Sunday Session Recap: Felting Alongside Friends โ€“ A Creative Sunday Gathering

A group of people engaged in a workshop or activity around a table, with various bags and items on the table, featuring a mix of ages and clothing styles.


By Adrienne Dempsey

On Sunday, the 12th April, a small but dedicated group of Feltmakers Ireland members came together for a truly enjoyable session of wet and needle felting. The day was filled with creativity, shared techniques, lively conversation, and plenty of inspiration. It was also especially lovely to welcome two new members into the group.

The morning unfolded in a vibrant display of colour and texture, with members working on a variety of beautiful pieces. Creations included felted hearts, bowls, bags, jewellery, and intricate 3D needle-felted animals. There was also great interest in embellished work using Angelina fibres, which added a distinctive sparkle to many projects.

A sincere thank you goes to Margaret Ryan Collins, Christine Bond, and Sandra Chase for demonstrating wet felting techniques and sharing their expertise with the group. Adrienne Dempsey and Sam Fagan also demonstrated printing and embossing with fusible Angelina fibres, showing how these can be used to add decorative, eye-catching elements to felted pieces.

Throughout the session, members collaborated and supported one another. Highlights included beautifully crafted wet-felted bowls and hearts, embellished brooches, works-in-progress such as felted bags, and charming needle-felted creations like a delicate bunny. It was wonderful to see both finished pieces and projects still evolving.

We rounded off the session in the best possible wayโ€”with tea, coffee, great conversation, and delicious hot cross buns. A special thanks to Lorna for providing this lovely treat. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, skills, and enthusiasm. It was a warm, inspiring, and thoroughly enjoyable creative morning shared among friends.

Here are photographs from our session:

Two women engaged in a crafting activity, working with materials on a table. The image includes four smaller pictures showcasing their finished craft pieces against a red background.

Sam Fagan (left) and Adrienne Dempsey (right) demonstrate working with Angelina Fibres.

Christine Bond (left) and Mary Lee (right) wet felting together.

A handmade turquoise felt heart with a central decorative pattern in shades of red and pink.

Mary completed a wet-felted heart and embellished it with Angelina Fibres.

A handmade felted bowl with a green and blue interior on the left, and a multi-coloured abstract design on the right.

Christine completed a wet-felted bowl, front and back.

ย Adrienne Dempsey shared her needle-felted, embellished Angelina Fibre brooches.

An elderly woman with short white hair wearing glasses, focused on crafting with yarn, seated at a table in a workshop setting. She is dressed in a green coat and scarf, with a partially finished green and black bag in front of her, surrounded by various crafting supplies and materials.

Hilary Osman is working on her unfinished projects, adding a button closure to her felted bag.

A rectangular piece of felted wool in shades of blue, red, and hints of turquoise, featuring a textured surface.

Sandra Chase shared her wet-felted bag; it is a work in progress.

A woman with glasses smiles while holding a bright orange heart-shaped felted item, surrounded by various handmade felt animals including a hedgehog, fox, owl, and panda, showcased in a collage format.

Lauren Kirwan completed a wet-felted heart and shared a beautiful display of needle-felted pieces.

An elderly woman in a red jacket holds a handmade felt rabbit while smiling at the camera.

Mairรฉad de Burca shared a lovely needle-felted bunny.

Two women engaged in a creative crafting session, working on a table with various materials including colourful fibres and tools.

Margaret Ryan Collins (left) and Pat Duggan (right) wet-felting together.

A decorative round object with a textured surface, featuring a mix of deep orange and blue colours. It has a small, orange top resembling a balloon.

Pat completed a colourful wet-felted bowl.

Two women engaged in a crafting activity, one slicing a piece of material while the other observes. The setting is a well-lit indoor space with tables and decorations in the background.

Sandra (left) and Laura (right) wet-felting together.

Book cover titled 'The Complete Photo Guide to Felting' by Ruth Lane, featuring colourful felted materials and key highlights about felting techniques and tips.

Great book shared at the session, “The Complete Photo Guide to Felting” by Ruth Lane.

A handwritten note explaining the history of hot cross buns, detailing their ingredients, traditional consumption on Good Friday, and modern-day availability in supermarkets.

Lorna Cady’s ongoing series: Buns (or biscuits or cakes) with History!

