Foundations in Felt Garments is now FULL for 2020. The class starts on June 5th, 2020. The online classroom will open on May 29th for introductions and materials discussions. This will be the only time this workshop is offered in 2020. In the first three projects, there will be two weeks available to work on each project. Then there are 3 weeks available to work on your pieces for the last project-the project where you construct any garment you wish! You’ll be ready!
Workshop Fee: $395.00 USD
Making a wearable garment in felt can feel unachievable until you actually succeed in making your first one! This class works with four styles of garments. A new one for you to make every two weeks, with each progressive project developing your garment making skills and building on your successes. We start with a garment made as a flat piece of felt, then move into a simple resist shape, then create a custom made to fit vest, and the last project introduces a range or resist additions you can mix and match to make any style of garment you can imagine.
Dear Fiona,I can’t believe that our wonderful felting time and warm interaction between people from all over the world is coming to an end. I can’t find enough words to thank you, not only for the excellent course, your dedication and extra things you so generously showed us but also for this “family”atmosphere YOU created between us creating relations that will carry on after the class is over.I highly appreciate your imaginative genius! C.Countas
This is a beginner’s level garment making workshop. If you’ve never made a garment, this class is made for you! If you’re an intermediate or advanced feltmaker and done lots of resist work and custom fit patterns, this class is not for you, unless you want to take a class to dedicate some time to creative play in a wonderful online community while making beautiful, simple garments! We each look for different things in a workshop experience!
If you are a beginning feltmaker, work through my Introduction to Flat Feltmaking tutorial to become familiar with the materials and the techniques. You will want to have some feltmaking experience to move on to making these larger felt pieces.
It is heartwarming to be part of an online class where everyone shares a common passion! The spirit of the class is supportive, providing not only the opportunity to learn from our gifted teacher but also from each other. I appreciate so much, all of the beautiful felting that has been shared during our journey here. Thank you, Fiona, Thank you, all! S.Mcleod
Constructed all in one piece, each garment in this collection is a unique and flattering wardrobe staple for all seasons. Perfect for layering, and customized to your own sizing and colour preferences. We will cover aspects of colour work, design, and nuno felting while creating these fabulous pieces of wearable art. You can see a full range of projects made in this workshop by past participants HERE.
Project 1: The Versatile Vest ( June 5-18)
This class starts with a simple, but always flattering vest, made flat, and reversible. It can be worn in a multitude of ways creating different draping and collars to suit every body type. This first project introduces simple measurements to ensure good fit!
Project 2: The Capelet (June 18- July 2)
The capelet is a very elegant but simple layering garment. Perfect for 3 seasons and great on its own or over a sweater or coat. We’ll work with more body measurements to create a capelet sized for you. In this project, we also discuss more directional felting to shape a garment for perfect fit, plus making plackets.
Break Week: (July 3-9) I am away teaching at the Pacific Northwest Art School this week, so you all get a break from class!
Project 3: The Shaped Vest (July 10- July 23)
This custom fitted vest will use all of the skills and techniques we have covered in previous weeks.
You will learn how to use measurements to draft a resist to any size, plus layout and felting for shaping. This vest is fitted to the bust and then flares out for a flattering, comfortable fit. We look at adding ease, working with godets, aline shaping, gathers and pleats
Project 4: Open Garment Design (July 24- August 13)
We build off the basic vest pattern to add different garment lines, add length, add sleeves, pockets and hoods. This is the method I teach in my in person garment construction classes. We’ve developed a great base to work from in our vest project and now can add and mix and match components to create well fitting garments of any design. You can make a dress, tunic, long vest, or jacket, with pockets, hood, with gathers or pleats for extra shaping- the garment you want- made to fit!
Bonus Project: The Cape/Tunic
For this cape we will work with a simple resist, creating a cape that has uniquely placed buttons/snaps to create sleeves, or sides so the cape can be turned to form a loose fitting tunic. This is a comfortable and highly wearable garment.
This class guarantees your success in making felt garments by carefully building up complexity in technique over twelve weeks while creating a beautiful wardrobe of wearable art pieces.
The modules are spaced two weeks apart, so you have lots of time to complete each project, without feeling rushed, but while maintaining continuity in the class.
We don’t cover any surface design techniques in this class- the study is in foundations in garment making. You can choose to employ any aspects of Surface Design of Felting Over the Edge you wish in these garments. They will look stunning.
I have learned an incredible amount because of your problem solving skills as you overcame obstacles. I wish I could have all of you in my back pocket as I try future projects. Your design choices have inspired me to be more creative in my own, I feel encouraged to attempt new designs and to keep learning. Thank you Fiona. Your willingness to share your knowledge, inspire and guide and always be there is truly phenomenal. I have learned so much from each course I take from you. You always go above and beyond and offer so much. I know it will take time to digest the many offerings of this course and apply new skills to projects. I leave this class with many ideas and look forward to another class in the future. C.Weighill
New material will be available every two or three weeks, as noted, with about 10-12 hours of student time suggested to complete each project. You can decide when you work on each project. You can roll up your project at any stage after you have wetted it out, and set it aside if you need more time to complete it. The felt project will be fine stored damp, or dry.
I answer questions and give comments throughout the full nine weeks of the course in the online classroom, allowing all participating students to learn through one another’s projects.
Please do email Fiona if you have any questions about the class.
The full materials list is available HERE. You can expect to spend about $200-$300 on materials to make all four garments from the best possible materials. This may seem like a lot, but you’ll have four stunning garments, the kind you can feel beautiful in everyday, by the end of the class!
I will carry this experience in my heart for a very long time and continue to garner encouragement, strength and inspiration from the stories you have shared and the beautiful work you have done. And Fiona, your generous, kind, wise support is what has really allowed this group to come into full fruit! I can’t thank you enough for the richness you have brought to this experience. From you I have learned about bringing gentle patience to my process, about persistence in the face of challenge, both of which have brought new levels of richness to my felting. G. Kerr
Workshop Dates:
Foundations in Felt Garments is now FULL for 2020. The next workshop begins on June 5, 2020. The online classroom will open on May 29th for introductions and materials discussions.
I will be available in the online classroom, to answer questions and offer feedback on work, throughout the 9 weeks of the workshop.
Online teaching materials and resources are available to students for 6 months from the beginning of the class.
Workshop Fee: $395.00 USD
If you have any questions about how these online classes work, try reading through the FAQ’s here.
You can see a full range of projects made in this workshop by past participants HERE.