Tag: International Feltmakers Association

Education: IFA’s Quintet of Online Felting Courses – January 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) online courses for wet feltmaking are currently open for enrollment. There are five different courses, and each covers a specific area of interest to felters:

The January-February Coursework access begins on the 2nd of January, 20206 and ends on the 28th of February, 2026. The courses run three times a year with a period of access to the online material. The other two slots are scheduled in May/June and October/November.

The workshops are delivered step-by-step, on-screen, and as downloadable or printable PDFs through the Ruzuku platform. Students work at their own pace and can use the online group forum to ask the course mentor any questions. Students can also share their work through peer feedback and discussions.

Fibre packs can be ordered if needed.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Hélène Dooley is one of the mentors with the IFA Discovering Feltmaking Courses. She masterfully guided us through the ‘Cracked Earth’ and ‘Geode’ techniques during our April 2023 Sunday Session!

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

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

These online courses are open to both IFA members and non-members, and would make a perfect gift for oneself!

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 Quintet of Online Felting Courses – Now Open

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) online courses for wet feltmaking are currently open for enrollment. There are five different courses, and each covers a specific area of interest to felters:

The October-November Coursework access begins on the 1st of October and ends on the 30th of November, 2025. The courses run three times a year with a period of access to the online material. The other two slots are scheduled in January/February and May/June.

The workshops are delivered step-by-step, on screen and as a downloadable or printable PDF through the Ruzuku platform. Students work at their own pace and can use the online group forum to ask the course mentor any questions they may have. Students can also share their work through peer feedback and discussions.

Fibre packs can be ordered if needed.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Hélène Dooley is one of the mentors with the IFA Discovering Feltmaking Courses. She masterfully guided us through the ‘Cracked Earth’ and ‘Geode’ techniques during our April 2023 Sunday Session!

For more information and to register, visit the IFA’s website – 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 online courses are 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.

Of Interest: New FeltMatters Podcast – Season 3 Episode 4 – Felting Together

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The latest episode of the International Feltmakers Association’s (IFA) FeltMatters podcast is now available.

In this episode of Felt Matters, hosts Vivienne Morpeth and Heather Potten explore Heather’s deep-rooted connection to Orkney. Heather shares her fascination with her Orcadian heritage and jewellery from her childhood, specifically pieces by the innovative designer Ola Gorie. As they discuss their shared love of Celtic and Norse art, the conversation evolves into a felting project primarily inspired by these cultural symbols. The episode unfolds with tales of Heather’s formative years in Orkney, weaving in elements of mythology, family, and creativity, resulting in unique felted pieces representing these rich influences. – from the episode’s listing.

To listen to episode 4 of season 3, visit the IFA’s YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UUvZpfeyMM

To see examples of what Heather and Vivienne created, visit the FeltMatters’ Instagram page – @feltmatters.thepodcast

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 the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Exhibition: Flax Flower Project Unveils Felt Installation at Titanic Museum – Belfast

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

Twelve talented artisans from three felting organisations—Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association (IFA)—have collaborated on the Flax Flower Project, a unique wet-felted installation set to debut at the Titanic Museum on Tuesday, the 1st of July, 2025. The exhibit, which celebrates Belfast’s rich heritage in flax and linen production, will run through August 2025 and return each summer thereafter.

The Flax Flower Project showcases intricate floral designs crafted from sustainable materials, including Merino wool, bamboo fibres, Margilan silk, silk fibres, and flax strands for hanging. This vibrant display blends traditional craftsmanship with innovative textile art, highlighting the cultural and industrial significance of flax in Belfast’s history.

Behind the Scenes

Shelley Steele and Jane Fox co-coordinated the Flax Flower Project. Shelley expressed her enthusiasm: “It’s been a great pleasure to organise The Flax Flower Project alongside Jane Fox. Bringing together such talented artists to honour Belfast’s legacy has been truly rewarding.”

