A handful of Liz's creations.

Liz Spear garments modeled by Chery Cratty. Photos by Mary Vogel.

Description:

Try a textile technique that will bring an exciting new focus to your work. Using an adapted wet-felting process, learn to combine fine silk fabrics and merino wool to make Nuno-Felt, an incredibly textured and versatile material. We’ll begin with the presentation of MANY examples and finished pieces, and progress to making samples to experience the potentials of color layering, differential shrinkages, etc. The second day, we’ll quickly progress to personal projects that may be designed to be a piece or a patch or small chunk of yardage destined to be incorporated into a larger textile project: art quilts, garments, handmade books or interior decor. Depending on stamina and excitement, the third day can be spent finishing a larger project, or designing and laying out another, to be finished later. Discussions of sewing garments, finishing accessories, and setting up a wet-felting studio are a few possible topics with which we can roll on through the felting process. This active class requires some upper body strength and stamina and will involve long periods of standing.

Liz Spear has been a full-time craftsman since 1978. First a potter who dabbled in weaving, she switched to weaving full time when she enrolled in the Professional Crafts Program at Haywood Community College in 1992. She weaves yardage (lots of yardage!), felts, and sews her coats, jackets and vests using her handmade fabrics. Liz’s work is rooted in function, and unique, comfortable, wearable garments are the result. Shops currently carrying Liz’s garments include the Allanstand Craft Shop and the Biltmore Craft Gallery in Asheville NC and the Parkway Craft Center in Blowing Rock, NC. Liz loves teaching and has done so since 1996 at Penland School of Crafts, the John C. Campbell Folk School, the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the Appalachian Center for Craft and at various guilds. She considers teaching and demonstrating to be the most effective practice to further her craft and help the fiber community at large.

  Dates and Location: April 6-8, 2016 at the SEFAA Center, 3420 W. Hospital Ave., Suite 103, Chamblee, GA  30341. # of Participants: 8-15

Experience Level: All levels welcome.


Additional Supply Fee: $10 payable to the instructor at the end of the workshop. Fee includes sample sized and larger rolling kits; foam noodle, plastics, and bubble wrap. 
Registration and Payment: Cost is $260 for individual SEFAA members and $315 for non-members. Please use the following direct link for registration and payment::https://sefaa.secure.force.com/Programs/CnP_PaaS_EVT__ExternalRegistrationPage?event_id=a0ud000000DNIqcAAH. Please note that SEFAA membership is $50/yr ($45/yr if you belong to one of our member organizations) and you will save $5 or $10 if you join SEFAA before registering for this workshop. If you choose to join, please click here to purchase your membership and then return to this page to complete your workshop registration. Or you can print out/mail in a membership form and then complete your workshop registration online or by mail.