Raw Fleece to…Tuffet: Making Seat Mats with Sheep Fleece

The 29th June is SOLD OUT. We do have spaces on the 27th July Workshop.

A day working with raw sheep fleece to make a natural, sheep friendly and sustainable seat pad. The fleece seat pads make a beautiful feature in any home and can be used to create cosy chair pad, bench mats or made into cushions, keeping your warm & comfortable, especially in the winter months. They also make stunning wall hangings, or can be used as luxury pet beds.

This is a great introduction to learning how to work with raw fleece and less physically demanding than making a whole fleece rug. The bonus is you will be helping to support British farmers by making use of the fleeces they shear, the sheep enjoy their annual hair cut, you learn news skills and take home a beautiful work of art!

During the day you will learn how to;

Prepare the raw fleece - skirting, dagging & removing vegetable matter
Layout a backing
Shape & Bind the fleece together using soap, water & elbow grease
Scour and wash out the lanolin and field dirt
Dry & Finish the fleece in two differnt methods

We’ll discuss which breeds fleeces felt readily, the fibres suitable for backings and two ways to finish your living fleece seat pad. You will make at least one seat pad, perhaps two depending on your prior felting experience, stamina and speed at which you as an individual work.

We will work with Mule fleeces (a cross breed of 2+ sheep breeds), which are a white to ivory colour. The raw fleece and fibres are included in the workshop fee.

We can offer alternative breeds of fleece to work with on request. If you would like to work with a specific breed or bring your own fleece please let me know. Requests for specific breeds need to be made 3 weeks before the workshop. Requests for other fleece breeds attracts an additional fee, cost is dependant on the breed and availability. An invoice for the fleece will be made on confirmation of availability. Specific fleece requests are dependent on suppliers stocks, therefore requests can not be guaranteed.

You will need to bring with you 2 old towels, a large waterproof bag or bucket (to carry you damp fleece home in), a camera, notebook and a packed lunch.

The workshop is restricted to group of 3-4 people on the dates advertised. If you would like a private workshop for your group or a 1-2-1 session and wish to arrange an alternative date please contact me to discuss your requirements and suitable date.

Please be Aware:

This is a physically demanding process. You will need some strength, patience and fitness as you will be standing for long periods of time, rolling and lifting the fleece, which is heavy when wet. The workshop will be outdoors and working with raw fleece is a dirty, wet and messy activity - please dress appropriately in old clothes and comfortable footwear. The session is paced to ensure you have plenty of rest breaks, we will stop for lunch and you'll be kept going throughout the day will lots of drinks and light refreshments!

Because the workshop takes place outdoors, under gazebos, we reserve the right to postpone and/or cancel the session if threatened by unseasonable or adversely inclement weather (thinking monsoon rains / gales / or tornadoes & yes we had one in 2005, I kid you not!) A substitute workshop date or refunds (minus a fee of £25 / or cost of your bespoke fleece) will be given in the unlikely event we have to cancel.

Please note: This workshop is not suitable for anyone with a lanolin allergy. Gloves can be provided but we cannot guarantee you will not come into contact with the lanolin.

This is a full day workshop: 10am - 4:00pm. The workshop is scheduled to end at 4:00pm however I have factored in a half hour flexibility built in case we over run/depending on ability of group and to ensure your work gets to a suitable stage to take home to finish, (rinse, dry & use chosen finishing method)..

Participants are asked to arrive at 9:45am for a 10am start.

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.

Raw Fleece to....Tuffet: Making Seat Mats

£95.00

Quantity

Do I need to be able to felt to attend this workshop?

Some previous felting experience is required, if you are unsure please contact me to discuss the sutability of this course for you. All abilities are welcomed but please note, this is a very physical workshop.

Felt making is a physically demanding process. You will need some strength, patience and fitness as you will be standing for long periods of time, rolling and lifting the fleece, which is heavy when wet.

The session is paced to ensure you have plenty of rest breaks, we stop for lunch and you are kept going throughout the day will lots of drinks and light refreshments!

What is provided in the workshop?

Tea, coffee, refreshments and a light lunch.

All materials and equipment are provided; we will work with Mule fleeces (a cross breed of 2+ sheep breeds), which are a white to ivory colour. The raw fleece and fibres are included in the workshop fee.

We can offer alternative breeds of fleece to work with on request. Requests for a specifc fleece type needs to be made no less than 3 weeks before the workshop. Requests for other fleece breeds attracts an additional fee, cost is dependant on the breed and availability. Avaiablity of alternative fleeces is dependent on suppliers stocks, & therefore requests can not be guaranteed.

Alternative breeds fleece choices include; Jacobs (+£20), Hebridean (+£20), Icelandic (+£30) or Gotland (+£40). An invoice for the fleece will be made on confirmation of availability.

Please be aware that fleeces are a natural product and from living sheep - therefore no two fleeces are identical, and as such colour and patterning will vary.

Illustrated handouts notes are offered to enable you to continue to practice what you learn during the workshop. We suggest you bring along a camera / camera phone to help your record the your work during the workshop.

Do I need to bring anything?

Packed Lunch. Wear suitable clothing. Bring 2 old towels, a large waterproof bag or bucket (to carry you damp fleece home in), a camera and a notebook.

Should I wear specific types of clothing?

The workshop will be outdoors and working with raw fleece is a dirty, wet and messy activity - please dress appropriately in old clothes and comfortable footwear. We do have a selection of fabric aprons for your use.

How long is the workshop?

This is a full day workshop: 10am - 4:00pm. The workshop is schduled to end at 4:00pm however I have an additional half hour flexibility built in case we over run/depending on ability of group and to ensure you finish felting your work.

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 (e.g. 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.
Where will the workshop take place?
This workshop will take place outdoors and under gazebos in my garden in South Birmingham, UK.
Venue: Silversoles Studio, 129 Hazelhurst Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 6AG

Workshop Access

The workshop will be outdoors and under gazebos in my garden in South Birmingham, UK. Access to the venue is via a side gate at the front of the house, (right hand side).
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 24 hours, 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.

Because the workshop takes place outdoors, under gazebos, we reserve the right to postpone and/or cancel the session if threatened by unseasonable or adversely inclement weather (thinking monsoon rains / gales / or tornadoes & yes we had one in 2005, I kid you not!)

In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop, then a refund (minus a fee of £25 or cost of your requestred fleece breed) 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.

Silversoles

Raw Fleece to....Tuffet: Making Seat Mats

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