There are several textile workshops on offer at the Senior Times’ 50 Plus Show, taking place in March at the RDS in Dublin. There are more 50 Plus Shows scheduled in other cities later in the year: Limerick, Sligo, Cork, and Galway.
Textile and Art Related Workshops
10:30 AM – Water Marbling (Arts & Crafts Stand). Turn your work on paper into a silk scarf with Asta Jackobson (Asta will also be holding further workshops on the Asta Fashions Stand)
10:30 AM – Weaving Workshop with Seamus Kirwan (Wool Experience Stand)
11:30 AM – Weaving Workshop with Seamus Kirwan (Wool Experience Stand)
12 PM – “Joyful Stitching” with Tamara Fiabane (Arts & Crafts Stand) A mixture of needle felting and embroidery to create a flat piece of art, which can be a sheep, a bee or something of your imagination.
1 PM – Painting Workshop with Dublin Art Classes (Arts & Crafts Stand). Take home a small original painting
Editor’s Note: The Registration is via a calendar app that isn’t as obvious as it could be. To find it, click on the Blue Circle Button (The Pink Arrow is for emphasis). See the images below to find where to click and what the registration form looks like.
Or you can contact the organisers by email to register: brian@slp.ie
Where to find the Blue Button to registerScreenshot of the Booking Form
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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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On Sunday, the 12th of October, 2025, Feltmakers Ireland Guild hosted a fully booked workshop for 25 members, led by Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland, based in Cavan.
Sandra, an accomplished feltmaker, raises Roscommon sheep on her farm, processing their wool for her felting projects. She offers workshops and sells felting kits, sharing her expertise with enthusiasts.
The Supplies
Clockwise from the top left: Roscommon needle felted wool for core of birds, grey-coloured felting pads, sharps container for broken needles, sample wrens, scissors, templates, bark with wires, and extra felting needles.Roscommon wool dyed in Wren colours by Sandra
For our Sunday Session, participants crafted needle-felted wrens mounted on tree bark, using wool from Sandra’s sheep and materials she provided. Her clear instructions, detailed templates, and inspiring samples guided attendees in shaping the birds’ bodies, wings, and tails. Sandra’s hands-on teaching style, coupled with her warm, humorous demeanour, created a welcoming environment for all skill levels. She offered personalised support, visiting each table to assist.
Students Concentrating
Sandra recommended that students look at their phones to find photos of what a wren’s feathers looked like. As students layered on Sandra’s hand-dyed wool for the colouring of the birds’ feathers, Guild member Jane Fox shared about an app to identify birds’ songs: We downloaded the Merlin App so we could hear both the song and call of the Wren.
The guild expresses gratitude for Sandra’s generosity and expertise; we are thrilled to have a renowned artist lead the session. The workshop’s success highlights her skill in teaching and the charm of her 3D felted sculptures, which left members inspired and eager for more.
To see more of Sandra’s work, purchase her kits or book a workshop, visit her business, Crafts of Ireland – https://craftsofireland.ie/ You can also find her at the Knit + Stitch The Eikon Exhibition Centre, in Lisburn, UK, stand D53.
This month, committee member Lorna Cady brought ‘Biscuits without History’, the latest instalment in her ongoing series of baked goods, which she kindly brings each month.
We are once again grateful to Sandra Coote for travelling from Cavan to teach us, for the fully enrolled workshop, and for the students who generously brought baked treats to share. We also appreciate the committee’s help in organising this Sunday’s Session.
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.
This month’s Sunday Session with Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland is now fully booked! We’re delighted to welcome 25 students to the 3D Needle Felted Wren Workshop.
A friendly reminder will be sent by email to all participants — we know how busy life can get.
If you registered for the class but are now unable to attend, please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com
Members who didn’t manage to secure a spot this time are welcome to come along and observe the session.
When: Sunday, the 12th of October.
The Sunday Session’s hours are as follows: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
On Sunday, the 12th of October, guild member Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland will teach members how to create a three-dimensional, needle-felted wren.
Sandra will provide materials, which include her own Irish-raised wool and the wires for the legs/ feet.
Members, please bring your felting needles and pads. The guild will have a few extra sets for those who do not have these tools.
This session is limited to 25 participants and costs 15 euros.
We will email an online payment link to members on the afternoon of Friday, October 3rd – at 2 PM, Irish Time. If you are not already a member, you can join us via our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/
Sandra will also bring her popular needle felting kits, which will be available for purchase.
The Details
When: Sunday, the 12th of October.
The Sunday Session’s Hours are the following: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Jane Fox wore her name tag and lots of felted flowers while helping the Guild at Bloom 2025
Feltmakers Ireland’s 2025 Season Opener: Name Tag Wet Felting Workshop
What an incredible start to the 2025 season for Feltmakers Ireland! Our recent wet felting workshop, led by the wonderfully talented Jane Fox, was a resounding success, bringing together over 30 enthusiastic participants for a day of creativity, connection, and craft. On behalf of Feltmakers Ireland, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to Jane for making this event truly unforgettable.
