Felting II: 3D Techniques and Fundamentals

In-person with Kara Perpelitz

Course Description

Building on the foundations that were cultivated in Felting 1, Felting 2 expands both wet and needle felting skills. Students will create sculptural pieces with needle felting techniques, starting with "blobimals" (Vaguely animal-like creatures), then create posable characters by incorporating wire armatures. Students will also create 3D forms by using resists, shibori felting techniques, and expand on the use of the concept of differential shrinkage to create texture and dimension. 

Course Fees: $395 + $65 materials kit fee (required)

Syllabus

Students will:
  • Review basic needle felting techniques
  • Learn 2D relief techniques in both wet and needle felting
  • Learn 3D sculptural techniques in both wet and needle felting
  • Experiment with wrapping or coiling techniques
  • Use one or more of the previous sample techniques, create a 3-D sculptural piece
  • Use a felt modality to try and replicate the textures found in nature (ex: tree bark, moss, rocky surface, etc.)

Projects include:
  • Needle felted characters with wire armature.
  • Small round vessel.
  • Asymmetric wet felted vessels with folds.
  • 3D Dreamscapes using wet felting.
  • Combining wet and needle felting techniques in a project of their own design.

Supplies

Please bring any and all of the following that you may have on hand:

  • Sewing scissors
  • Snips
  • Upholstery weight sewing thread
  • Sewing needles
  • Pins
  • Measuring tape
  • Sewing notions (buttons, ribbons etc)
  • Marbles
  • Notebook and pen and/or sketch book and pencil
  • 20 feet of 18 gauge armature wire (non tarnishing)
  • 2 pairs of needle nose pliers, 1 wire cutter
  • small bag of elastics
  • 1 - 12'' re-inflatable ball (like the kind you find in the Walmart toy aisle)
  • 1 empty sour cream container (or similar)  

Note: your materials kit (includes felting needles, wool and other fibres, soap, felting foam blocks) will be provided by the instructor at the first class.

*For a brief list of frequently used suppliers, please see Where can I purchase supplies? on our FAQ page.