Loli Cox, a member of Feltmakers Ireland and IFA, added: “I was thrilled to join this project, which celebrates Belfast’s flax and linen heritage while showcasing the sustainable art of feltmaking. This exhibit not only honours our past but also inspires sustainable creativity for the future, aligning perfectly with Feltmakers Ireland’s mission to promote natural fibres like sheep’s wool for wearable and artistic applications.”

The project reflects the felting organisations’ commitment to sustainable textile practices and the revival of traditional crafts. It highlights feltmaking as a sustainable art form, while also celebrating the heritage of linen-making—a craft that was once a cornerstone of Belfast’s economy. Through the tactile and creative process of wet felting, these artisans will educate the public about the historical and cultural significance of flax and wool, promoting eco-conscious artistry.

The contributing artists are Sharon Bell, Loli Cox, Jane Fox, Siobhán Healy Ryan, Marie Hopkins, Viktor Hurtovyi, Elaine McCombe, Laura Moffett, Jacki Sleator, Shelley Steele, and Fiona Whyte.

The Artists

For more information about the Flax Flower Project or to schedule a visit to the Titanic Museum exhibit, please visit the website. – https://www.titanicbelfast.com/

Feltmakers Ireland is dedicated to promoting sustainable textile practices and raising awareness of natural fibres through innovative and traditional feltmaking techniques – https://feltmakersireland.com/

The IFA fosters a global community of feltmakers, encouraging creativity and collaboration in the art of feltmaking – https://www.feltmakers.com/

Feltmakers North supports artisans in Northern Ireland, preserving and advancing the craft of feltmaking through education and exhibitions. https://feltmakersnorth.blogspot.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.

Of Interest: New FeltMatters Podcast – Season 3 Episode 2 – Felting, Bees, and Collaboration

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
FeltMatters the Podcast hosted by Vivienne Mortpeth and Heather Potten. The Bees - Lydia Needle's Fifty Bees CIC Project.

In Season 3, Episode 2 of the International Feltmakers Association‘s podcast, Felt Matters, hosts Vivienne Morpeth and Heather Potten delve into the theme of artistic collaboration, featuring an interview with needle felting artist Lydia Needle, whose surname fittingly mirrors her medium. Lydia shares her transition from teaching to working with wool and explores the ecological and artistic motivations behind her ambitious 50 Bees project, which highlights the importance of bee conservation.

The episode underscores the impactful role artists can play in confronting global issues, highlighting how informal, creative education and collaborative expression can drive meaningful change.

To listen to this specific episode, visit their YouTube page – https://youtu.be/neCFqU87gzA?si=unAXZE-CPy9hklwy

This page on YouTube links to all of the podcasts- https://www.youtube.com/@internationalfeltmakers

Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Lydia Needle’s Instagram – @lydianeedle Her 50 Bees Project on Instagram – @fiftybeescic

FeltMatters Instagram – @feltmatters.thepodcast

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 the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Of Interest: New FeltMatters Podcast on Vivienne Morpeth’s Cyanotype Collaboration – Also, Online Cyanotype / Natural Dyeing Course with Ashleigh Ellis

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

A New FeltMatters Podcast

FeltMatters - Photo of Heather Potten, Alun Kirby and Vivienne Morpeth as they create this recent podcast
Pictured: Feltmatters co-Host Heather Potten as she interviews Vivienne Morpeth and Alun Kirby about their collaboration with Cyanotype and Nunofelting.

The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) has just released the first podcast of its third season: The Blueprint of Art: Cyanotype Meets Felt. In this episode, Heather Potten interviews her co-host, Vivienne Morpeth, and artist Alun Kirby about their collaboration with Cyanotype and Nunofelting.

As always, the FeltMatters podcast is fascinating, as they discuss the trial-and-error process, artistic exploration, and the interplay between established techniques and modern art forms.

