillin and Jeanette Appleton. Gill has been teaching workshops since 2002 and has introduced hundreds to the joys of felt-making and the versatilities of handmade felt. Gill designs and makes one of a kind accessories which she sells through various handmade craft shop and galleries. Her work has been featured in a variety of magazines including Vogue Living and Home Beautiful. ‘I’m continuously inspired by this extra-ordinarily versatile medium, it’s wonderful properties and its amazing history. A never-ending world of possibilities.
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