World of felting opens for Mayfield pupils

The children of Mayfield School rolled up their sleeves and opened their minds to the world of felting at the Millenium Art Gallery yesterday.

Two classes from the school attended a workshop at the art gallery as part of the month-long felting exhibition Earthwaulks.

Students Thomas Cross and Blake Patterson, both 10, had not seen or worked with felt before but said it was easy to get the hang of it.

The process of felting involves wetting differently dyed wool with detergent and hot water, then compressing it as much as possible and squeezing the liquid out.

Christine Marks, exhibition convener and member of felting group Aotearoa Felters, said the exhibition of work from felters across the world and the workshop showed the children the potential of felt.

The exhibition includes dresses, a tea cosy, hats and dolls all made of felt.

Felting was experiencing a "resurgence" because there was shift away from a throw-away society and an increasing interest in natural products, she said.

"People just don't realise what you can do with it [felt] – they just think of it as a craft, but it's an art form," she said.

Mayfield School teacher Heather Stenhouse said the workshop was a chance for both the teachers and students to learn about felting and it fits in well with the school's art programme.

The Earthwaulks exhibition closes on October 3.

- The Marlborough Express

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