Felting Workshop Recap: Making Ruana Shawls in the HeartFelt Silks Studio

As many of you know, the HeartFelt Silks studio hosts a wide range of one-on-one and small group feltmaking and dyeing workshops throughout the year. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at a recent Ruana Shawl wet felting workshop. Not only were gorgeous shawls made by all of the participants but a fabulous time was had by all!

To find out about upcoming workshops with Robbin Firth, visit our website, or get in touch with us directly to inquire about private and group classes. We also invite you to join our mailing list to receive updates about future events.

Ruana Shawl designed and made by Robbin Firth - Hand-dyed silk, we felted.

Ruana Shawl designed and made by Robbin Firth - Hand-dyed silk, wet felted.

The Ruana Shawl workshop is one of the longest classes I offer -- the latest class took place over a 3-day weekend in February.  Several lovely ladies gathered in the cozy HeartFelt Silks studio, and we were off to step #1 -- the layout.

My hand-dyed silk fabrics formed the base for the Ruana Shawls.

Hand-dyed silk by artist Robbin Firth

 Each of the students gets to select a color palette for their Ruana Shawl in consultation with me.

Ruana Shawl feltmaking workshop with artist Robbin Firth

Ruana Shawl Feltmaking Workshop with artist Robbin Firth

 The layout for this large-scale garment is time-consuming and labor-intensive but the results will be very rewarding!

Now we are ready to create a unique design with more hand-dyed silks (from HeartFelt Silks) and other color-coordinated luxurious embellishing fibers.

Feltmaking Workshop - Ruana Shawl - in the HeartfeltSilks Studio

Feltmaking Workshop - Ruana Shawl - in the HeartfeltSilks Studio

 No two shawls will be alike -- each student gets to put her own creative touches on their Ruana Shawl, as we talk about color, drape, and texture.

Feltmaking Workshop - Ruana Shawl - in the HeartfeltSilks Studio

Once in a while, we stop to admire our progress, take a break, and catch a little afternoon sun.

Feltmaking Workshop - Ruana Shawl - in the HeartfeltSilks Studio

Feltmaking Workshop - Ruana Shawl - in the HeartfeltSilks Studio

We take our time and make our layout as intricate and beautiful as we like. Before long, we'll roll up our sleeves and move on to felting these beauties!

Feltmaking Workshop - Ruana Shawl - with instructor Robbin Firth

When it's time to add hot water and soap, our trusty Palm Washboard felting tools come out!

Wet Felting with Palm Washboard felting tools during a Ruana Shawl workshop

The Palm Washboards speed up the felting process and make it easier on our bodies.

Ruana Shawl Felting Workshop -- using Palm Washboard Felting tools

Here we are, not far from the finish line, working on our edges, making sure things are even, uniform, and gorgeous.

Feltmaking Workshop - Ruana Shawl - in the HeartfeltSilks Studio

Ta-da! All four Ruana Shawls are finished, and it's time for a modeling session! A great weekend was had by all, each of these ladies completed a stunning wool & silk garment, strengthening their feltmaking and design skills in the process! Thank you, Linda, Nancy, Silvana, and Susan, for joining me!

Finished Ruana Shawls in feltmaking workshop with instructor Robbin Firth

To find out about upcoming workshops in wet felting, nuno-felting, and textile dyeing, with Robbin Firth, visit our website, or get in touch with us directly to inquire about private and group classes. Palm Washboard felting tools (original, patent-pending designs handcrafted by Harry Firth for HeartFelt Silks) are available HERE.

Join the Robbin Firth / HeartFelt Silks MAILING LIST.

Photo Report from the HeartFelt Silks UK and Ireland Workshop Tour

As many of you know, HeartFelt Silks made a very special appearance in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Here are a few photos from the many feltmaking workshops Robbin taught, with assistance from the lovely Kirsten, while abroad. Lots of woolly entertainment was had by all, with busy classes in beautiful locations, and many happy students learning new felting skills. We shared many more details on our Facebook page, follow us there for more on these and future adventures. We are grateful to the International Feltmakers Association for hosting our UK workshops.

