I’ve discovered an unexpected benefit of running local workshops……I’m discovering villages in Lincolnshire that I didn’t know existed! Today I was at Withern Village Hall, deep in the Lincolnshire Wolds for the first time ever, with seven ladies from the local textile and art groups.
The workshop was to be an introduction to Felting so we began by laying out our Merino fibres and fancy yarns and then wet felting our backgrounds.
After lunch we did some needle felting, adding detail to the work, and then the ladies chose to either machine or hand embroider to further embellish their pictures. I love the tiny bees on Kay’s picture!
There is still a little work left to do before all of the pieces are finished but I’m sure you will agree they are all looking great! Thanks for inviting me to Withern, and for being such an enthusiastic group! It was a very enjoyable day and I hope to see some of you again soon.
Lincs In Stitches 
Absolutely loved all the felt flower pictures Do you do kits as now in lock down again would love to learn ?
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So glad you like them Maureen, the ladies produced some lovely work that day. Regarding kits, the only ones I currently have are for needle felted “mushroom” pincushions. I’ve had every intention of putting together other starter kits but not got around to it so, with time on my hands, I’m going to use your enquiry as the nudge I’ve been needing!! If you would like to get in touch again via the contact form, being a beginner, maybe you would like to trial a kit for me?
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Just seen your workshop results on Pinterest – very interesting. Will have to give something like that a go.
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Do give it a go Lorraine, you will love it!
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hope you don’t mind me contacting you, you mention that you may be able to put Kathy in touch with a local group wonder if you know of any groups near me in Wales, postcode CF39. very much like the work the ladies did.
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Hi Julia. Do you know the Model House in Llantrisant? It’s a shop and cafe with studio space above. I think it’s in your area and, if it is, I’m sure you will find lots of info there about creative groups and workshops. The resident Feltmaker is Mandy Nash and she may well be able to help you. Her website is https://mandynash.co.uk/about-mandy-nash/
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I also live in West Wales near Milford Haven SA731qq I would so much like to do this, do you know of a class near me!
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Hi Christine, I’m sure there must be other classes but the only place I know of in Wales is the Model House at Llantrisant. If you belong to a group of any kind I would be more than happy to come over and run a workshop in your area if there is enough interest. If this sounds feasible you can use the contact form and we could discuss this further.
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WOW! Those are talented ladies! Wish I lived close by to take advantage of the wool, instruction, and fellowship.
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If you are in the UK and want to know what groups are in your area Kathy I may be able to put you in touch with someone local. Just use the contact form on here to drop me a line if your interested.
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I cannot see contact form sorry. Can you help re Cornwall i am Pl26 mid Cornwall but vould travel or do residential. I have done a little bit using a book. Thks
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Hi Elaine. If you go the the tab at the top of the website which says Contact me you should find the contact form there. Unfortunately I don’t know the Cornwall area at all and I don’t have any contacts down there. I am doing a residential workshop, two in fact, in France if that appeals to you. Either of these workshops are suitable for beginners and you can find more details at https://www.sweetnothings.eu/2019courses/
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Thanks ! I just begin to learn felting in France, it is beautiful !!!! It gives me ideas for future work. Thanks again.
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That’s great to hear, have fun with your Felting!
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I re-read it to check it was just Merino you all used. So strange that every piece has taken on this pattern, perhaps if it was just one or two, a harder pressure ‘may’ be the answer. I felt quite paranoid laying out a new picture this morning ha ha ! but all was normal.
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Pressure does seem like the most obvious reason but I can’t say I saw anyone using undue pressure.
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I noticed that beehive pattern too. I never put a towel underneath my bubble wrap, it goes straight onto the table, strange.
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Well now I’m back to being baffled Tracey…..If it isn’t the lack of cushioning what could it be? It’s never happened in any of my work but I have seen it on the odd occasion in other people’s.
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Nice that you’re finding new places to teach. Looks like everyone had a wonderful time. Are you using some type of background to felt on? All of the backgrounds look like they have almost a beehive texture?
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In order to speed up the Felting process the ladies used a Merino needled prefelt as their base layer. I have used this previously and so I know it wasn’t that which gave the textured background. I suspect it was the fact that the bubble wrap was laid directly onto the table without a towel to cushion it……I have a friend who say they always get an impression of the bubbles when they felt and I’ve never been able to work out why….until now.
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That looks a great workshop Karen. The ladies look very happy with the results, pride of place on their walls hopefully!
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I do hope so Tracey…..they are all too beautiful to be out in a drawer and forgotten!
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What a lovely village hall for a workshop. The ladies look deservedly pleased with their pictures – we think they’re terrific!
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Yes, it is a lovely hall, lots of natural light and small enough to have that cosy feel. The ladies were a very creative bunch and produced some beautiful work!
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