To listen to the IFA’s FeltMatters Podcast, visit YouTube – https://youtu.be/5VCZrsf4vHo?si=94B_GzicUZpj96IQ

Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Online Cyanotype Course

Poster of Natural Dyers & Growers Academy - the host of Ashleigh Ellis Natural Dyeing and Cynotype course.
Pictured: Poster for upcoming online course – ‘The Magid of Natural Dyes & Cyanotype Printing’ with Ashleigh Ellis.

Unrelated to the IFA’s podcast, there is a timely opportunity to study cyanotype printing on paper, fabric, and other substrates with Irish artist and instructor Ashleigh Ellis. The course, ‘The Magic of Natural Dyes & Cyanotype Printing,‘ combines Cyanotype with Natural Dyeing to create further colourways.

The Welcome Module opens on the 19th of March, and the Live Zoom is on the 26th of March, at 4 PM. There are five live Zoom sessions, all of which are recorded and sent to students.

This course, hosted by The Natural Dyers and Growers Academy, will run from March 26th to May 21st.

For more information about the course, visit Ashleigh’s website – https://www.ashleighellis.ie/the-magic-of-natural-dyes–cyanotype-printing-an-online-course.html

On Instagram: @ashleighellis_natureartist

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.

Of Interest: Season 2, Episode 2 of FeltMatters – The Podcast

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
  • Slippers by Olga Exley

Hosts Vivienne Morpeth and Heather Potten of the International Feltmakers Association’s (IFA) FeltMatters: The Podcast are back with the second episode of Season Two of the program. They speak with feltmaker Olga Exley about her felted slippers – it’s fascinating to take a deep dive into this specialised felting topic, where fibre types, shrinkage coefficients, and other tips are discussed!

In addition, there is a segment where Louise Curnin and fellow feltmaker Jackie Stringer share their thoughts on the excellent West Hungary Felt Tour organised by Flóra Carlile-Kovács. Find information about the tours HERE – https://www.felttours.com/felt-tours

Lastly, Heather highlights the fantastic experience of working alongside shepherd and feltmaker Janna Turner, where they worked with raw Gotland fleece to create a seat cover. Lots of interesting tidbits about sheep shearing and local wool in this segment!

Subscribe to the channel to avoid missing future podcasts.

To tune in to the podcast, visit the IFA’s YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@internationalfeltmakers/videos

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.

Recap: Celebrating Felting at The Knitting and Stitching Show – Belfast

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
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.

Registration to Early Access Tickets to the Show can be found here – https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/belfast/2025-sign-up/

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.

Event: Knitting and Stitching Show Opens Next Week – Belfast – Members and Friends Will be There

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland


Members and friends of Feltmakers Ireland will be exhibiting at The Knitting and Stitching Show in Belfast. This includes Tamzen Lundy, Sandra Coote, and a raft of volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association.

  • When: The 7th through the 10th of November.
  • Where: The Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast.

Say ‘Hello’

Tamzen Lundy Designs

Guild member Tamzen Lundy‘s felted Brussel sprouts and other Christmas ornaments will be available at the CraftNI Gallery Showcase – Booth E86.

Crafts of Ireland – Sandra Coote

Guild member Sandra Coote’s business, Crafts of Ireland, will display her Irish wool Needlefelting kits, Lumra kits, and other creations at Booth D53.

Three Felting Guilds

Volunteers from Feltmakers North, The International Feltmakers Association, and Feltmakers Ireland will collaborate to demonstrate wet and needlefelting at Booth G30. Editor’s Correction: We will be at G34.

Discount Code

Lastly, the Knitting and Stitching Show has arranged a discount code for us: Use code FELTMAKERSIR  to save £2* at checkout! 

T&Cs: Save £2.00 on adult and concession tickets. This is for Standard Single-Day Adult tickets. It is not valid on VIP, Two-Day, or group tickets. Codes expire at 11:59 PM, November 3rd, 2024. £3.50 transaction fee applies per e-ticket order.

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Show’s website – https://knittingandstitchingshowbelfast.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options?

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.