Sunday, 9 November 2014

Feltmaking

We had a busy day in LlanfairTH on Sunday, 9th. November:  as part of the preparations for our 30th Anniversary next year we have decided to make a new felt banner.  We don't have a definite design yet, but seem to have arrived at the idea of a "Tree of Life" as a basis (this may change!).  So, today we were busy making leaves in felt.  Some of us made traditional "wet" felt pieces while others had a go at needle-felting.  Jenni and Bryn had been on a short course, and passed on their experience to others.  A few needles were broken, and a few fingers were stabbed during the process of repeatedly and rapidly prodding fleece to make felt, but everyone had a very productive time.  Some bolder souls had a go at three-dimensional work and produced some impressive rodents and insects.  Let's hope there will be room on the banner for everything.

Several people took photographs, and I'm hoping they will post them.  In the meantime, here are my poor efforts which were badly affected by the red light from the heaters.
"Wet" felting, with water (yes, really) and soap.


Needle felting on a piece of foam rubber.

AC

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

A windy evening in October

Autumn has set in now and the evenings are dark, although it is still surprisingly warm for October.  The wind was roaring along when we met in Abergele on Monday.  Attendance was excellent despite the weather, and we also had three visitors who were intrigued to see what we were all doing.
Plans are afoot for our Friendship Day in April, which inaugurates our 30th anniversary.  We are also thinking about a new felt banner to replace the old one, which is showing signs of wear.  Jenny F. has kindly donated a felted fleece for the background, and Krithia and Helen have been asked to lend their experience in feltmaking to get things going.
Thanks to all who attended, and thanks to Val and Jenny for the cake!  Thanks also to Helen for taking the photographs.


Merino & silk (I think) and drop spindles.

AC

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Loom Day, Sunday 19th. October

Peg looming for beginners and experts proved very entertaining.  We tried spun yarn of the chunky variety and unspun rovings. The aim was to produce small mats for stool seats. The soft rovings will need felting to make them serviceable.
The inkle loom did not get used that day, but provoked  interest: it needs a dedicated session another time. Other looms, table top and children's miniature rigid heddle,  were also abandoned in favour of the pegs.
Bryn T.
A brand new peg loom in action:  long threads are attached to the bottom of the pegs to act as a warp.  The weft is wound in and out by hand, and before the pegs get "full" they are taken out one by one and the warp is pushed down along the weft.  (The holes in the block are there to support the pegs.  The warp doesn't go through them.)

Inkle loom

Weaving removed from the peg loom.  The weft has been pushed down tightly and the warp threads have been tied to prevent it unravelling.

Friday, 3 October 2014

SUNDAY LOOMS - OCTOBER 19TH.





Llanfair Talhairarn Community Hall 19 October 10 - 4
Our theme for the 19th is weaving, with as many portable looms as we can manage present in the Hall.
Please bring yours, to showwork on and and tell.
Bring wheels, etc. if you want to vary your day and a packed lunch.
Members £5