An opportunity to create a unique piece of home decor to complement your home and learn two new skills - Feltmaking and Lampshade making!
Day One: Using merino or a native breed wool with additional yarns and fibres such as silk, linen and soya - you will design and make a piece of felt fabric. You will learn how to lay the wool and other fibres and apply wet felting techniques to bond the fibres together. You can choose neutral tones, bright jewel colours, abstract patterns or more pictorial elements to create your unique design. At the end of this first half day session you will have a piece of flat fabric which you will go on to make your bespoke lampshade with.
Day Two: Using the felt fabric prepared in the first session you will make your lampshade. Learning how to cut your felt fabric to size, adhere a fire resistant backing and shade rings, to construct your lampshade. This session will give you a basic understanding of how to make a drum lampshade, equipped with these new skills, you can apply this knowledge to future projects with confidence.
We will make drum lampshades of 20cm d. or 30cm diametre. Other sizes are available on request and attract an additional material fee, please contact me to discuss your requirements.
This workshop takes place over two half day sessions between 10am - 2pm each day. Our next workshop dates are:
19th & 20th September 2026 at Silversoles Studio, Kings Heath, Birmingham
Can't Make the Dates? If you would like to book a workshop for you/your group on an alternative date please contact me to discuss your needs and we'll be happy to arrange a date for you.
Please read the Workshop Terms & Conditions carefully before booking to familiarise yourself with our Refund Policy, Use of Handouts & Designs, Photography & Recordings. By booking a place on our workshops you are agreeing to our Workshop Terms & Conditions. Thank you.
Felt Lampshades
Do I need to be able to felt to attend this workshop?
No previous felting experience is required. All abilities are welcomed as this workshop is especially suitable for beginners.
What is provided in the workshop?
All materials and equipment are provided. Illustrated handouts notes are offered to enable you to continue to practice what you learn during the workshop.
Do I need to bring anything?
If you have a stash of yarns, fabric or other material, and which of us that love textiles doesn’t, do bring along any bits you'd like to incorporate into your work. Prior to the first session consider what colour, pattern and design you would like your shade to have by collecting images, making sketches and notes.
I suggest you bring along a camera / camera phone to help your record the your work during the workshop.
Should I wear specific types of clothing?
Wear old clothes and comfortable footwear and bring along a plastic apron iIf you have one to a plastic, to protect your clothing, we do have a selection of fabric aprons for your use.
How long is the workshop?
This is workshop that takes place over two days, each runs: 10am - 2:00pm.
Participants are asked to arrive at 9:45am for a 10am start.
Do you cater for dietary restrictions?
Light refreshments are provided during all our workshops. We offer a selection of light refreshments that include traditional, herbal & fruit teas, coffee (de/caffeinated), squash and water to drink alongside sweet snacks (biscuits, flapjack, cake or seasonal fruit).
If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know in advance, and we will make adjustments to cater for your need.
If you have opted for the Warwickshire Artisans workshop dates an optional Lunch is available. If you book this option I will be in touch with a menu for you to choose from. Typically the menu consisits ofr sandwiches, soups or quiche with a salad.
Where will the workshop take place?
Venue: Silversoles Studio, 129 Hazelhurst Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 6AGWorkshop Access
The Silversoles studio is based at the end of my garden and accessed via a narrow side path and by crossing grass and hard standing areas. There is a small step up into the studio. We are currently having building work so the terrain may be uneven, please take care when walk to and from the studio.
How do I book?
You can book directly through the website by clicking on the ‘Add to Cart’ button. Course fees are payable in full to secure your place on the course.
Bookings are taken on a first come first served basis. The full amount of the workshop fee is payable in advance to secure a place on the course(s).
On purchasing a workshop place we will email to confirm your place on the course and send a copy of the workshop information sheet.
Do you have a waiting list for workshops?
Where workshops are over subscribed a waiting list system will operate. If/when a place becomes available we will contact those on the waiting list in order to offer a place. If we are unable to contact you within 24hours, the place will be offered to the next person on the list. No payment will be taken until you have secured a place on the workshop.
By booking a place on our workshops you are agreeing to our Workshop Terms & Conditions.
What’s the refund policy?
Should you need to cancel your place on a workshop for any reason the following will apply. Cancellation 28+ days prior to the workshop, a 50% refund or substitute workshop are offered. Cancellations less than 28 days prior to the course, there are no refunds.
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop, then a full refund or replacement workshop will be offered.
Workshop Handouts & Designs
All workshop handout notes and designs provided are for private personal use only. Please respect the artist’s intellectual and creative rights and do not copy the notes / designs for publication, teaching or commercial gain.
Photography & Recordings
While we encourage you to bring a camera to record your work in progress, when taking photographs, please only record your work. We ask that you respect others work and privacy, and seek permission to photograph their work. Please do not take offensive if permission is refused. We politely ask that film recordings are not made during the workshop.
Thank you for your co-operation.
"The felted lampshade workshop was just great. I think Emma is a very good teacher....patient, attentive, helpful and gives clear instructions. The photos she took as we worked will be a useful reminder of the techniques involved. Her enthusiasm for all things felting is infectious and I look forward to attending another felting day in the future. Thanks Emma!" Sarah Y
"Very enjoyable - informative - lovely atmosphere - high level of achievement. Learned new techniques - will make some more lampshades. Thank you Emma for all the care & attention you gave me." Meg
"Had a terrific time, learnt so many new skills and left with lots of new ideas & feeling inspired. Thank you." Nirdesh
"Emma was amazing and gave lots of encouragement and technical help and information. The social atmosphere was fabulous and we all loved our finished pieces. A thoroughly enjoyable and very rewarding course" Bridget C.