This fall, after a week of workshops in Florida, Robbin, Harry, and Kirsten are staying close to home, with a busy season of workshops at our home studio in Hudson, WI, guest-teaching at The Textile Center, and, of course, busy times of making and shipping our Palm Washboard feltmaking tools, and other felting supplies all over the world. We are now working on our 2016 schedule, so if you would like to have Robbin Firth teach in your part of the world or have a suggestion for where Robbin might like to teach, get in touch!

Now, on with the show! The HeartFelt Silks in the UK & Ireland photo show!

Gorgeous Felted Ruffle Wraps on a beautiful summer afternoon. Love the color palettes chosen by each workshop participant -- so different and unique.

The hat feltmaking workshops were a crowd favorite! It was truly great to welcome felters of all ages and levels experience to the classes.

There were lots of technique demos, hands-on practice, and note taking. We worked with resists, perfected 3D shaping, and so much more.

Ruffle wraps taking shape on the felting tables. Each class is a rich experience in group, collaborative learning, with each student receiving individual attention and help from Robbin as well.

Busy hands, lots of colors, beautiful wool, hand-dyed silks -- taking time with your project layout is a very important step in the process. Being patient at this stage in the felting process pays off later. The Palm Washboards are at the ready to take you through to the next step.

Here, a beautiful merino wool & silk hat is taking shape, literally, in Robbin's hands.

It was great to have large, roomy spaces to work in. The best part was having so many friendly, fun, and creative students!

In Robbin's workshop in Ireland, hosted by Anita Marnell, working on a seamless cowl design.

And, after all that hard work, comes the modeling! Love seeing results and love seeing happy students with their new felted garments and accessories.

We couldn't have asked for better weather for our Ireland workshop! Just beautiful!

Our Palm Washboards got a lot of use at the workshops! It is very rewarding to introduce new feltmakers to these marvelous felting tools we developed and continue to hand-make, one at a time, in our Minnesota woodworking studio.

While in the UK, we got to visit with Angela Barrow and her family (Simon and Charlotte) at Woolfest. The Barrows run Adelaide Walker store, our exclusive Palm Washboard distributor in the UK.

Woolfest was amazing! Wool and beautiful sheep everywhere, what could be better!

It was back to work as soon as we got back to the US -- here is a new wool locks wrap in progress on the table, using gorgeous wool acquired at Woolfest!

Follow Robbin Firth and HeartFelt Silks on Facebook for daily updates from our studio, special announcements, and felting tips! See you soon!

GET YOUR LOCKS ON Felting Workshop with Robbin Firth

This autumn, we are pleased to present a special 3-day Workshop at the HeartFelt Silks Studio. Join Robbin for three days of feltmaking as your study and perfect the art of felting with wool locks. This class is limited to only 6 students, and each participant will receive individualized attention from Robbin, and enjoy learning in a small group setting.

“Get your Locks on” Workshop!
3 Full days of working with wool locks and the Palm Washboards
October 22-24, 2015
Location: 401 Second Street, Hudson, WI 54016  at SEASONS on St. Croix Gallery
phone: 651-263-7275        email: robbin@heartfeltsilks.com        www.HeartFeltSilks.com 

Daily Schedule: 10am-­5pm, with a lunch break.                
Cost per person: $325.00 (if paying by check) or $332.00 (if paying via PayPal)
Prior felting experience is necessary for this workshop.
Note: All registrations are done via phone or email and must be prepaid.

Part I: Felted Wool Locks Shawl and Scarf Workshop (October 22nd & 23rd)

Surround yourself with sumptuous merino wool and Wensleydale or Teeswater sheep wool locks. In this workshop you will create a one-of-a-kind, luxuriously beautiful shawl that combines merino and cleaned wool locks, using the Palm Washboard felting technique. This technique is easy on the body and eliminates strenuous rolling from the felting process. You will learn to use resists and how to layer the locks for a free flowing and elegant look. The first day will consist of a detailed introduction to working with locks, as well as doing most of the shawl layout. On the second day, you will finish the layout and complete the felting stages using Palm Washboards (available from Robbin). At the end of the workshop, you will have a glamorous and unique shawl to take home and enjoy all fall and winter seasons.

Part II: Felted Raw Locks Scarf Workshop (October 24th)

A superfine merino wool will start as your luxurious base fiber; then layer in raw Blue Faced Leicester, Wensledaye or Teeswater sheep locks onto the merino base. Just a small amount of rolling and use of the Deep Palm Washboard, and your wet felting adventure will produce a scarf with a soft texture, but a curly and chunky appearance. Please note: raw locks do have a slight odor.  

