Felting Day

I've just joined a felting study group associated with Potomac Craftsmen. This group started just a year ago with a small group of women. There are now about 12 of us and nearly all of us are novice felters, taking up the craft only recently. Well, you couldn't tell that by the items these women brought for show and tell. Many of them have taken workshops over the summer, some classes lasting 2 weeks. These women are a talented bunch. Above and below are photos of two felted rugs that Nan is working on. They are so beautiful in person, the colors are amazing and the felting is so well done. She raises alpacas and uses their wool in the felting process. We ooohed and aaaaahed, and of course, fondled.





Roz made this autumnal jacket at one of the summer workshops.




I can't remember who did this tam but we all loved it.


Sharon took a class on creating Victorian clothing. She even welded a hoop for a hoop skirt! This is a head piece that she felted with a lovely flower on the side. Sharon is a clothing designer and has crazy sewing skills. She can take felt material and create a tailored jacket fit the runway.



And then Sharon brought out this device and asked everyone if we knew what it was. There was dead silence (quite a feat for 12 women!) and then someone asked, "Where do the batteries go?" That got us all laughing, because we were all thinking the same thing! It really is some sort of tool for pulling the felted wool into shape. I can't remember the official name though, but I'm sure it works great.