RECAP: Feltmakers Ireland shares Wet and Needle Felting at the Midlands Fibre Festival

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Mary O’Rourke

A busy indoor market scene with a large crowd of people browsing stalls filled with handmade goods and crafts. The venue features bright lighting and a modern design.
The Midlands Fibre Festival 2026
A busy crafting fair taking place indoors with numerous vendors displaying handmade goods. People are engaging in shopping and conversations, and a large screen in the background promotes social media support for the crafting community.
Another photo of the hall at the Radisson Blu Hotel

On Sunday the 11th of October 2026, five members of Feltmakers Ireland (Elizabeth, Eva, Deirdre, Elaine and myself) represented the Guild at Midlands Fibre Festival at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone.

Felting Demonstrations

We had a lovely, successful day and met lots of interesting people, all of whom expressed a huge interest in wool, felt, and feltmaking. We demonstrated both wet felting and needle felting on the day. People, as is usual when we demonstrate, were fascinated by the process and asked many questions, which were expertly answered by the team.

Two women at a crafting table, one smiling and working with wool, while the other is focused on shaping a felted pumpkin. The booth is decorated with colourful craft materials and displays.
Deirdre and Eva
A woman sits behind a table displaying handmade crafts, including felted bowls and framed artworks, at an exhibition. She is wearing glasses and a blue shirt, with a beige cardigan draped over her shoulders.
Mary at the table
Two women engaged in craft activities at a market stall, with one smiling and holding a felted item while the other prepares materials.
Elaine and Elizabeth
A woman demonstrating a craft activity at a stall, with two visitors attentively watching. The stall features various handmade items and decorations, and there are additional vendors visible in the background.
Elaine demonstrating
A woman creating crafts at a market stall, surrounded by handmade items including felted sculptures, colourful yarns, and decorative bowls. Another woman is seated in the background, observing the display.
Elizabeth’s work
Two women engaged in crafting activities at a market stall. One is working on a felting project, while the other rolls wool. Various handmade felt items, including colourful owls and decorations, are displayed on the table.
Deirdre and Eva
A woman crafting felted figurines at a craft fair table filled with colourful handmade items, including pumpkins, owls, and a whimsical puppet.
Eva’s Work – @feltedvision
A display of various handcrafted felted items, including whimsical figurines, pumpkins, and owls, arranged on a table at a craft fair.
Our display
A display table featuring handmade felt items, including a felt bowl and various small felt decorations. There are framed artwork pieces depicting landscapes and trees, alongside promotional materials and a schedule for upcoming workshops. A woman in a blue top is seen in the background, engaged in a crafting activity.
Elizabeth and Dee’s work

Needle Felting Workshop

We also ran a workshop where six ladies learned to needle-felt a flower brooch in just 90 minutes. They each completed their piece and took home a brooch they made themselves.

A woman wearing a striped blue sweater with a red felt flower pin is sitting at a table, looking down at her hands with a smile. A clear bag containing colourful materials is placed on the table in front of her.
A smiling woman with curly hair is sitting at a table, wearing a grey long-sleeved top with a vibrant felt flower brooch. She is in a setting with stalls in the background, indicating a market or fair.
A woman smiling while wearing a dark brown sweater adorned with a large pink flower brooch, sitting at a table with craft materials in the background.
A woman with glasses seated at a table, wearing a grey t-shirt adorned with a large pink and orange flower. She has long hair with beads and appears to be in a casual setting.
A smiling woman wearing a pink sweater with a felt flower brooch, seated at a table with strands of wool and a crafting tool.
A woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing glasses and a green and white striped top, sits at a table. She has a large purple felt flower pinned to her shirt and is looking to her right. A clear bag with purple craft materials is placed on the table in front of her.

Our Book

A scenic view of sheep grazing in a green field with mountains in the background, accompanied by various felted wool creations including bowls and decorative items.

Interest in our book “Exploring Irish Wool for Felt Making” was high, and several copies were sold.

Three people joined Feltmakers Ireland on the day, with several others expressing interest.

Thank you!

It was a great day, and we must thank Chad and Mary, the Midland Fibre Festival Organisers, and their team of volunteers, all of whom were lovely and very willing to help us in any way they could.

Next year’s Festival will be Sunday, 23 May, 2027, back in Athlone!

Exhibitor Display at the Festival

A display of fashion garments including a pink dress with gold stripes and a grey knitted sweater on mannequins. A grey dress with red accents is visible on a table alongside various artistic items.
Display of some of the Midlands Fibre Festival participants – includes Mary’s tunic (on the table) made with Lena Archbold and Dee and Eva’s pieces, along with fibre from guild member Katarina Hruskova of WoolstoreIE and pink tunic from guild member Karen Bowden of Fabulous Fibres.

The Instagram for the organisers: @midlandsfibrefestival

Volunteer Eva’s Instagram: @feltedvision


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