Vanda F Sousa is a member of Feltmakers Ireland and a talented tutor who offers a range of online wet felting courses.
Her upcoming class is ‘Wet Felting Connections – Cords and Chains’, and it focuses on connecting basic felt forms to create more complex shapes.
In the class, students will explore the following:
Rings and chains
Two types of horizontal connections
Vertical connections
The aim of the class is to help felt makers who are still building their foundations, as well as those who have been felting for a while but feel gaps in their foundational knowledge that they don’t know how to fill.
The class is online, with lifetime access.
Vanda is currently offering an Early Bird price of €49 until August 31st. (The regular price is €59).
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UPDATE: 14th of May. Unfortunately, this workshop has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances with the tutor.
Feltmakers Ireland is pleased to announce a hands-on, 3-Day Workshop to create a Reversible Nuno-Felted Vest with international tutor Jacki Sleator.
In this immersive course, students will use silk fabrics and Merino wool to create rich, textural effects. By layering wool, silk, and other fibres, they will experience how the materials transform and contort as the wool shrinks during the felting process. Guided step by step, students will develop both technique and creative confidence to leave the workshop with their own unique reversible vest.
There is the option to make a short or long-styled vest.
When: Friday-Sunday, the 5th-7th of June. 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The price is 200 eurosper member and does not include supplies.
The price for non-members is 240 euros and does not include supplies.
This course is suitable for intermediate felters.
Note: The supply list will be sent upon enrollment.
If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact us at feltmakersIE@gmail.com
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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.
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The results of the workshop captured by Hélène Dooley
On Saturday, the 26th of April, 20 students gathered around artist and Feltmakers Ireland guild member Annika Berglund to learn about Fine Feltmaking. In the morning, we concentrated on flat, two-dimensional wet felting, and during the afternoon, we focused on creating a three-dimensional vessel.
What is Fine Felt?
With this type of wet felting, the aim is to create dense, smooth felt. It is not a fast process. She shared that she came across the slow approach during her research for the guild’s Irish Wool Project. One of the wool tester’s felted samples were exceptionally smooth and tight. In querying this person, she deduced that our usual method, which involved a bit of rubbing and a lot of rolling, needed to be reexamined. By slowly compressing the fibres, the results are better!
Consequently, during the Fine Felt Technical Workshop, we didn’t toss or throw. Instead, we took it slow. Annika said we might never seek this patience-requiring method again, but we would know and have the option to use it in our future felting. Nevertheless, Annika reminded us that “Felt is Forgiving”.
Throughout the workshop, the students used only two colours: black and white. This simple limitation allowed us to experience how colours combine through the feltmaking process. Similarly, we learned about the differences between the wispy and the blunt ends of a wool shingle and how they can impact the final project. There was a lot to think about!
Annika demonstrating layout
Morning
In the morning, we worked on a flat square of felt. We learned how to carefully lay out Merino wool roving to a specific size and then gently transform the fluff into felt. Annika explained the hows and whys of why we might want to shrink our samples more or less. Interestingly, we worked in imperial measurements (inches) because the percentage shrinkage was more obvious. As we shrank down our pieces, she reminded us to remember the edges!
Annika is demonstrating compressing the fibres
Afternoon
In the afternoon session, the students concentrated on creating a three-dimensional sphere. We used a flat, circular-shaped resist to make this hollow form, a vessel. Interestingly, the afternoon vessel layout was a quicker process. However, similar to our morning education, this felting process needed a delicate touch. Annika reminded us that with rolling, it can get bumpy; the resist inside may bunch up, but you’re in control.
Annika is demonstrating how to lay out a three-dimensional sphere.
Busy Hands
Laying out the fibres.Compressing the fibres through the bubblewrap.Making a flat squareMicrofulling in pointy corners.Rolling in hands.Checking shrinkage.
If you are more experienced with three-dimensional felting, Vanda Sousa has an upcoming online course that may be of interest. It is for designing resists to make felted slippers, shoes and boots – https://www.vandafsousa.com/resists-made-easy-for-footwear
Appreciation Time
Many thanks to the volunteers who assisted in setting up the room and helping the students: Loli Cox, Adrienne Dempsey, Hélène Dooley, Marie Dunne, Sam Fagan, Juliane Gorman, Fiona Leech, Caitríona Nolan, and Suzanne Phelan.
Sam was invaluable, continually lending a hand behind the scenes.
Sam filling the Burco with more water.
A special thanks to Lorna Cady for taking care of the CIE Sports Hall and the tea, coffee, and sweet treats!
Lastly, a huge thanks to Annika Berglund for taking on this workshop for the Guild. She has a marvellous way of getting the students’ attention and also making us laugh!
A Video of the Day!
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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.
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We are excited to announce our upcoming technical feltmaking workshop, ‘Fine Felt’, which will be held on SATURDAY, the 26th of April, from 10:00 AM to 4 PM.
