Fantastic Felt and Nuno-felt Hats

Friday, October 9 & Saturday, October 10

9:30am to 4:00pm (both days)

Instructor: Dawn Edwards

$150 WGGC member/$175 non-member

Experience level: All levels. Some standing and physical exertion required.

Participant limit: 12

Chair: Melissa Lusk

During our felt exploration, there will be ample time for experimentation, as well as inspiration, as we create fabulous felt and Nuno-felt hats. We will focus on techniques, patterns, and concepts…using both open and closed resists (and some using multiple resists)…to design our sculptural felt creations. Such a dilemma – so many hats and only one head! Which style will you choose? Fun, whimsical, or classic? The choice is yours.

We will create our hats with Merino wool tops/roving with the option of incorporating lightweight silk fabrics for Nuno-felting. You will love the artisitic possibilities, with functionality as an added bonus. We will create our hats over a template (flat resist), using wet-felting techniques.

The Student Supply list is extensive. Please read through thoroughly and note what you may obtain through the Guild:

• Fine Merino wool top (18.5-21.5 micron). The amount will vary depending on the style you wish to make. You’ll need up to 5 oz./140 grams per hat, plus contrasting colors for embellishing. You may have time to start, or even finish. an additional hat, depending on the style and complexity of the hat you choose, so you may want to have additonal wool on hand. If you need a resource for wool and/or felting supplies, I recommend Living Felt.
• If you wish to Nuno-felt, please bring lightweight silk fabrics such as silk chiffon and/or lightweight beaded silk fabrics, sometimes found at thrift stores. Double check the label to ensure it is silk, as polyester fabrics will not work.
• Other optional embellishing fibers: dyed silk fibers, dyed silk hankies, etc. Living Felt carries a great selection.
• Cool buttons, brooches, feathers, all make great embellishments, so bring them along.
• Roll of thin painters drop cloth, available at dollar stores, among other retailers.
• Laminate flooring underlayment for patterns.*
• 24″ wide bubble wrap (small bubbles), 2 pieces with a minimum size of 24″x48″ each. If unable to find wider widths, narrower sizes can be Duck® taped together on the smooth side.
• 2-3 old bath size towels
• Synthetic netting fabric or polyester lace curtains cut to bath towel size to cover the felt surface to rub or blot through.
• A plasic beach pail or bucket to hold water.
• Bar of olive oil soap or blue Dawn dish soap.
• Laundry sprinkler bottle or Ballbrause water sprinkler. Instructor has several which may be shared.
• Pool noodle* * or plastic PVC pipe. You will need only half the length of the pool noodle, so cut in half for ease of transport or share with another particpant.
• Simple sewing kit with needle, thread, sharp scissors (for felt and plastic), a tape measure, and stainless steel pins.
• Instructor will provide a couple hat blocks to share, though if you are going to be making hats in the future, a simple wooden hat block*** (standard head shape or crown form) in your head size is a great investment. Judith M. Millinery carries a set which includes a hat block, a riser/spinner. and accessories for approximately $130.
• Plastic bag or plastic kitchen wrap to cover the hat block to keep it from moisture.
• Notebook, pen, and a black Sharpie marker.
• Alcohol wipes or small bottle of rubbing alcohol to remove Sharpie marks from pattern.
• A plastic trash bag to carry home wet towels.
• Lunch and beverages both days. A refrigerator and microwave are available.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

*Flooring underlayment will be available from the Workshop Chair with participants reimbursing the Guild.

**Pool noodles will be available for purchase for cost from a WGGC member.

***Some hat blocks have been acquired by the Guild and will be available for purchase for $30.

About the Instructor: Fiber artist Dawn Edwards creates, designs, and handcrafts colorful, wearable felt art. Each unique piece is hand-felted and formed using a variety of methods, some ancient, others using much more modern techniques. She is known for her use of vibrant colors, textures, and sculptural aspects that are functional to playful and appeal to a wide range of tastes. Check out her website.

Effective August 26, 2021

For everyone’s safety, you are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to wear a mask when inside the Guild House.

WGGC Cancellation Policies Regarding Student Fees

• If a teacher or the Guild cancels a workshop – full refund to all registered students. Generally, the teacher or the Guild may cancel the workshop three (3) or more weeks before the start date. This is stipulated in the contract but can be flexible if both parties agree.
• If a registered student wishes to cancel, they must:
  • Contact the Workshop Chair
  • If canceling thirty (30) or more days before workshop start date, student receives a refund of the workshop fee minus a $50 cancellation fee.
  • Cancel twenty-nine (29) or fewer days before the workshop start date:
    • Refund workshop fee minus $50 cancelation fee only if vacant spot is filled by another person (from waitlist or otherwise).
    • No refund if spot remains vacant.
• A registered student may independently find someone to take their place at the workshop with no extra fees involved as long as no cancellation is performed through EventBrite. Workshop Chair MUST be notified. In this situation; the primary registered student is responsible for all fees, passing on information to their replacement, etc.
• Eventbrite and credit card processing fees are not refundable.