Felt making is an ancient textile process. Come and learn, in one day, how to transform washed and combed sheep's fleece into beautiful, tactile, durable felt; using nothing more than soap, water and friction!

Course outline

We will start the day learning the secrets behind the felting process, why some breeds of sheep felt better and faster than others, and why felt shrinks so much. The morning session will be spent learning and doing the "how to" of felt making; using pre-dyed combed and carded wool fibres. We will go through making up felting soap solutions, laying out the wool, wetting out, creating pre-felts (half felt) and fulling (shrinking) the finished felt. There will be plenty of opportunity for experimentation and we will make at least one roughly A3 sized sheet of flat felt before lunch. There will be a selection of books provided to get the creativity flowing if you get stuck for inspiration.  Those who have the basic knowledge of felt-making will have the opportunity of creating something more complicated.

In the afternoon session we will build on the skills learnt earlier in the day and each make a felted bowl or vessel using a seamless three dimensional felt making technique.

Neither piece of felt will be totally dry at the end of the day, so some plastic to wrap the felt in to transport it home is advised. Also please wear comfortable, sturdy non slip shoes as you will be up on your feet and someone always spills a little bit of soapy water!

Special, but only for those who have some previous experience:  Frances will teach you how to make a hat

Click on Frances's name to see more about the leader.

COMMENTS  from  former students:

I wish the day were longer -

I feel that I achieved an awful lot in a day.  Frances was very patient with us and a brilliant inspirational teacher.  Bob and Annes' hospitality and catering were 5 star.

A thoroughly enjoyable course with an excellent tutor.  A 2-day course would have been even better!  Ellie.

Brilliant - all I ever hoped for.  When is the intermediate course?  Super lunch.

A lovely day - thank you.  Beautifully organised.

An excellent day. Will sign on for the November course.  Thank you all very much.

Enjoyed the course.  Is there to be a next step course?

Great.  I can't wait to come back.  Can we have another felt making course please.

Have enjoyed an interesting day with a great tutor.  Look forward to coming again.