May Session

Our May Session will be our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, the 10th of May, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. There will be the usual business of the AGM, plus a special guest speaker, Zoรซ Daly of the Wicklow County-based company ร‰riu. There will be the annual drawing for a Bursary of 250 euros for a member to use for a textile-related workshop. Of course, we will enjoy tea and coffee, and member-supplied tasty treats.

We hope to see you there!

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:ย If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions:ย For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Update: Felt & Fabric Design Transfer Workshop POSTPONED – Members Welcome to Come to Felt Alongside Friends instead

Promotional image for a felt and fabric design transfer workshop. It features a round, cream-coloured felt bowl with an embroidered bee design on the front. The top text includes details about the workshop, highlighting a postponement due to fuel issues and an invitation for participants to bring their own projects.

UPDATE:

Due to the Fuel Situation, we will reschedule the Image Transfer Workshop to a later date so that members affected by fuel rationing can attend. Details to be provided later.

Felt Along Session

HOWEVER, members are VERY welcome to come this Sunday for an informal felt-along session.

If you have any WIP (works in progress), incomplete textile projects or wish to Felt Alongside Friends, this Sunday’s Session is the opportunity to do so.

Please bring your wet and/or needle felting kits to this session, along with your fibre.

The usual tea and coffee will be provided.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 12th of April, 2026, 10:30 AM โ€“ 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked good to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell.


NO Zoom Access to this Sunday Session:

Unfortunately, we will NOT be able to provide Zoom access for this Sunday’s session, as our tech support (Juliane) cannot attend. Thank you for your understanding.


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: Felt & Fabric Design Transfer Workshop – with Adrienne Dempsey

A felt bowl featuring an embroidered bee design, promoting an April workshop for felt and fabric design transfer.

This Sunday, we will learn how to transfer designs onto felt fabrics using soluble fabric and heat-transfer techniques with committee member Adrienne Dempsey.

In this workshop, weโ€™ll explore different methods for transferring designs and bring them to life through needle felting.

Youโ€™ll create a motif that you can use in your own artwork or transform into a decorative piece, such as a brooch.

Materials we will use:

โ€ขLinen and silk canvas fabric
โ€ขHeat transfer materials, fabric pens
โ€ขSoluble fabric
โ€ขVilene, cotton batting, calico, and Pellon
โ€ขParchment paper
โ€ขNeedle felting wool (black & white and a selection of colours)
โ€ขFelting needles
โ€ขIron
โ€ขEmbroidery threads & beads (optional)

What to bring:

Bring both your Needle and Wet Felting Kits

  • Felting wool and felting needles
  • Felting pad
  • Towel
  • Bowl for water
  • Soap
  • Bubble wrap
  • Small scissors
  • Embroidery hoop (6 inch, optional)

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 12th of April, 2026, 10:30 AM โ€“ 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked good to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell.


NO Zoom Access to this Sunday Session:

Unfortunately, we will NOT be able to provide Zoom access for this Sunday’s session, as our tech support (Juliane) cannot attend. Thank you for your understanding.


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.

Sunday Session: Felt & Fabric Design Transfer Workshop – with Adrienne Dempsey

A felt bowl featuring an embroidered bee design, promoting an April workshop for felt and fabric design transfer.

For our April Sunday Session, we will learn how to transfer designs onto felt fabrics using soluble fabric and heat-transfer techniques with committee member Adrienne Dempsey.

In this workshop, weโ€™ll explore different methods for transferring designs and bring them to life through needle felting.

Youโ€™ll create a motif that you can use in your own artwork or transform into a decorative piece, such as a brooch.

Materials we will use:

โ€ขLinen and silk canvas fabric
โ€ขHeat transfer materials, fabric pens
โ€ขSoluble fabric
โ€ขVilene, cotton batting, calico, and Pellon
โ€ขParchment paper
โ€ขNeedle felting wool (black & white and a selection of colours)
โ€ขFelting needles
โ€ขIron
โ€ขEmbroidery threads & beads (optional)

What to bring:

Bring both your Needle and Wet Felting Kits

  • Felting wool and felting needles
  • Felting pad
  • Towel
  • Bowl for water
  • Soap
  • Bubble wrap
  • Small scissors
  • Embroidery hoop (6 inch, optional)

The Details:

When: Sunday, theย 12th of April, 2026, 10:30 AM โ€“ 12:30 PM.