Jane’s worktable with the supplies used to make Name TagsSuch glowing colours of the prefelt from Jane!Prefelt now chopped up to make letters for namesSome sample names on Jane’s worktable
The Name Tag Making Workshop was a perfect blend of skill-building and community spirit, with participants ranging from seasoned felters to those just dipping their toes into the craft. Jane’s expertise, patience, and warm, relatable approach created an inviting atmosphere that resonated with everyone. Her ability to guide each participant, regardless of experience level, ensured that everyone left the session not only with newfound skills but also with a sense of accomplishment and joy.
One of the highlights of the day was the creation of personal name tags, each a unique piece of artwork crafted by the participants themselves.
In the workshop, Jane began by explaining and demonstrating how the name tags would be made using two pieces of prefelt. Each student started with a rectangular piece of white prefelt to act as the base. They then chose from colourful pre-felted wool that Jane had kindly prepared beforehand using her drum carder. On top of this, students could add embellishments such as silk, viscose, or even tiny chopped pieces of prefelt to create a confetti-like effect.
Once the decorative layers were arranged, the pieces were wetted down and lightly felted so the fibres began to intermingle and bond.
Cutting Out Letters
After this stage, the colourful prefelt was gently patted dry, ready for the next step. Students then cut out the letters of their names and arranged them either on the white prefelt or on the coloured felt. These layers were felted together and patted dry once more. Jane brought cut-out paper letters for the students to use, while Elizabeth brought silver-coloured, metal ones from a Meccano set.
The Stained Glass Felting Method
Jane shows the back of an image that has the stained glass felting technique, which outlines the various sections.
To make the letters stand out more clearly, students used the “stained glass felting” technique developed by Niki Collier during COVID-19, which culminated in an international exhibition that was shown at the Pearse Museum in Dublin and Gallery Kabllo, Vienna, in Austria – https://making.ie/stories/felt-stained-glass.
The stained glass method involved needle-felting a narrow black border of Merino roving around each coloured field or letter, which gave the shapes a crisp outline and improved legibility. By the end of the process, each participant had created a unique felted name tag, decorated with colour, texture, and clear lettering.
Jane Shows How to Make Narrow Lines with Wool
Members Using the Stained Glass Technique
These beautiful creations will be used at future Feltmakers Ireland events, serving as both a practical tool and a meaningful memento.
Some of the Almost Done Name Tags
A Couple of Longer Names
Jane had a clever solution to those members who had longer names: On a colourful felted ground, one could ‘write’ one’s name using a needle felting tool and black Merino wool. No cutting out of letters is needed!
A Nifty Needle Felting Kit
A couple of members brought along portable needle felting kits that we admired! A rainbow of wool, tools and even finger guards were included.
Biscuits with History
Each Sunday Session, Lorna creates interesting baked goods that have been eaten in the past. This month, she brought Aberffaw Biscuits. We wonder what she will bake next month?
Biscuits by Lorna – always a tasty and educational feature at our Sunday Sessions. Each session, she makes a different type.
The early feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Jane’s ability to make the workshop both educational and fun. Her passion for wet felting shone through, inspiring everyone to explore their creativity and connect with one another in a warm, supportive environment.
Felting Away
We couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off our Autumn 2025 season!
Our Gratitude
Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped our Sunday Session run so smoothly: Lorna for opening the hall and taking care of all of our caffeine needs, Adrienne for greeting the members, Sam for making sure that the hall was left in excellent condition, and the rest of the committee for ensuring that the day ran so well. Stay tuned for more exciting workshops and events with Feltmakers Ireland, as we continue to celebrate the art of felting and the connections it fosters.
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 members include several who teach felting. Some teach wet felting, while others teach needle felting. We even have members who use and teach both techniques!
Below is a sampling organised by A-Z by county of upcoming felting courses taught by members in their local communities.
Co Dublin
Guild member Clodagh Mac Donagh will teach a 10-week Wet Felting evening course at Castleknock College, Dublin 15. The class starts on Monday, January 27th, 2025, and runs from 7 to 9 PM.
“Feltmaking is a therapeutic but slow craft; it takes time to obtain the skills needed to make successful Felt pieces. Weeks 1 to 5 The first weeks will introduce students to wool and its properties and qualities; each class will build on the preceding one. Students will learn a little about some of the different wool breeds and the characteristics of their particular fleeces. They will produce small jewellery elements, creating felt beads, cords or ropes and felt flowers. Week 5 will combine these elements to make a neckpiece, brooch or bracelet. Weeks 6 to 10 will see students working on a small personal project of their choice, based on the skills they have learnt.”
