Book Review – Felting Fashion

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Ailish Henderson

Editor in Chief at Mr X Stitch

As a freelance artist, designer, lecturer and tutor (how do I narrow down that description?!)I have been contracted by numerous arts organizations to provide Talks, Workshops’ and Masterclasses’ in Textiles, Print Making and Fine Art subjects.  These include branches of the Embroiderers’ Guild, Textile Study Groups and The Women’s Institute.  Every year I teach at The Knitting and Stitching shows and exhibit with the Artist in Action stand.Currently I am building up to my exhibition at The Spring Knitting and Stitching Show at Olympia, London this spring; having also written articles or had work illustrated in Stitch, Inspired, Embroidery, Selvedge, Daphne’s Diary, Prima (online), Cloth Paper Scissors and the Batsford book ‘Be Creative with Textile Art.'

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Felting Fashion, Creative and Inspirational techniques for feltmakers by Lizzie Houghton

Published by Batsford

Introduction

Although there are plenty felt making books out there, very few focus on the fashion element, how can be wear our woollen master creations?  That’s the subject of this book.

Who is it aimed at?

Those who have some inkling towards felt making and want to take their skills up a level to create garments.  Be warned, you are gonna need a lot of the woolly kind!

About the artist

Houghton has a history of fashion experience, which makes her take on felt making exciting and even clothes pattern based where needed.  She lives in London and exhibits and teaches this specialist subject.

Content

There are variety of methods taught within this book.  Those who are aware of felt making to some extent, will recognise skills such as ‘Nuno felt’, which is the incorporation of another material with the wool when felting, i.e. silk fabric.

If we are a bit scared to begin with bigger projects, smaller ideas are also discussed.  Why not get your confidence stronger with one of these brooches?

We liked the imagery of the equipment needed to make the felt in the first place.  This makes it easy for us all to go into a shop and have an idea what to purchase:

What makes it special?

The excitement some will get from the fashion ideas is a possible highlight….Look at this:

The ideas and instructions to make each item are open to interpretation.  For example, it is up to us what colour materials we will choose.  We can have full pattern control too (to the extent the method allows).

Photography

Inspiration is something we might not think about in relation to felt making in this way, however Houghton lets us in to what influences her colour choices:

Obviously the felt close ups showcasing the patterns and colour and great too:

See Also

Book review – Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials eBook

What is wrong with the book?

If you don’t like felt…..then you have turned the wrong cover!

If however you think you want to push your skills a bit further and be a bit braver with your ideas (and what you wear) then this is for you!  It is not for those who don’t love colour that’s for sure!

Conclusion

Lastly we will mention the great patterns found within this book:

We feel this is worth mentoning, as it may be that you are a dress maker and looking to play with a new skill.  Patterns such as the above may make this more familiar to you!

Felting Fashion, Creative and Inspirational techniques for feltmakers by Lizzie Houghton, published by Batsford is available just by clicking through this link!