Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I digress....

Apologies to those awaiting the completion of the bag pattern I started earlier this year.... or for the 200mm version of the Poppet. Samples have been lurking around the studio - teasing visitors and workshop participants.... but alas, no instructions have been forthcoming.

I'm afraid I don't have a team of elves who can write about the finer points of bag and hat-making. Shame about that.... I could use them at times like this.

I've been obsessed with an idea - a kind of diversion. I need to get it out of my head before I can go back - refreshed - to finish the tedious end of developing bag patterns. I love a good puzzle (I think that's why I love patternmaking) and a challenge is necessary from time to time.

There's lots of tapping back into old skills, and learning new and geeky things I can do with patternmaking software. Developing a design and my skills base is like a good dose of Berocca at this end of a long, tiring year.

...And so...

I was inspired to venture further, and stop just saying "I've always wanted to learn felting". A gift voucher for Amazon was spent on this book, and plans are being made for a messy Christmas holidays... (we're talking the fibre, soap and water variety here, not the too-many-champagne-cocktails kind of messy).

I know NOTHING about felting and would love to hear of any good leads on supplies and resources. What am I looking for and where...?

...And I'll see you next year with that bag pattern... graded in CAD to seventeen different sizes with instructions full of cute little CAD-drawn diagrams and samples covered in felt embellishments.... and perhaps even a champagne cocktail recipe.

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19 comments:

  1. Gillian RNovember 17, 2009 at 10:20 PM

    Oooh, oooh, pick me, pick me!
    I lurve felting... I have a range of places you can source the materials from... I'll email you the list asap.

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  2. TaniaNovember 17, 2009 at 11:49 PM

    All I'm saying is that you HAVE to make a load of mess. That's the rule.

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  3. soozNovember 18, 2009 at 7:09 AM

    I love felting too Nikki - a whole lot of fun :-) I get my supplies from Winterwood in Park Orchards (also internet and phone order but everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime), where Sandra and Deanne have the best stuff and so so so much knowledge they willingly share.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 18, 2009 at 8:28 AM

    Great choice of felting book - I've been to one of Gillian's workshops and learnt SOOOO much, and had SUCH a lovely time. I found felting to be very therapeutic and not that messy at all.
    Would just like to say too how much I enjoy your blog. I'm Australian, living in the UK for now, and glimpses of home are always so very lovely...

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  5. biancaNovember 18, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    Craft expo's - esp the textile and Fibre art expo is the best for your felting supplies! I stock up every year :) Highland cottage crafts (I think that is what it is called) on ebay is great too! she has the most beautiful coloured wool and silk tops (roving) I must say I am not a fan of the clover branded prepackaged roving, on its own its ok, but it does not seem to 'play nicely with others' Have fun!

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  6. Vintage GrrlNovember 18, 2009 at 8:48 AM

    Http://www.virginiafarmwoolworks.com.au have a great range of felting stuff! They even run workshops, so have all the gear :D

    I love felting/fulling. It's loads of fun.

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  7. Melanie Gray AugustinNovember 18, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    I can't give any advice but have also wanted to try felting for years now. I recently picked up some supplies at a craft show and watched a demo, but haven't played with it yet.... :)

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  8. MaryNovember 18, 2009 at 10:21 AM

    Somewhere to visit on your side of town is the Spinners and Weavers Guild in North Carlton. http://home.vicnet.net.au/~handspin/index.htm They have a supplies shop that is open most days and is chock full of fibrey goodness. They also run the occassional felting workshop so there is often someone around who would be able ot give you a few tips.

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  9. Pink DobermanNovember 18, 2009 at 3:05 PM

    Hi,
    I love following your blog! I am wanting to learn to felt as well. I've been following this other blog, she just did a series of posts about felting. I think you will really enjoy the posts.
    www.trueup.net/

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  10. PinktulipNovember 18, 2009 at 5:48 PM

    I have looked at this book before and I think this is called "wet felting", something I have only tried once long ago. There are some fabulous bags on Flickr made from wet felting and it sounds like fun. I am more keen on fulling, although I call it felting as well. I look forward to see your first project!

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  11. Cathy {tinniegirl}November 18, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    I'm really keen to try felting too. Perhaps I'll have to plan another studio visit over the Christmas holidays!

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  12. AnonymousNovember 18, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    Nikki
    Try yarnbarn - Reynard St Coburg. I have bought some lovely wool tops there.

    http://yarnbarncomau.melbourneitwebsites.com/page/contact_us.html

    Lyn

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousNovember 18, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    Hehe. I couldn't care if I never saw another wool top in my life Nikki!

    I'm not made for felting, my lil ol' hands coundn't take it. Oh the dermatitis!

    Will bring something to show you tomorrow night.

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  14. CathNovember 18, 2009 at 9:54 PM

    Felting looked waay too dangerous to me - at least that ball type felting using that big needle - no way I wouldn't be stabbing myself every five seconds. Embroidery is a danger sport - love the andrenelin adn suspense - you never know when your finger will start bleeding..... Hope you recovered from big fat Macedonian function - good luck with the feltoff xx

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  15. handmaidenNovember 18, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    Nikki, have just got into felting through making jewellery and keen to try nuno felting. Try out Beautiful Silks off Brunswick st...they have a great website. Looking forward to what u make

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  16. DianneNovember 19, 2009 at 4:54 PM

    I see someone else has suggested The Yarn Barn - it is 5 minutes walk from my house, and like walking into a lolly shop full of wool in every colour of the rainbow! They don't do classes, but have a notice board of places that do. The Pascoe Vale Spinners and Weavers guild put on amazing annual showing every year (September I think) - watch for the notice in the Moreland Leader next year.

    PS love the super non-stick magic ironing sheet I bought the other week Nikki, it is brilliant!

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  17. NikkiNovember 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM

    Thanks SO MUCH for all of these resources! I'm sure they'll be useful to lots of people.

    Many of you I've tried to respond to but you have no email address attached to your name.

    Anyway - thanks very much! I'm looking forward to felting.....

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousNovember 21, 2009 at 10:54 PM

    The guild as mentioned abouve have a craft shop as well as a library and knowledgable members who could give you advice. Sometimes they also run workshops. Books wise I have Unique Felt.

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  19. BellgirlFebruary 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM

    Hi Nikki, I bought my felting supplies from a shop in the grampians- these folks are travelling the country and taking up short leases in interesting places, and they also run an online shop: http://garmentsandgadgets.com.au/

    ReplyDelete

I LOVE to read your comments and they brighten my day. I can't respond unless your profile has an email address attached, though... And some days I simply don't have time to respond.... but I respond in a telepathic sort of way to each and every comment.
xxx Nikki