"Fantastic course. Really pleased with result. Very patient teacher, clear instructions and guidance. Can't wait to do the next course." Susan
"A well planned two day process, taking us through each stage carefully, with plenty of tips on the best methods to use." Rebecca
"Emma was an amazing teacher and testament to her teaching is the brilliant finished products. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole making process and loved creating the felt fabric! Thank you so much for your belief, inspiration and calmness!" Mereta
"I never thought I'd be interested in making lampshades, but Emma's enthusiasm has rubbed off & I throughly enjoyed the workshop. Also discussing her experimental work bound in files - beautiful and inspirational work." Anne
"Very clear instructor - fun, approachable and gave me confidence" Kim
"It was good to see my felt turned into a lampshade. Taking it step by step meant that the instructions were really clear. Great to have the information on where to buy lampshade parts." Gill
"I have wanted to make a felt lampshade for ages so was really delighted when this came up. It really met my expectations and more. Emma is very patient and an excellent teacher. I am so pleased with my lampshade which has had lots of positive comments already. Will be making another one soon." Janice
"With Emma's patience and expertise, I came away with a rather fabulous lampshade that has pride of place in the bedroom. Her knowledge of natural breeds is vast so can advise on which wool would be most suitable depending on how much light and the pattern you require. Would definitely recommend this course for all felting abilities." Pauline U
"What an excellent experience. I am thrilled with my lampshade. Emma made us feel so welcome and her garden studio is beautiful. She gave us plenty of advice and guided us through each stage of making the felt and constructing the lampshade with patience and skills. I have a limited amount of felt making experience, but this didn't matter as Emma's support, advice and encouragement helped me bring my ideas to life. Thank you Emma - brilliant workshop!" Esme K
"I have loved doing this short course and was amazed with my finished felt lampshade - my friends don't believe I made it! Emma gives you just the right amount of support and step by step instructions throughout - she is a wonderful teacher. There are lots of beautiful coloured and un-dyed wools to choose from and a mouthwatering selection of fancy fibres and yarns to use too. Working over two days helped me to digest everything, from felt making to making the lampshade, I've learnt so much. The detailed handout instructions given back up anything I forget and will help me have another go. I left so inspired, thank you." Rachel
"Another fabulous course with Emma! I thoroughly enjoyed the two Saturday mornings and was delighted with my lampshade when it was finished. Emma is always so warm and welcoming, and her studio is a lovely place to work. In addition, by keeping groups, she is able to give each person individual attention when they require it. Emma is such an inspirational tutor. She guides you through the process step by step with clear instructions and at the right pace. There is just the right amount of support, with a good balance between teaching new skills and helping students develop their own ideas. Clear written instructions, photographs taken during the process and a list of suppliers are all provided by Emma. More importantly, she gives you the confidence to 'have a go' at trying different techniques. I can't wait to make my next lampshade and try some of them out! A great course for beginners and those with some experience of felting. I can highly recommend this and other courses by Emma. Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you again soon." Yvonne T
"This was my second visit as I needed another lampshade in the style of the shade created at one of Emma's previous workshops. Emma is an excellent teacher and with her expert guidance I have created a piece of work I am proud of as well as a small scarf with left over material. An enjoyable and productive two half days course. " Pauline U
"Well organised and very clear instructions. Thank you for tailoring the workshop to our needs with a Zoom session and handout. Superb rapport with participants." Martine [ one session delivered remotely and one in person]
"Very enjoyable. Well-prepared, good notes & pre-work & online meeting. Added bonus seeing your sketchbooks and hearing you talk about them. So many great ideas & supplier tips" Hilly [ one session delivered remotely and one in person]
"Emma is a very inspiring teacher, she provided us with lots of information, ref, and clear instructions. I’ve learned how to transfer my ideas and designs onto a lampshade; recommend to homemakers, artists & designers alike. A very interesting medium to consider for marketing ur designs or as a creative expression, it is also a very useful for homemaking / interior designs with a personal touch. This workshop has given me some insights on the possibilities of what u could do with felt, or with added embellishments on it; turning creative expressions into a product, very interesting & practical for future projects. I’m very pleased with what I’ve learned, I recommend the course " Shirley
"I enjoyed making lampshades with Emma. Though I have done wet felting before (via Emma’s felted vessel workshop) I thought this would be interesting to try out as I enjoyed the other workshops I’ve had with Emma and I was in need of a lampshade for my house. She sent emails on what to bring to workshop, e.g. photos or drawings for inspiration. Emma is very thorough with her explanations and shows you all the steps you need to take at a good pace. She often has some great tips on what works and what doesn’t and showed different lampshade examples and felted samples. It’s always a friendly and supportive atmosphere at her studio. There was another lady at the workshop and Emma split her time equally between us. I received worksheets explaining all the stages we’ve been through and was sent some images she took during the workshop. I was very happy with my finished lampshade and with all the support I was given I feel confident to have a go again. I would encourage anyone to attend Emma’s workshops with a great teacher and lovely company. Thank you Emma I always have such a good time learning new techniques with you." Rachel F
