(402) Eco-Printed Felt Bags: Combining Felt and Nature
Using natural Merino wool top and eucalyptus leaves (provided in your materials fee), we will create beautiful eco-printed bags using the wet-felting method.
Perhaps you’re wondering what eco-printing (also called botanical or contact printing) is. Well, quite simply, it refers to leaves that print when bundled and steamed or simmered for a period of time. Eco-printing differs from ‘natural dyeing’…while both use natural plant materials, natural dyeing more commonly results in a fabric being dyed in one particular color. With eco-printing, you will actually see the gorgeous eucalyptus leaf prints on your piece. Eco-printing is gaining in popularity all around the world…Come and find out why.
While our bundles are steaming, there will be time to lay out a felt scarf or table runner to bundle and eco-print when you return home with the knowledge learned in class. I will have additional wool with me if you wish to purchase this in class.
Instructor will provide: use of instructor supplies including dye pots/steamers and hot plates, written instructions.
Instructor:
Experience Level:
All Levels
Maximum Class Size:
12
Materials fee:
$50 covers 8 ounces of undyed Merino roving/top (this will be enough for your bag) - I will have additional undyed Merino for purchase if you wish to make a scarf while our bags are steaming; eucalyptus leaves; reusable bag pattern/template; lightweight plastic to use for resists; written instructions
Student Supplies:
- Plastic beach pail or bucket to hold water
- Two wood dowels: 1 inch diameter x 12-14 inch length. Please Note: No longer than 14″ or it won’t fit in the pot.
- Pool noodle (only half the length is needed so feel free to cut it in two so as to make packing easier). This will be used for rolling your felt.
- A ball of undyed cotton butcher’s or kitchen twine (lighter weight string will break when bundling and is not suitable). You can find the heavier weight string in the kitchen department or at a hardware store.
- Bubblewrap: 2 ft. wide x 6 ft. length, small bubbles. I find this wider width at Home Depot in their packing/moving supplies.
- Scissors to cut string
- Sharp scissors to cut felt
- Rubber gloves
- Two to three old bath sized towels
- A Ballbrause (found at felting shops) or laundry water sprinkler. I will have several to share if you don’t have one.
- Dawn dish soap (blue, no oxy formulas) or a bar of olive oil soap (which is milder on your hands)
Optional but helpful items:
- Old pantyhose or strips of an old t-shirt to tie your felt bundles securely for rolling the felt
- You may want to bring along a plastic trash bag to carry home wet towels
Homework:
No Homework.