Where:ย CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additionalย Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked good to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell.


NO Zoom Access to this Sunday Session:

Unfortunately, we willย NOT be able to provide Zoomย access for this Sunday’s session, as our tech support (Juliane) cannot attend. Thank you for your understanding.


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: Second Printing of ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ Now Available in Libraries Across Ireland

Cover of the book 'Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking' featuring a rural landscape with sheep and feltmaking materials. Text on the right announces 'Our Book is in the Library!' and shows a search result from Libraries Ireland with availability details.

Weโ€™re delighted to share that the second printing of ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ is now available through the library system in Ireland.

If you search your local library catalogue or visit the Libraries Ireland website, youโ€™ll find that there are currently 20 copies in the system. Some are still on order and being processed, but you can reserve a copy and have it delivered directly to your local branch for collection.


You can find and reserve the book here: https://librariesireland.spydus.ie/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/754928726/80649840,1

Editorโ€™s Note: You will need a valid library card to reserve the book.

Thank You to Our Supporters

Everyone at Feltmakers Ireland would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all of our wool-loving readers and supporters who have made this second printing possible.

We are especially grateful to artist and guild member Annika Berglund for being the book’s editor. She took on the complex and detailed work of establishing the wool breed testing subcommittee and organised the results into a cohesive, educational, and beautifully presented book.

Prefer to Own Your Own Copy?

If youโ€™d like to add ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ to your own textile book collection, you can purchase a copy directly from our website: https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/


Whether you borrow it through your local library or keep a copy on your own shelf, we hope this book continues to inspire your exploration of Irelandโ€™s rich and diverse wool heritage.

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: Interactive Wool Crafts – European Wool Day in Tralee

Promotional poster for 'Interactive Wool Crafts' event, featuring various wool crafts including felting, spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, and Lumra rug making. Details include the date, time, location at Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, and an invitation for individuals, families, and groups to attend.

On Saturday, the 28th of March, European Wool Day will take place at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee, Co Kerry. In conjunction with the Conference Talks, there is a full day of free interactive demos of woolcrafts from experts all over the country.

Volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will be part of the Interactive Wool Crafts Room. We will demonstrate needlefelting and host hands-on felting circles for the public. The wool that we will use is Irish-raised and was purchased from ร‰riu and WoolstoreIE. We are grateful to have received some funding from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

In addition to Feltmakers Ireland, other individuals and groups will be part of the Interactive Wool Crafts room. The list includes several members of Feltmakers Ireland: Karen Bowden (Fabulous Fibres), Lucia Errity, and Emily Thompson.

The lineup, with links to their Instagram:

There will also be a free-to-attend exhibition of artwork from Feltmakers Ireland and two other sister textile organisations:

When: Saturday, the 28th of March, from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Where: Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry, V92DC83

For more information about European Wool Day, visit their website – https://ewe.network/ewd2026/

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: ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ – Helena Mc Guinness – February Sunday Session

On Sunday, the 8th of February, members of Feltmakers Ireland were delighted to have the multitalented artist, storyteller and committee member Helena Mc Guinness show us how to create felted hearts using a combination of wet and needle felting.

A variety of handmade felt decorative items, including colourful stones, a starfish, and a polka-dotted red piece, arranged on a grey table surface. Some items are wrapped in bubble wrap.
Helena’s samples that use the combined technique

Helena shared many interesting tidbits about how one can approach felting. Here are some of our favourites:

  • Thanking the Sheep for their wool
  • Allowing oneself not to think one needs a huge towel or a big setup
  • Using small sponges to wet the felt instead of more expensive tools, such as ball brausers
  • Adding the olive oil soap after wetting allows more control
  • Rubbing more reduces the need to roll
  • Adding a small metal ring by using needle felting instead of stitching

Scroll to the bottom to watch the video of our session.

A plastic container filled with yellow and green sponges, with some sponges stacked and others lying flat.

Students at the Session

Completed Hearts

Heart Photos kindly taken by Adrienne Dempsey

If your heart was not included, or you were working alongside at home via Zoom, please email us a photo of your completed heart. feltmakersIE@gmail.com

A Group Photo

A diverse group of twelve people, mostly women, smiling and posing together in a community centre, each holding colourful handmade crafts, with a banner visible in the background.
A photo of some of the students – taken at the very end of the session. Sorry if we missed everyone.

