Rave about Arts

Nuno Felting Workshop

With Felt Artist Lynley Campbell

Following up from the successful “Fun with Felting” workshop held last year as part of the Wearable Art project, the Ravensthorpe District Art Group (RDAG) organised another fantastic felting workshop, this time to learn the technique of Nuno Felting. 

Partnering with the Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council (RRAC) as part of their annual artistic programme, the RDAG invited Felt Artist Lynley Campbell from Albany back to Ravensthorpe on the 28th and 29th of May 2016.
Our venue this time, the Ravensthorpe Town Hall. Somewhat chilly, however all participants were warned to wear thermals and beanies! Brenda saved the day with a heater and we all warmed to the tasks at hand.

So what is Nuno Felting? It’s a fabric felting technique where wool or fibre is felted through an open weave type of fabric. Almost any open weave fabric will work for nuno felting.  In this workshop we used silk chiffon which yields a drapey, lightweight fabric.

Of the eleven “students’, some had participated in the last workshop, some had past experience and some were totally new to the concept.  Lynley had inspiring samples of her own work to show what results could be achieved.

Over the two days everyone made a wrap and scarf or two wraps.  The designs and resulting art pieces are truly breathtaking.

So, a quick rundown of the process.  We had some beautiful colours of silk chiffon fabric to choose and then some toning or contrasting wool tops and silk threads.  The tops could be feathered or shaped or rolled and laid onto the silk and the silk threads laid onto the wool.  This was then felted by applying tepid soapy water and massaging the fibres. 

The piece was then rolled, and rolled, and rolled, and rolled, you get the picture. Then unrolled and hey presto what jewels unfolded. Clearly those present also shared a love for our region, with local plant species and landscape colours featuring in the felting.  Seeing all the pieces displayed in the hall at the end of the workshop gave all a great sense of achievement. 

Thanks to Ravensthorpe  District Art Group for organising this event, RRAC for assisting with costs, and Sue Leighton for the photography. Some of the finished art pieces will be on display during Wildflower Show exhibitions from 13th - 24th September.  If others are keen to explore felting please make contact with either the RDAG or RRAC.

Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council receives core funding from Country Arts WA; who receives core funding through the State Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts in association with Lotterywest.