IFA Region 5 Meeting

Late last year I joined the International Feltmakers Association (IFA).  Each region in the UK runs workshops, either formal where there is a tutor or informal where the members get together to share ideas.  I went to my first ever meeting earlier this month.  It was an informal workshop to make things for the Living Crafts show at Hatfield House in May.  The theme was Spring - Bursting with colour.   Region 5 Coordinators Hilary and Julie welcomed me and explained the set up.  It was really great to meet the other members and watch them create some amazing pieces.  I can't wait to see the finished results.  Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, and happy to help the novice! (Like having lots of tutors!)  I've been putting a lot of the tips into practice since, hopefully you will start to see the difference!


Here are some of the things I have been making, most are works in progress....

Snowdrop picture, cut pre-felt pieces wet felted into the blue base.  I still need to add some green detail to the flowers and bud.

Hilary showed us how to make flowers on a silk square base (my first experience of nuno felt!)  I think I may add some beads in the centre....

I think one of the suggestions was to pin these around the stand at Living Crafts

Laying out the bluebell picture before wetting down.  I mixed the wool colours using carders I got for Christmas, thank you to Hilary for showing me how to actually use them!

The finished picture (bit of a wonky shape but I'm pleased with the colours)

Big poppy, drying over a bowl to keep the domed shape.  This is the inside.

The outside of the poppy.  I have now stitched a red wool covered wire around the edge and I'm trying to decide what stiffener to try on the middle.  I think the plan is to hang them.  To see what it should look like see Carol Huber Cypher's book 'How we felt'.  This colour combo is taken straight out of there.  I'm really pleased with the result though so I'm going to have a go at some different colours next.