Detailed materials/supplies list will be distributed to all registered students.

    

phone: 651-263-7275 email: robbin@heartfeltsilks.com www.HeartFeltSilks.com

Fall 2015 Felting Classes with Robbin Firth of HeartFelt Silks

It's time for a new season of feltmaking workshops at the HeartFelt Silks studio! This fall, you will have an opportunity to make elegant felted hats and cowl scarves, experiment with the unique Upwolfing felting technique, and try your hand at making a felted boa with merino wool and beautiful wool locks. Ready to felt? Get the details below. Classes fill quickly, please remember to register early.

 All registrations are done via phone or email and must be prepaid.

Follow us on Facebook to see photos from previous classes!

Take a felting class with fiber artist Robbin Firth at HeartFelt Silks® Studio   

Let your creativity flourish and create unique fashion accessories and home decor objects!
Location: 401 Second Street, Hudson, WI 54016  at SEASONS on St. Croix Gallery

  phone: 651-263-7275        email: robbin@heartfeltsilks.com        www.HeartFeltSilks.com 

Felted Cowl

Create an original merino cowl with silk fiber embellishments as your design elements. Then we will use felting techniques with the unique Palm Washboard felting tool and very little rolling to create a lovely seamless cowl. Palm Washboards will be provided for your use. Please bring a few large towels. Some felting experience required.  

Material & Class Fee: $70.00

Tuesday, October 6th 1pm-5pm

Intro to UPWOLFING

Discover the creative and unusual UPWOLFING felting technique! Learn the basics of UPWOLFING invented in Europe by Irene Van Der Wolf. In this class we will experiment with a small UPWOLFING mat and Merino Wool Prefelt. You will create patterns and designs that you can later use in other felting projects. This class will go over advanced UPWOLFING techniques and products. Please bring a few large towels. No felting experience necessary.

Material & Class Fee: $55.00      

Sunday, November 8th 1pm-4:30pm  

                          

Felted Hat with Silk Hankies Using Resists

Learn the technique of wet felting using wool roving, silk hankies & resists. We will be creating a one-of-a-kind hat. You will be able to recreate this project on your own again and again. Looking for a fun project to do with friends or family? This stylish and easy-to-make hat is made using the Palm Washboard felting technique and requires very minimal rolling. Palm Washboards will be available for use. Please bring a few large towels. Some felting experience required.

Material & Class Fee: $70.00                                   

Saturday, November 28th 1pm-5pm

Felted Boa

A superfine merino wool will start as your luxurious base fiber; then layer in a raw variety of sheep locks onto the merino wool base. There will be no rolling, only use of the new Deep Palm Washboard felting tool. This wet felting adventure will produce a scarf with a soft texture, but a curly and chunky appearance. Please note: raw locks do have a slight odor. Please bring a few large towels. The new Deep Palm Washboard will be available for use. Some felting experience required.

Material & Class Fee: $70.00                                 

Saturday, December 19th 1pm-5pm

Other felting classes can be arranged by appointment. Private and group instruction available. Contact Robbin at 651-263-7275 for details. If you cancel 2 or more weeks prior to class date, there will be a 10% cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 2 weeks from class date, there will be a 50% cancellation fee. If you cancel the day before or day of class, there will be no refunds. A full refund will be made if a class is canceled by the instructor.
   

All registrations are done via phone or email and must be prepaid.

                            651-263-7275        email: robbin@heartfeltsilks.com

Shop for unique felting tools, supplies, and kits: www.heartfeltsilks.com

HeartFelt Silks comes to the UK and Ireland Summer 2015!

Yes, it's true, HeartFelt Silks will be hopping across the pond and visiting beautiful United Kingdom and Ireland this summer!

Robbin will be teaching several feltmaking workshops throughout the UK, and a one-day intensive in Ireland. Kirsten will be coming along to help and see the sights. Harry and all our furry studio assistants are staying home in Minnesota to mind the shop.

We are all very excited for this adventure, and to have the opportunity to meet fans in England, and to make new friends! There will be lots of felting, lots of laughing, and lots of ooh-ing and aah-ing over wool and silk! A visit to a big sheep & wool festival is on the itinerary (baaaah!).