Guild member Belinda Reid will teach a felting workshop at her studio in Kinvara on Sunday, February 9th.
“Join us for a creative and engaging Felt Painting Workshop where you can create stunning felt art using high-quality wool. This 3-hour workshop is perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike!”
Guild member Tamzen Lundy is part of the Gather Collective at Southwells, Market Square, Kildare Town. She is hosting a Wet Felted Jewellery Workshop on Sunday, February 16th, from 2 to 4 PM.
Learn how to make a wool and silk necklace, suitable for beginners, fun and full of creativity!
It would be lovely to share an ongoing monthly series about opportunities to learn feltmaking in Ireland. If you are a member who teaches felting (wet, needle or a combination, please let us know at 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.
Several members of Feltmakers Ireland have upcoming feltmaking classes that may be of interest to our readers. Members’ classes are located throughout Ireland.
Note: If you are a guild member and teach frequently, we can add you to our Resources Page or a future blog post. Please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com to be included.
If you have questions about a particular class, please contact the tutors directly.
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.
The recent Sunday Session in September had a bit of fantasy as we were led by the wonderful Nara Fritch in a workshop making toadstools. The task for the morning was to learn to needlefelt a mushroom of the Fly Agaric variety.
Each participant received a small bag of fibre and the tools, needles, and foam pad to make the mushroom.
Nara is an amazing tutor; as you will see from the photographs, everyone engaged with the task, and the resulting little red mushrooms with white spots were a joy to behold. One person actually managed to make two in the short period. Nara explained how to cover the white cap with red wool, keep a straight line between the colours, and make the cap itself and the stem and join them together. I am sure there are many more toadstools in the making around the country as several members joined us online via Zoom.
Stabbing Away
Some of Nara’s Work
Nara had some wonderful examples of her needle felting on display, not just toadstools of different colours, but also fantastic needlefelted figures. In addition, she displayed pieces of her fused lampwork beads, along with her small-batch roasted coffees and cards.
It was a fantastic Sunday Session. Thank you to Nara for coming to share her knowledge with us and thank you, Suzanne for putting together this post.
Our next Sunday Session will be the 13th of October and is a ‘Feltmaking Playtime’ – bring and share what you are working on with the rest of the Guild.
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.
This Sunday, the 8th of September, artist Nara Fritch will lead the guild in creating three-dimensional, needle felted toadstools.
All supplies are included, but if you have your own needle-felting tools (pads and needles), please bring them, as we think this may be a busy Sunday Session!
When: Sunday, the 8th of September, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
There is ample parking outside the Hall, and the G1, G2, and number 60 buses have a stop on nearby Sarsfield Road.
About Nara
Brief Biography of Nara Fritch by Feltmakers Ireland guild member Clodagh Mac Donagh-
I can’t think of anything Nara can’t do: She used to repair her old Morris Minor herself (as she couldn’t find anyone) and seemed to keep it going for years on string and duct tape. Multi-talented Nara blows glass and makes amazing torched glass beads. She also makes fantastical costumes and masks for theatrical performances, training with the world-renowned Mácnas Theatre company. Additionally, she combines her many talents to create one-of-a-kind art dolls. Nara adores animals and keeps alpacas, miniature goats, ducks, chickens, and dogs. Originally from Seattle, USA, Nara has lived in Ireland for over two decades.
Zoom Link
The Sunday Session will not be recorded, but a Zoom link will be emailed to all members for those who cannot attend in person.
Additional Information
A Sunday Session like this will require lots of tea/ coffee/cake and chat, so there’ll be an abundance of that. Of course, homebakes are always welcome!
There is the usual 5 euro fee.
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.
On Sunday, the 8th of September, artist Nara Fritch will lead the guild in creating three-dimensional, needle felted toadstools. All supplies included, but if you have your own needle-felting tools, please bring them.
When: Sunday, the 8th of September, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Brief Biography of Nara Fritch by Feltmakers Ireland guild member Clodagh Mac Donagh-
I can’t think of anything Nara can’t do: She used to repair her old Morris Minor herself (as she couldn’t find anyone) and seemed to keep it going for years on string and duct tape. Multi-talented Nara blows glass and makes amazing torched glass beads. She also makes fantastical costumes and masks for theatrical performances, training with the world-renowned Mácnas Theatre company. Additionally, she combines her many talents to create one-of-a-kind art dolls. Nara adores animals and keeps alpacas, miniature goats, ducks, chickens, and dogs. Originally from Seattle, USA, Nara has lived in Ireland for over two decades.
Zoom Link
The Sunday Session will not be recorded, but a Zoom link will be emailed to all members for those who cannot attend in person.
Additional Information
A Sunday Session like this will require lots of tea/ coffee/cake and chat, so there’ll be an abundance of that. Of course, homebakes are always welcome!
There is the usual 5 euro fee.
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.
