The 8th Biannual ‘Journées Européennes du Feutre‘, also known as The European Felt Days Felting Festival, will occur in Felletin, France, from the 25th to 27th of April, 2025. The festival will feature various activities, including a fashion show, a craft fair, an exhibition, and workshops.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Surface Design Association (SDA) is seeking proposals for its quarterly journal. The theme of the spring issue, ‘Felting: Wet & Dry’, is likely to be a subject to which our feltmaking readers might like to contribute.
SDA states, “We truly value the work, viewpoints, and perspectives of our members and fiber community and would love to hear from you.” Editor’s note: We interpret this to mean that writers do not need to be members of SDA.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Our first Sunday Session of the year will be exciting and only open to Feltmakers Ireland members. It is a hands-on sampler workshop where 27 members can make a sample using Leiko Uchiyama’s ‘Pine Needle Technique’.
Only 27 members can participate in this Sunday’s hands-on session. If we receive more than 27 requests, participants will be selected through a random draw from a ‘virtual hat.’ Additionally, 10 to 15 more members are welcome to attend as observers. These will also be selected randomly.
Important: To participate, attendees must renew their Feltmakers Ireland Membership for 2025. To renew, visit our Membership Page, where debit and credit card payments are now accepted. After renewing, email us directly to be entered into the ‘virtual hat.’
Class description from Leiko:
We will make a small sample of the ‘Pine Needle Technique’, one of my iconic works. This is a wet felting technique used to create lacy felt.
I will bring my hand-dyed mix of 50% 17.5 micron Merino and 50% silk, which I usually use for this technique. It is €7/25g, and two to three people can share one bundle. This could be a good opportunity to try this material. Normal merino can also be used.
I will also bring some of my other types of wool (21, 18 and 16 micron Merino and Corriedale) for sale.
If you need any particular colours, please let Leiko know beforehand by emailing feltmakersIE@gmail.com
What to bring:
Fine Merino wool top (10g), or you can purchase Leiko’s 50/50 silk mixed wool.
Small sharp scissors
Small bowl for cereal, soup… or Tupperware, etc, to dip the wool.
Bubble wrap 35-40cm square (1)
Liquid or grated soap
Rolling pin (about 3cm diameter x about 30cm long) (1)
Small towel or cloth for rolling (2)
A small towel to dry your hands
A plastic bag
Biographical Information on Leiko Uchiyama Feltmaker
Leiko Uchiyama is a felt-making artist based in the rural county of Carlow, Ireland. She has lived and worked in France, New Zealand, and Indonesia, as well as her native Hokkaido, the north island of Japan. She has exhibited and given workshops in many different countries.
Leiko initially studied Animal Science, and she developed an interest in sheep, before going on to study textiles.
Her work ranges from functional pieces, such as tableware and rugs, to wearable items like tunics, scarves and wraps, to more esoteric felt work that inhabit the growing space between craft and fine art. She believes the origin of craft lies in creating something for someone special, not only to serve a function, but to make our lives more colourful and rich.
This first session of the year will require lots of tea, coffee, cake, and chat, so there will be an abundance of these. Of course, home bakes are always welcome!
We will NOT have a Zoom link for this Sunday Session.
To have the opportunity to attend this event, please renew your annual Membership and then directly email us with an expression of interest.If you are not a member, we welcome you to join usat Feltmakers Ireland!
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
While Merino wool often takes centre stage in textile discussions, Feltmakers Ireland’s book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, introduces readers to the rich diversity of Irish wool. Featuring 40 breeds of sheep raised in Ireland, the book dives deep into each breed’s fibre characteristics, highlighting how their wool can be used for wet and needle-felting techniques. It’s an eye-opening journey into the potential of locally sourced fibres that are often overlooked.
Practical and Inspirational
Packed with tips, tricks, and hands-on advice, this book is a go-to resource for anyone looking to prepare, dye, and work with wool using simple, natural ingredients.
What’s Inside
Felt
The Project
Sourcing, washing, and preparing fleece for felting
Dyeing wool
Getting started using plant dyes
Felting with raw wool
The breeds tested and a few words about the samples
Suppliers and washers/carders
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Glossary
Index
Support Sustainability
Give a gift that champions eco-friendly practices. By exploring and using local wool, readers can preserve traditional skills, support local farmers, and reduce reliance on imported materials.
Order Today
This Christmas, give the gift of craft, connection, and creativity. ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking‘ is perfect for fibre artists, crafters, and anyone who loves learning about heritage and sustainable living.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Photo of the Titanic Exhibition Centre by Cindy Chang – Textile Art Design and Fashion / BSOA-Ulster University
From Thursday, the 7th of November, to Sunday, the 10th, 2024, feltmaking enthusiasts gathered at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Belfast. It was an exciting first for the city, as this beloved event had previously been held at the RDS in Dublin until 2019. This year, three passionate felting guilds—Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association—came together to celebrate and share the magic of feltmaking with the public.
Appreciation to Jane
The event was organised by the wonderful Jane Fox, a dedicated member of all three guilds, who brought together a group of enthusiastic volunteers.
Jane Fox, who patiently organised the three groups of felters.
The Volunteers
Our team of helpers included Sandy, Hélène, Susan, Maighread, Ann, Fiona, Jayne, Beverley, Leah, Deirdre, Sharon, Eva, Sam, Elizabeth, Dympna, Juliane, Lorna, and Lissy. (Our apologies if we missed anyone!).
