Workshop with Liz Clay

 

Sometimes I feel luckier than other times. Ten days ago I was offered a cancellation place in Liz Clay’s felting workshop in Southland. Earlier in the year I was busy with my own classes and had pencilled in commitments some of which were later cancelled, so I was delighted for myself, and sorry for Rhonda, when I had just a few days notice of a three day workshop I could attend after all, in spite of not booking at the proper time.

We don’t get all that many overseas tutor opportunities each year, especially affordably close to home ones. Liz is the International Feltmakers Association President, and an English feltmaker whose work is internationally recognised, and commissioned for top fashion-house designs. She guided us through several experimental samples which could be developed into unique cloth for garments and accessories. 

Trying laying out felt with the pattern face down on the bottom of the layout, and using fabric manipulated into folds and wraps are not my usual way of working. 

It is good and challenging to try something new in a class – pushing one’s own boundaries is sometimes easier in a class environment than when you are actually producing work, usually for a purpose, at home. There it is easy to edit and eliminate the possibilities in your head and not actually try them! 

 

The resulting class samples explore and show more possible solutions than I could do in several weeks at home alone. Even more interesting was the discussion of end use design variations, some with stitching and pattern sculpting, and the use of a dressmaker’s model to play with construction ideas. Close attention to detail and a focus on hand work is a feature of Liz’s own work.

 Add to that the reunion with feltmakers and friends from all around the Southern region, Wanaka to Dunedin, south to Bluff and Manapouri, and the chance to talk with them while working and staying at the venue, plus sharing delicious varied food we had brought along, and the occasion becomes even more special. While I run classes and see their collective work, I don’t often get to work alongside other people doing my own project for three days. I know we all enjoyed that opportunity.

Heavily textured fabrics bonded onto merino wool

inspired by lichen coloured bark textures

cotton lace adds a crisp patterned texture

Layers of colour glow through

hand manipulated fabric flowers to bond on in textured black with colour tints

colour on colour in the same method

stitched patterned sculptural forms

stitching to gather shibori style

fabrics have their own unique crinkle pattern

Shapes layered over threads on my own piece inspired by coastal bush patterns

The pictures here show some of the exciting and heavily textured surfaces the class produced, as well as some of the possibilities for stitching and shaping felt – the amazing fabric from Merino wool and other fabrics and fibres. The developments from this class should be interesting to see in future exhibitions and production. 

Laying the pieces against the dressmakers shape gave such a different view of a sample that I have spent today making a 'body' for my own studio.

The discussion in a group at the end of the class shared the possible variations in use with all

 

After the class I caught up with family in Winton on a day break, then shopped in Invercargill before driving on to run a weekend class in Tokanui, on the Southern end of the Catlins Coast – that will be the next blog.

Ang