Thanks to a very special invitation from Iris Brunton and the International Feltmakers Assocation, a month-long teaching tour around the UK has been planned, and registrations for workshops are in full swing. By popular demand, Robbin will be teaching beginner and advanced classes on several crowd-favorites, including the Felted Locks Shawl and the Ruana Shawl workshops.

Feltmaking in the UK and Ireland with 

Felt Artist Robbin Firth

Summer 2015

Please contact Iris Brunton directly to make all inquiries and to register for UK classes.

Please contact Anita Marnell directly to make all inquiries and to register for the Ireland class.

Felt Artist Robbin Firth -- 2015 Workshops in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Schedule / Itinerary (subject to change)

United Kingdom

(Please contact Iris Brunton -- irisbrunton@hotmail.com/tel 07717295792) for details of all UK workshops, class descriptions, and to book a class.)

June 6, 2015 : 1 day workshop in Kendal

June 10 - June 12, 2015: 3 day workshop in Knayton 

June 15 - June 16, 2015 : 2 day workshop in Ipswich

June 18 - June 19, 2015: 2 day workshop at Skeeby Old Mill Centre (near Richmond)

June 21, 2015: 1 day workshop at Terrington

June 24, 2015: 1 day workshop in Knayton

July 1 - July 2, 2015: 2 day workshop in Hereford

Special appearances / visits

June 13, 2015: IFA Region10 Meeting

June 26 - June 27, 2015: Woolfest!

Ireland

July 5, 2015: 1 day workshop in Kilkenny, Ireland (Contact Anita Marnell for details and to book a class. Anita's studio is at Ballybur, Cuffes Grange, L5134, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. Tel. 0866004489)

Did you know that we have a United Kingdom distributor for select HeartFelt Silks products, including the PALM WASHBOARDS? Adelaide Walker store is our exclusive UK distributor. Its owner and our friend Angela Barrow will be joining us for a couple of workshops in the UK -- we are very excited!

See you in England and Ireland in a few weeks, friends!

Winter and Spring 2015 Felting Classes with HeartFelt Silks

It's a new year and a new season of felting classes at the HeartFelt Silks Studio at SEASONS on St. Croix Gallery! Find the list of Winter and Spring 2015 classes below. Other felting classes (including private and group instruction) can be arranged by appointment.

All registrations are done via phone or email and must be prepaid. 

Follow us on Facebook to see photos from previous classes!

Take a felting class with fiber artist Robbin Firth at HeartFelt Silks® Studio  

Let your creativity flourish and create unique fashion accessories and home decor objects! 

Location: 401 Second Street, Hudson, WI 54016  at SEASONS on St. Croix Gallery

  phone: 651-263-7275        email: robbin@heartfeltsilks.com        www.HeartFeltSilks.com 

Felted Vessels with Resist

Create a one-of-a-kind vessel with 3D effects and learn the technique of wet felting using wool roving, UPWOLFING cutouts. These unique vessels make bold decorative and functional objects of home decor.  Robbin will teach you a faster way to felt using the Palm Washboards and the new Wedge Palm Washboards felting tools. Felting experience required. 2 day workshop.

Material & class fee: 
$160.00                     
Saturday & Sunday, January 17th-18th 12pm-5:30pm




Felted Cross Hatch Scarf

Create your own lattice-style scarf or wrap. This technique makes a beautiful scarf that looks complicated, but is easy to learn. Use merino wool roving of various colors, silk embellishing threads, and your own scrap yarn bits to create the design, and then wet felt with Robbin’s Palm Washboard felting tool, and her innovative non-rolling technique. Felting experience required.


Material & class fee: 
$65.00       

Saturday, February 7th 1pm-4pm  




Felted Raw Locks Scarf

A superfine merino wool will start as your luxurious base fiber; then, layer in raw Blue Faced Leicester sheep locks onto the merino base. Just a small amount of rolling and use of a custom designed felting tool, and your wet felting adventure will produce a scarf with a soft texture, but a curly and chunky appearance. Please note: raw locks do have a slight odor. Felting experience required.

Material & class fee: 
$70.00
                                                         
 Saturday, February 28th 1pm-4:30pm





Intro to UPWOLFING

Discover the creative and unusual UPWOLFING felting technique! Learn the basics of UPWOLFING invented in Eruope by Irene Van Der Wolf. In this class we will experiment with a small UPWOLFING mat and Merino Wool Prefelt. You will create patterns and designs that you can later use in other felting projects. This class will go over advanced UPWOLFING techniques and products. 