Some of our Work
Throughout the event, we demonstrated both wet felting and needle felting techniques, enchanting visitors with the transformative process of turning wool into vibrant, textured creations. The colours, textures, and creativity on display captivated the public.
Photos of felted creations taken by Cindy Chang – Textile Art Design and Fashion / BSOA-Ulster University
Members with Booths
Two members of our guilds displayed their work at the Knitting and Stitching Show.
Louisa Kelly, a member of Feltmakers North, exhibited her needle-felted and embroidered creations.
Louisa Kelly – on the far right of the image.
Member of Feltmakers Ireland, Sandra Coote, exhibited with her business Crafts of Ireland. She displayed her needle felting kits, Lumra pillow kits, and pick-and-mixes of her hand-dyed wool. All of Sandra’s fibre comes from her own Irish-raised sheep.
Sandra (on the right) and her two adult children in dark blue, who helped at the event,
Connecting with feltmakers from different organisations was a true joy as we shared tips, stories, and inspiration, while introducing our craft to new audiences.
The Future
Here’s to more gatherings, more creativity, and more opportunities to share the art of feltmaking!
Next year, The Knitting & Stitching Show will be held at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, from 13th–16th November 2025.
Editor’s Note: Except for the TEC building and the close-ups of our felted creations by visitor Cindy Chang, the photographs come from the volunteering guild members. Thank you to all!
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Feltmakers Ireland’s wool book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, was recently featured in the blog of feltmaker and educator Vanda Sousa (Going the Dodo Way). It’s an excellently written article that covers our book! In addition, Vanda covers two other projects working with local wool on the Iberian peninsula.
Editor’s Note: Going the Dodo Way blog has several highly recommended articles that are both practical and thoughtful. Here are five (there are many more!)
If you are a wet-feltmaker, Vanda’s blog contains valuable and exciting information! There is a Felting Resources section on her website, and she teaches online courses. You can ensure that you will not miss any of her blog posts by subscribing to her email newsletter – https://www.vandafsousa.com/updates
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
We will make a wet-felted Holiday Star for window decoration – perfect for Christmas or year-round!
There will be a choice of three finished models using wool yarn, Merino wool, and, for one version, Wensleydale locks.
What to bring:
One large and one small towel.
Sewing pins
Small sharp scissors
Bubble wrap – approximately sized at 25 by 50cm
Soap and water bowl
Ball brause or sprinkler
A plastic bag
Bio of Annika Berglund
Portrait of Annika Berglund
Annika Berglund, a graduate of NCAD, has shown work in solo and group exhibitions nationally and abroad and has won several awards, including the Crafts Council’s price for Best Craft in the Garden 2008 and the NUI Art and Design Prize 2010.
Moving from ceramics, glass, and bronze to felt in 2020, one of her earliest felt pieces depicting the COVID-19 virus was acquired by the National Museum of Ireland. Having had one solo show and many group shows featuring Felt, Annika was a primary contributor to Feltmakers Ireland’s research project around Irish wool and the resulting book,Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking. She is currently Treasurer of Feltmakers Ireland.
Annika’s upcoming solo exhibition, Tapestry, opens on the 17th of November at 15:00 in the Olivier Cornet Gallery (after the Sunday session). She would like to welcome you all to attend if you have the opportunity.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
The online felting event, Felt United, is happening this Saturday, October 5th, 2024.All over the world, those who work in the media of felt are encouraged to share one piece related to this year’s theme.
This year’s Felt United theme is ‘Opposites Attract,’ an inspiration familiar to our guild. Some of our group were initially challenged by the theme, but it can be as simple as contrasting colours or the combination of sea and shore.
Felters from around the globe show their felt to the world, work on collaborations, travel the world to meet each other, party, celebrate, exhibit, teach, talk and share. Everybody in their own way, all united by working on the same theme, same day, same joy but different ideas.
Share your new theme-related creations online with Felt United.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Registration opens today for the Felting and Fiber Studio‘s ‘Felted Hanging Spiral Course‘, taught by Feltmakers Ireland member Hélène Dooley. Adding movement to an art piece takes it to a new dimension. The shape becomes fluid, even mesmerising.
This is a four-week course, and it is delivered through the following media:
A series of short videos which take students step-by-step through the process. Each video forms a single unit in the process. The result is that students can easily pick up where they left off and do not need to devote huge chunks of time to making their spirals in one or two sessions.
A set of PDF files which tie into the videos.
Daily access to the classroom chatroom for the duration of the course.
The course starts on Friday, the 11th of October and runs through the 8th of November.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Recently, former Feltmakers Ireland chairperson Breda Fay got together with some people in the felting community of Feltmakers North, a feltmaking organisation based in Hillsborough with around 40 members from Northern Ireland. Note: This meeting wasn’t an official Feltmakers North session.
By Breda Fay
Great day felting in Donaghadee, in Co Down, with a few members of of the Northern Ireland felting community and Mandy Nash (former chair of the International Feltmakers Association), Dympna Curran from Feltmakers North, Jane McCann, who gave us her kitchen and dining room, and three new but enthusiastic felters from Ards Peninsula.
It was my first time doing “inside out” nuno felting…. so it was a new skill and wonderful company. The weather was very changeable, but still clear enough to look over at Scotland!
Apologies: An earlier edition of this article incorrectly included Jane Fox instead of Jane McCann.
Editor’s Note: If you are a member and have taken a felting class or have other news of interest, please email feltmakersie@gmail.com
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
