This list gives you a good indication of what you will need for this class, in particular the base materials. There is flexibility in the list- some items can be substituted, and the more you experiment, the more opportunity we have for discussion during the class.
Please email me if you have any questions about any of the items, for sources and possible substitutions.
Fibres and materials:
4-6 ounces/114-228grams total coarse fiber wool in natural white for each light you plan to make.
You will also want between 2-4 ounces (56-114 grams) of wool fibres for your samples. Interesting materials to experiment with in Module 1 are different wool breeds- short staple length and long, natural wool locks, white silk fabrics (small amounts), inclusion materials….
The amount of wool you need will depend on the size of lampshade you make. As an idea, an 8 inch (20cm) diameter lampshade that is 12 inches (30cm) tall, will use about 4 ounces (114g) of base wool. A 12 inch (30cm) diameter by 10inch (30cm) tall light will also use about 4 ounces (114g) of base wool.
You’ll want a couple of extra ounces in the natural white wool on hand for design elements. Colour can add interesting shadowplay when illuminated as well as being striking in daylight hours…small amounts of coloured wools (can be merino or any breed of wool) can be integrated into your design. Pencil rovings, prefelt, white and coloured threads, and wool locks are wonderful surface additions used in felt lighting.
Wool breeds that are good for felt lighting:
Corriedale, Finnish, Norwegian. I have also used Blue faced Leicester and BFL/Gotland cross and been very happy with the results. I prefer a more coarse wool that will hold the shape of the lampshade without extra wire structures, but you can also use more fine wools, like merino for creating lighting. We’ll discuss shaping options like stiffeners in the class.
Sources:
Paradise Fibers (US): Corriedale, Gotland
Legacy Studio: (Canada): Corriedale
World of Wool (UK) : Corriedale, Finn, BFL
Piiku (Finland) : Finn (carded fleece batts)
FeltFine (Australia): Finn, Gotland, Corriedale
Ashford (NZ-widely distributed): Corriedale
Tools and Hardware
general felting tools:
Bubble Wrap: 2 pieces each approximately 36 inches (90cm) x 36 inches (90cm)
36 inch (90cm) square of foam underlay (bubble wrap or firm plastic sheeting can be substituted. I’ll share some tips on resist materials in the class). This will give you enough resist material to create your own unique lamp size and shape.
natural dishsoap
sewing thread and sharp needle
lampshade hardware:
This is the most challenging aspect in lighting design, mainly in that every country has different electrical and lighting systems.
Here are some basic lampshade hardware suggestions. We will discuss more options once the online classroom opens. If you are uncertain about the style of lampshade you would like to make (table lamp, diameter size floor lamp, or pendant), you may want to wait until the class starts and discuss ideas in the online classroom, and then purchase your lighting hardware.
I make most of my lights in a drum style using either an 8 inch (20cm) or occasionally diameter sizetop ring. Using a bottom ring on your felt lampshade is optional. I don’t usually use a bottom ring, prefering to let the structural quality of the felt hold the shaping.
Some of the hanging lights in Module 3 of this class require no wire rings as support, just the screw in pendant lamp cords listed below.
You can also make your lampshade to slide over an existing lampshade. This might be an alternative that is just right for you!
USA:
Most lighting in the US is based on the harp system. Lampshade rings that have a washer top fit on lamps that use this system.
This lampshade ring can be turned into a pendant lamp using this adaptor:
Clip Top Rings are also available from Lampshop.com and Replacementlampshades.com, for smaller lampshades that clip over the top of a bulb.
Pendant lamps can also be constructing using European fitter ring available from:
Along with a pendant lamp cord from ReplacementLampshades.com, or Colorcord.com, or the Hemma or Sekond pendant cord from Ikea.
Europe:
Circular lamp shade rings can be used on most UK and European lamps, including pendant lamps corrds.
Australia:
Most lamps in Aurstralia use hardware that have a 29mm inner fitting ring.
Extra materials for surface design are not included on this list. There are so many possibilities and ideas you might want to explore to personalize your felt lighting.
We can discuss these options and what you might need to create your design in the online classroom, once the class starts. You have two months to work on these class materials, so lots of time to get the hardware that is just right for you. There will be lots of inspiration in seeing what other students are doing; shapes, sizes and design elements they include in their lights, which will help you with your own choices! Or just give you more ideas for more lighting!