Jorie Johnson, Instructor | Saturday & Sunday, July 29 & 30, 2023 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm PST

LIVE Location: WSNF’s Slow Fiber Studio Annex, Berkeley, CA | 

REMOTE Students: Online via ZOOM

In this 2-day session, we will learn to prepare thin, soft felts, in 3 to 6 color steps, out of which we will cut floral forms, such as leaves, petals and vines. Free-hand cutting will not only use the limited material well, but allow rapid cutting. We will work on a chair mat size in a similar way to that of the 8th-century felt rugs in the Shosoin. Jorie will present a PowerPoint, including history and pattern-making techniques. Check this link to view images of the mid-8th century Shosoin Kasen felt rugs Nara, Japan.

The chair pad can be made in a larger size if you bring more wool base. The design can be prepared as a seamless pillow, or use your design on the front to which a suede or other fabric back can be stitched. Of course, the pattern can be made in any color range. My intent is to introduce the fashion and color theory used in the mid-8th C. Then we need roughly 3-4 shades of the same color. Finished size approx. 12 x 12 in (30 x 30 cm)

Workshop Registration Info

2-day Workshop Fee: $700 (WSNF members $600) Plus a materials fee paid directly to the instructor. WSNF members: Look for the member’s DISCOUNT CODE on your member’s dashboard.

Recordings of Jorie’s instructions for both days will be available to review afterwards on SlowFiberTV (SFTV). After the workshop, go to SFTV to rent, free of charge, a streamed recording of this workshop for 90 days to review the workshop for additional practice! The code for free rental will be emailed to you upon completion of the workshop.

Materials and Equipment List, LIVE & ONLINE STUDENTS

(Resources for online shops will be available in the registration confirmation email.)

General List:

(Please base amounts on the size of your project.)

-2 x hand towels,

-sharp pointed scissors, small sewing kit (pins, tape measure, needle & thread, marker pen, notebook, etc.)

-2 x soft plastic hand-size bags for rubbing surfaces

-small chunk of soap

-felting solution applicator (plastic bottle with shower top or holes punched in cap), small shampoo

-light plastic sheet 15 x 15 inches for rolling work in

-1/2~1 inch diam. rolling rod (pvc pipe, dowel, stainless)

-Additional useful item (if you own): a digital scale for dyes (We will measure small quantities in grams.)

Workshop #2 List: 

-20 x 20in bubble wrap, and same size plastic sheet =set

-5~10g of 60~64s merino in gradated colors, each of ex. 3 steps of indigo blue, 3-4 steps of softmred, (similar to the natural colors of Sappanwood, Indigo and light green) or any lt., med., and dk. gradation of the same color. As opposed to color-blending, we will address light to dark design through “steps” of prefelt elements.

-60g per mat: Look for a coarser wool for the mat base. Traditionally white was used (it shows quality of preparation of fiber) but I like beige and light brown wool, such as Karakul or any felt rug quality fiber.

-Piece of old sheet (25 x 50 inches?)

-2 nylon knee highs, or cord to tie off bundle for rolling