Tag: IFA Region 14

Education: International Feltmakers Association’s Discovering Feltmaking Courses – Registration Open

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

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

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.

Education: IFA’s Discovering Feltmaking Online Course – Colour and 4 Other Courses

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The International Feltmakers Association’s online Colour Course is now open for enrollment. Coursework access begins on January 2nd and ends on February 28th, 2025. In addition, four other classes are available that run during the same time: Basics, Surface & Edge, 3D Forms, and Nuno Felting.

“DF2 | Colour gives you the skills to blend your own hues, tints and shades of wool. Learn essential colour theory through hand carding and make felt shade swatches for future reference. Explore soft and firm prefelt effects by creating inlay and mosaic design samples. A truly practical course on understanding colour, DF2 is highly recommended for beginners and professionals.”

For more information, visit the IFA’s website – https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-2-2/

To see all five classes, here is the link – https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-course/

The IFA has a branch for all of Ireland – Region 14. To join, visit here – https://www.feltmakers.com/join-the-international-feltmakers-association/

The class is open to IFA members and non-members.

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.

Education: Online Felting Class with the IFA

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) offers online workshops through the Discovering Feltmaking series, designed to help feltmakers, both new and experienced, understand the process of making wet felt.

  • Part 1- Discovering Feltmaking
  • Part 2 – Using Colour
  • Part 3 – Surfaces and Edges
  • Part 4 – 3D Felt

Each course focuses on a different aspect of feltmaking and gives ample opportunity for practice and experimentation.

For example, if you want to learn about colour mixing, surface design, getting exciting edges, 3D felting, and shrinkage rates for different breeds? All these topics, plus much more, are covered in the courses.

Each course pays particular attention to the quality of the finished felt. All are fully supported by mentors, who check in twice daily with the students to offer advice and encouragement.
The courses also offer great value for money, and you will have unlimited access to the material.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Hélène Dooley will assist with Parts 2 and 3.

Please follow this link to find out more: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-course/

Education: Online Feltmaking Workshops via IFA

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) has a series of online wet felting workshops: Part 1- Discovering Feltmaking; Part 2 – Using Colour; Part 3 – Surfaces and Edges; and Part 4 – 3D Felt.

These online workshops have been developed by the IFA to help create an understanding of the process of making wet felt, paying particular attention to the quality of the finished felt.

These courses are invaluable for all feltmakers. You may be just starting out in feltmaking or, as a more seasoned feltmaker, want to find answers to your questions.  Our workshops teach you how to make small-scale samples using the wet-felting method. By the end of each course, you will have created a personal resource that you can refer to for all of your feltmaking projects. Open to IFA members and non-members.

The IFA has a branch for all of Ireland – it’s Region 14. To join, visit here – https://www.feltmakers.com/join-the-international-feltmakers-association/

For more information on the workshops, visit the IFA’s website – https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-course/

Exhibition: Wonderful WOOL by members of IFA – Region 14

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

“Wonderful WOOL” is an exhibition by members of the International Feltmakers Association, Region 14, at Larne Museum & Arts Centre.

Poster for ‘Wonderful WOOL’ with a piece by Hélène Dooley.

This exhibition shows the versatility of wool, a wonderful natural product which can be felted wet or dry. A variety of wools have been used in the various exhibits – combined in different ways with other materials such as silk, viscose and cotton. There are 3D objects, hangings, pictures and wearable pieces such as hats, scarves and coats.

Cutting the ribbon. Left to right, back row – Shelley Steele, Jane Fox, Ann McCullough, and Gail Cooke. Front row – Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna (Mayor of Larne) and Anne Bennett. The Mayor is wearing a shawl made by Shelley, purchased at Shelley’s 2019 exhibition.

The exhibition features work by 15 members of the Association – Anne Bennett, Annika Berglund, Nicola Brown, Niki Collier, Gail Cooke, Hélène Dooley, Noelle Ferris, Jane Fox, Juliane Gorman, Ann McCullough, Laura Moffett, Jacki Sleator, Shelley Steele, Astrid Tromp-Hofman, and Leiko Uchiyama.

Jane Fox is pictured with one of her pieces from the display, “Woodsman and Dog”.

Visitors have said:

“Amazing talent and fabulous exhibition.”

“Just wonderful!”

“Beautiful!”

Anne Bennett with her ‘Spring Hug Shawl”.

All the exhibits have been created by members of Region 14 of the International Feltmakers Association. Our members come from across the island of Ireland, including feltmakers of international renown and those just starting their creative journey.

Shelley Steele with two of her pieces.

The exhibition is open to the public from Friday the 7th until Thursday the 27th of July and includes Saturday opening on the 22nd of July.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 4.00pm.

Exhibition: Wonderful WOOL – Exhibition by IFA Region 14 Members

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Several members of Feltmakers Ireland have pieces in the International Feltmakers Association – Region 14 members’ exhibition, ‘Wonderful WOOL’, set in the Larne Museum and Arts Centre, Larne, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK.

The event runs from the 7th to the 27th of July, with an opening celebration on the 22nd.

For more information, visit – https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/events/wonderful-wool