Material & class fee: 
$65.00 

Friday, April 10th 6pm-9pm
                                                                
Saturday, April 18th 1pm-4pm



Felted Flowers and Vines
Create beautiful and delicate flowers with stems to make belts and necklaces. This class will take you through the basics of making the flowers with the Palm Washboard felting tools. Robbin will show you an easy technique to create the stems and then a way to connect them to the flowers for fashionable accessories. Felting experience is required.

Material and class fee: 
$65.00

Saturday, May 2nd 1pm-4:30pm

Friday, May 29th 5:30pm-9pm

Please bring a couple of towels to the class/es you attend.

All registrations are done via phone or email and must be prepaid. Other felting classes can be arranged by appointment. Private and group instruction available. Contact Robbin at 651-263-7275 for details. If you cancel 2 or more weeks prior to class date, there will be a 10% cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 2 weeks from class date, there will be a 50% cancellation fee. If you cancel the day before or day of class, there will be no refunds. A full refund will be made if a class is canceled by the instructor.
   

All registrations are done via phone or email and must be prepaid.

                            651-263-7275        email: robbin@heartfeltsilks.com


Shop for unique felting tools, supplies, and kits: www.heartfeltsilks.com

Top 10 Reasons to Come to Hudson, WI for FABULOUS FIBRE MONTH October 2014

Fabulous Fibre Month is weeks away, and here are our Top 10 Reasons to come to Hudson, WI for Felting Workshops in October 2014!

Some classes are almost full, and registration for all classes is closing on September 15, 2014. If you haven't registered yet, please email Robbin@HeartFeltSilks.com today. Go HERE for the full felting workshops schedule and complete details on each class and instructor.

See you in October!

Fabulous Fibre Month October 2014 is hosted by HeartFelt Silks and Seasons on St. Croix Gallery. Additional sponsor: Textile Center of Minnesota.

Top 10 Reasons to Come to Hudson, WI for Fabulous Fibre Month October 2014

1. Hudson, WI is located on the beautiful St. Croix River, designated a National Scenic Riverway.

2. October is peak foliage season in Hudson -- the area will look breathtakingly beautiful. 

3. Learn the Art of Felting from artist instructors with a regional and national reputation in fiber arts.
 
4. All Felting workshops are held at the award-winning Seasons on St. Croix Gallery of art and fine craft.
 
5. Delicious meals at area restaurants - Barkers, Knoke's Chocolates, San Pedro's, Smilin' Moose, Pier 500, Mama Maria's. 

6. Many cultural & historic attractions, including Octagon House Museum, The Phipps Center for the Arts.

7. Fiber arts classes for every level, from beginner to advanced. Make one-of-a-kind fashion accessories to wear -- felted hats, shawls, bags. Home decor too! Learn the fascinating art of felting in a friendly, relaxed, and inspiring atmosphere.

8. Ride kayaks, canoes, or a take a narrated scenic boat tour down St. Croix River. 

9. Learn the trendy eco-printing technique or learn how to "paint" a landscape in felt.
 
10. Meet the HeartFelt Silks family - fiber artist Robbin, woodturner Harry, their daughter/model Kirsten, plus pets and Internet celebrities, Mick and Wally.

October 4-5, 2014 -- Eco-Printed Fantastic Felt Hats Workshop with Dawn Edwards (all levels)
October 10, 2014 -- Felt Birdhouse Workshop with Becky Utecht (all levels)
October 11, 2014 -- Raw Felted Locks Throw Pillow Workshop with Becky Utecht (all levels)

October 14-15, 2014 -- Felted Wool Locks Shawl Workshop with Robbin Firth (some felting experience necessary)

October 17-19, 2014 -- Seamless Nuno Felted Vest Workshop with Beth Marx  (some felting experience necessary)

October 24-25, 2014 -- Felted Landscape Workshop with Jan Waller (all levels)

October 27-28, 2014 -- Bag on a Ball Workshop with Ruth Walker (all levels)

October 29, 2014 -- Hat on a Ball Workshop with Ruth Walker (all levels

 

Schedule & Complete Details on Fabulous Fibre Month Workshops.