Tutor: Sarah Waters

Date: Thursday 29 – Friday 30 May 2025

Time: 10.00 – 16.00 (please bring lunch both days)

Location: Messums Studios, Chilmark

Course Fee: £300 (includes materials)

In an intensive two-day workshop, the students will learn about variety of techniques that can be used within the art of seamless 3D wet felting. Focusing on the structure of the different fibres, shrinkage and colour blending they will be using resists, cutting and layering techniques to produce samples and a 3D-finished felt vessel. The workshop will be suitable for all levels – from beginner to the more advanced felt makers.

Day 1 – Technical exercises incorporating concepts of 2D surface design through sampling of various wet felting techniques. Students will be able to discuss and handle the many samples and try out some of the different techniques throughout the day

Day 2 – Drawing on some of the previous day’s skills and samples Sarah will guide the students through the process of starting to create their own 3D felt art piece. A key part will be to focus on design, colour, texture and mixing of the fibres; Students will continue to work independently, with support from Sarah, throughout the day. Those who have previous experience will have the opportunity to push their knowledge to a much deeper level. There will be plenty of time for experimenting, developing skills at each student’s individual pace. At the end of the workshop students will come together to discuss each other’s finished work and learn how to develop any future ideas.

Sarah Waters is an artist with a passion for feltmaking that originates from her love of sheep. Living in the New Forest, UK  her work reflects her desire to connect with nature and the importance of sustainability. Sarah uses local fleeces where possible and is passionate about supporting the British Wool Industry.  Wool has been a very under valued resource over the past few years and Sarah wants to show the potential that it now has for the future, in our throw away society. Sarah now has over twenty years of experience in teaching feltmaking from school children, adults with learning difficulties to community projects. She currently runs her own business teaching, exhibiting in the UK and internationally and selling her work though galleries and online.