Via Feltmakers Ireland guild member Hélène Dooley, who is part of the Education Team of the International Feltmakers Association (IFA) and helps to administer their ‘Discovering Feltmaking’ courses.
Registration is now open for the International Feltmakers Association‘s five online felting courses.
Each course commences on 1st October, and they are all fully supported within the virtual classroom by experienced mentors who check in daily to answer questions and provide their support over the two-month duration. Course material is available indefinitely to students who, in addition to their spot in the virtual classroom, also have access to a private group within Facebook.
Students can also purchase fibre packs which are relevant to the course they are taking.
Below is a brief description of each course, with a link to videos and additional information:
- Discovering Feltmaking 1 | Basics: Students make a series of samples from different breeds that guide them towards a clear understanding of how feltmaking works. Through sampling and slow felting, they learn about the variety of wool breeds and the different results that can be achieved from felting each one. (link: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-1/ )
- Discovering Feltmaking 2 |Colour: This course gives students the skills to blend their own hues, tints, and shades of wool. It covers essential colour theory, how to card using carding brushes, and students make felt shade swatches for future reference. After this, students explore soft and firm prefelt effects by creating inlay and mosaic design samples. (link: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-2-2/ )
- Discovering Feltmaking 3 | Surfaces and Edges: This course focuses on creating surface texture using non-felting fibres and also making decorative edges in the felt. Students are encouraged throughout to experiment and expand their skills in this important area.(link: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-3/ )
- Discovering Feltmaking 4 | 3D Forms: Answers the questions about how to make felt in 3 dimensions. Students learn how to make seamless felt using a resist. It also covers cutting into felt and shaping the hollow form. And finally, how to adapt a resist to make the felt functional. (link: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-4/ )
- Discovering Feltmaking 5 | Nuno: There’s lots of practical information on the Nuno course, including how to select suitable Nuno felting fabrics, make an effective soapy solution, calculate shrinkage, ‘repair’ non-felting areas, and work with a prefelt recipe. Students also learn three different nuno felting techniques. (link: https://www.feltmakers.com/df5-nuno/ )
Excellence in Feltmaking Award
Students can choose, if they wish, to work towards the Excellence in Feltmaking Award, and each course supports their submission pieces. The following link provides further information on the Award. https://www.feltmakers.com/the-award-excellence-in-feltmaking/
If anyone would like to find out more, they are very welcome to send Hélène an email at dfcoordinator@feltmakers.com
The IFA’s Instagram: @internationalfeltmakers
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