The day started with learning a little about how feltmaking was discovered an how it has evolved with time. We started with basic techniques and the students made some multi-coloured layered beads. With soapy hands and a gentle touch, the loose fibres were melded together to create a bead. The bead was cut in half to reveal the concentric rings of colour, just like being in a candy shop!

This technique was extended by creating strips of multicoloured felt. Long sausages were rolled together, and then cut up into smaller pieces to make more beads. The small turquoise bowl below illustrates this, bottom left image.

We then went on to flat sheets of felt. This gave the opportunity to lay a bit of pattern on the top surface to introduce a bit of individuality. After the first stages of felting, the students were shown how the felt could be molded over a form to create a small bowl.

The morning's work had produced a good workout for the upper body so there was a break for lunch before the technique of using a mask to make a seamless bag was demonstrated. The students could choose their own colour scheme and patterning especially after the wonderful curly, springy Wensleydale fleece was introduced. With a lot of rubbing and rolling, the bags were made. These could be decorated with more beads and handles could be created using the sausage technique.

All in all, I think the students felt (ha ha) they had a good fun day although they all went home exhausted from their labours.