Biscuits with History

A tin filled with heart-shaped iced shortbread biscuits, accompanied by a handwritten sign explaining their significance linked to St. Valentine.

‘Biscuits with History’ is an ongoing series of baked goods created by committee member Lorna Cady. They are always so fun!

Appreciation

Many thanks to Helena Mc Guinness for leading us in an educational and enjoyable Sunday Session. Thank you to the members who helped set up the room and who assisted in guiding some of our newer felters.

Video

Sunday Session Video

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: ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ – Wet & Needle Felting with Helena Mc Guinness

Poster for a felting workshop titled 'Heart on Your Sleeve' on a colourful background, featuring a heart shape and details about the session led by Helena Mc Guinness.
Artwork on poster from Helena Mc Guinness

THIS Sunday, the 8th of February, we will have our second Sunday Session of 2026.

Committee member Helena Mc Guinness will lead us in creating small hearts, using both wet and needle felting techniques. The Theme is ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’.

Please bring your wet and needle felting kits. The committee will have extra felting needles for those who do not have them, along with ball brauses (sprinklers).

We will also provide Merino wool. But if you have specific colours you prefer to use, it would be helpful to bring them along.

Your Wet Felting Kit should include:

  • an old towel to catch water, plus a smaller one to dry your hands
  • bubble wrap
  • bowl for water
  • felting soap of your choice
  • sprinkler or ball brause

Your Needle Felting Kit should include:

  • felting needles
  • sponge or brush or needle felting pad to felt into
A handmade felt heart with vibrant purple, orange, and pink colours, featuring a metal ring attached for hanging or keychain use.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 8th of February, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked treat to share and a travel mug (to reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology โ€“ there will be access via Zoom, although it is not quite as lovely as being with us in person.

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email the Zoom link to all members on this afternoon

Membership Renewal:

If you have already renewed your annual membership, we thank you for your support!

If you still need to renew, you can do so quickly and easily by visiting our Membership Page online: https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

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.

Sunday Session: ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ – Wet & Needle Felting with Helena Mc Guinness

Poster for a felting workshop titled 'Heart on Your Sleeve' on a colourful background, featuring a heart shape and details about the session led by Helena Mc Guinness.
Artwork on poster from Helena Mc Guinness

On Sunday, the 8th of February, we will have our second Sunday Session of 2026.

Committee member Helena Mc Guinness will lead us in creating small hearts, using both wet and needle felting techniques. The Theme is ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’.

Please bring your wet and needle felting kits. The committee will have extra felting needles for those who do not have them, along with ball brauses (sprinklers).

We will also provide Merino wool. But if you have specific colours you prefer to use, it would be helpful to bring them along.

Your Wet Felting Kit should include:

  • an old towel to catch water, plus a smaller one to dry your hands
  • bubble wrap
  • bowl for water
  • felting soap of your choice
  • sprinkler or ball brause

Your Needle Felting Kit should include:

  • felting needles
  • sponge or brush of needle felting pad to felt into
A handmade felt heart with vibrant purple, orange, and pink colours, featuring a metal ring attached for hanging or keychain use.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 8th of February, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked treat to share and a travel mug (to reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology โ€“ there will be access via Zoom, although it is not quite as lovely as being with us in person.

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email the Zoom link to all members on the afternoon of Friday, the 6th of February.

Membership Renewal:

If you have already renewed your annual membership, we thank you for your support!

If you still need to renew, you can do so quickly and easily by visiting our Membership Page online: https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

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: FI-West January Sunday Session – Felted Flowers with Karen Bowden – Co Galway

A group of people participating in a felt-making session, creating felted flowers. They are gathered around a table with various colourful materials and tools. The setting is bright and casual, located in Co Galway.
Leader Karen Bowden is wearing the cream jumper with red cherries.

On Sunday, the 18th of January, Feltmakers Ireland-West met up in Tuam, Co Galway, for their Sunday Session.

Committee member Karen Bowden of Fabulous Fibres led them in creating Wet Felted Flowers.

To read the recap and see more photos, visit the Feltmakers Ireland-West blog – https://feltmakersireland-west.com/blog/

Feltmakers Ireland-West’s February Sunday Session on the 15th will be led by Katarina Hruskova, who will teach how to make needle-felted hearts, using Irish wool.

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.