Workshop: The Science of Creating Felt Softies

Problem: How do you make your 2-D drawing into a 3-D soft sculpture? 

This project involves picking a subject, and making diagrams of the subject at different angles.

From the diagrams, a pattern is made. Proportions and scale are considered.

Felt can be made from pressing and agitating natural fibers such as wool or from synthetic acrylic fibers.

Here is roving from the "babydoll" sheep, Cody.  To make felt, the roving is pulled apart and layered on top of bubble wrap.  Hot water and soap are added.  The bubble wrap is rolled up and massaged by rolling it on a table with your hands.  At least 3 layers of fiber are applied.  The sheep fiber has tiny barbs on it that makes it mat easily and stay together to form a strong bond.

Students with be able to experiment with wet felting and needle felting techniques to make simple beginning projects.






Another project is a needle book. A Needle book is a place to keep your needles.  Making one is an ideal way to practice stitches! 

To start, pick out felt for the cover, the inside cover with pocket and the felt to put the needles in.

Use embroidery floss as thread.  It is normally 6 strands, but split it and use just 3 strands.  To begin, thread a embroidery or crewel needle and begin on the back with a few overcast stitches to anchor the floss (Try not to make knots). Using a "running" stitch sew the pocket to the inner cover. 

Make a design for the cover using scrap felt pieces.

Sew your design in place using a few decorative stitches.  A chain stitch is used to hold the petals in place and "seed" stitches are used to hold the center of the flower. 

Don't forget to sew on a button and a tie before you sew the inner cover (red felt with pocket) and the cover together using a blanket stitch.

Pinking shears are scissors with blades that are sawtoothed instead of straight.  They leave a zig-zag pattern. When sewing with a woven fabric (not felt) having edges that are "pinked" do not unravel as easily.  Here we are using the pinking shears for a decorative edge.

Sew through the center of the needle page and the front and inner cover with a running stitch.  Hide overcast beginning and end in the pocket. 

Learning to hand sew is an important life skill that everyone should know!  Sewing helps develop hand-eye coordination.  It is good for our brains! Sewing requires us to focus both physcially and mentally on a task. Creating with our hands helps boost self-esteem.   In college, you might be the only one on that pre-vet or pre-med surgical team that has experience stitching. Your team and the patient will be thankful for your skills!

Project: Mouse House

Project: Mouse House is a project for 4 - 5 graders who have an interest in design and crafting.  
A family of mice will be made from felt using a pattern made by the student and hand sewn together with needle and thread. ( An interest in sewing is helpful). The house will be made using a keepsake box and scrap materials.  Furniture will be made and designed from everyday materials.  Landscaping will also be added if time permits.   All materials will be included, but students will be encouraged to bring things from home to use. 

Keepsake boxes

Patterns will be made to make a second floor and 4 separate rooms.

Cardboard is fitted and a landscape is drawn.

Cardboard can be covered with duck tape that looks like wood or balsam wood pieces may be used.

Divisons are glued in place.

The landscape is painted and a fireplace is painted inside.

Mice are made from patterns. 

Art will made to hang on the walls.

Furniture and rugs will be made from scraps.

Farm Ecology Week

I had a wonderful time this week working with some great kids! Here are a few highlights from the week!  

We talked about seed germination and started an herb garden.


We learned to identify many of the species of trees on the farm.

We printed leaves on paper and then on t-shirts! 

We made cement leaves to catch water for honey bees and butterflies.  We talked about how fossils are made and looked at some fossils that are over 20 million years old.

We visited the pond on the farm and collected samples.

We used a digital microscope so we could view the pond life on the computer screen.

We used compound microscopes to view duckweed and daphnia from the pond.

We observed the honey bees on the farm and showed how we extract the honey.

We talked about insects.  Here are some beautiful butterflies that we made! 

 

Ladybug golf balls for the garden!

Observing and sketching chickens! 

We made miniature gardens with plant materials found on the farm.

 

The week would not be complete without a horseback ride!

Go Aidan! 

Bevin with assistant Samantha

If you or your group are interested in attending a workshop, please email me at: htpryor@ sbcglobal.net