This ‘Fine Felt’ Technical Workshop is recommended before taking our more advanced ‘Basic and Beyond: Felted Bag with Handle’ workshop on the 8th of June.
This year, we are offering a Technique Improvement Workshop aimed at beginner and intermediate wet felters. The course aims to examine “Fine Felting,” which is traditionally desired in the craft of felting.
The class is a repeat of last year’s Fine Felt Technical Workshop, but students are welcome to retake it if they wish.
The Schedule
The class is made up of two parts: A Square 2D sample and a Small 3D Vessel.
In the morning, beginner wet feltmakers will learn how to lay out wool using a flat 10-inch template and how to felt, full, and shrink. We will look at the graduation of colour and shrinkage rates.
A team of helpers will be available to anybody needing support.
During the morning session, more experienced feltmakers can focus on creating a very light, even layout using 10 grams of wool for a 10-inch square. We will look at how to get the densest, finest felt possible while working on creating a perfect square sample with a shrinkage of 30%, 40%, 50% or possibly 60%, depending on our speed of felting.
This may not be how we would do felting on an everyday basis. But, this session spent truly concentrating on careful felting should improve our overall felting work.
We will break for lunch. Please bring something to eat as we will only have 30 minutes. Tea and coffee will be provided. Bring a ‘travel mug’ to cut down on paper cup waste.
In the afternoon, we will apply our learnings from the morning to make the finest little vessel possible. We will use a different layout (spokes and wheel), laying out 10 grams of black and white wool around a 20 cm circular resist. The goal will be to create a very thin, fine vessel, that is well-felted and sturdy.
SUPPLIES
We will supply ALL wool and materials needed for the workshop.
Please bring TWO towels.
We will have spares, but if you have the following items, please bring them with you:
A bowl
A water sprinkling brauser or similar (optional as we will have spares)
Small sharp scissors
Ruler with inches AND centimetres
When
We will start at 10:00 on the dot as we have much to cover. Please try to be there a few minutes early to get settled in.
Feltmakers Ireland is keen to promote Fine Felting, and for this reason, we are offering this all-day workshop at the low price of 30 euros for members.
If you have friends who have been wanting to join the Guild or will want to take the Basic and Beyond Workshop in June (The Felted Bag with a Handle), this Fine Felt Technical Workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn how to make Fine Felt.
The Members Only price will be in effect until Monday, the 14th of April.
There are only 27 spots available.
Registration
Please register BEFORE the 14th of April to reserve your spot at the lower price. After the 14th, the workshop will cost 40 euros per person (for non-members and members).
Note: Members have ALREADY received an email announcement with a Payment Link on Friday, the 21st of March, 2025.
If you have not received the email or have ~just~ joined Feltmakers Ireland and want to register, please email feltmakersie@gmail.com.
We will send you a link to pay online via credit or debit card.
This will be an in-person class, and, unfortunately, Zoom attendance will not be available.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via the above email.
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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.
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Since 2020, many felting tutors now teach online. However, there are still in-person workshops. Below are two tempting wet felting workshops: One in the UK with Liz Clay and the other in Hungary with Judit Pocs.
Fine Felt Making with British Wools with Liz Clay – West Sussex, UK
The UK has more than 60 sheep breeds ranging from hill and mountain to fine and lustre wool types.
In Liz Clay’s workshop, students will work with a variety of processed native wools in natural colours, gaining insight into their suitability and potential for different feltmaking projects. They will explore techniques and processes to develop two- and three-dimensional designs through guided sampling exercises. Beginners are welcome!
Judit Poc’s Playing with Shapes – 3 Day Workshop in Hungary
Join Judit Pocs for a three-day, in-person 3D wet felting workshop in Hungary. Students will create small sculptures using a variety of exciting techniques. A key feature of these sculptures is that they will be hollow and filled with plastic granules before being felted together.
Students will explore how to design a sculpture in a flattened form using an internal template. Additionally, participants will experiment with creating double and triple-layered shapes.
When: Workshop Days: the 4th through the 6th of July, daily, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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.
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Editor’s Note: Fiona’s classes are popular. To find out earlier, you may want to sign up for her email newsletter.
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 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 is now open for the 2025 International Felt Symposium, Gift of the Lambs, by the picturesque Orfű Lakes in Southern Hungary. Five instructors will lead workshops across two sessions, sharing the magical synergy of felt-making and creative collaboration.
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.
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The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) offers a series of five different online felting classes. These Discovering Feltmaking Courses begin in October and include Basics, Color, Surfaces & Edges, 3D Forms, and Nuno Felting.
You can work at your own pace with qualified mentors giving advice daily.
The classes are open to IFA members and non-members.
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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.
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Feltmaker and tutor Dagmar Binder has a series of interesting three-dimensional feltmaking classes on offer. Each topic is a stand-alone course.
These online workshops take place over two days during one weekend, with a three-hour live Zoom session each day, supported by video and PDF instructions for you to work independently at home. Videos are accessible for two more months after each class. There are three groups available for the different time zones
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.
