eative Art Classes for adults, kidsm, tweens and teens. Art Supplies. Weaving Classes, Looms and supplies, Felt making classes including nuno techniques. Illinois, Chicago, DuPage, Naperville, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Downers Grove, St Charles, Geneva, Burr Ridge, Willowbrook, Darien, Western Springs, Glass Bead Making and lampwork Glass techniques and fusing, Jewelry silver smith pmc, silver metal clay jewelry design, beading techniques, beads, beads, beads, yarn, yarn, yarn  

HOURS:

Westmont Design Center: Wed through Sat 11am to 6pm

Berwyn Design Center: Open for Class Registration / Appointments / Special Events

What is Felt? Click Here

FLAT FELT WITH OR WITHOUT TAPESTRY INLAY: BEGINNER~ADVANCED

Instructor:  Tammy L. Deck  

This class introduces students to the fun, unusual process of wet felting by making a thin, soft, flat felt fabric.  The project may be used as a neck scarf, table runner or wall piece. Wet felting by-passes spinning and knitting (it's true! there's no knitting involved) and capitalizes on the natural attributes of animal hair fibers to bond together in the formation of a "non-woven" fabric. During Tammy's 3-hour workshop, each student will work with hand-dyed, super soft BFL wool (several handpainted, color options available) and learn how to layout yarn and wool bits for the "tapestry" surface (or choose undecorated), layer the fiber (roving), wet it and work it into their finished piece.

NO KNITTING, CROCHETING OR FELTING NEEDLES are used during this process!!

All materials and equipment supplied. Come ready for a soap and water work out!

This class introduces students to the fun, unusual process of wet felting by making a flat felt fabric with special attention to the direction of the fibers with the goal of a sculptural, fluted edge. Wet felting by-passes spinning and knitting (it's true! there's no knitting involved) and capitalizes on the natural attributes of animal hair fibers to bond together in the formation of a "non-woven" fabric. During Tammy's 3-hour workshop, each student will work with hand-dyed, super soft BFL wool (several handpainted, color options available) and learn how to layout yarn and wool bits for the "tapestry" surface (or choose undecorated), layer the fiber (roving), wet it and work it into their finished piece.  Instruction for a buttonhole closure also included.

NO KNITTING, CROCHETING OR FELTING NEEDLES are used during this process!!

All materials and equipment supplied. Come ready for a soap and water work out!
View lessBFL wool (several handpainted, color options available) and learn how to layout yarn and wool bits for the "tapestry" surface (or choose undecorated), layer the fiber (roving), wet it and work it into their finished piece.  Instruction for a buttonhole closure also included.

NO KNITTING, CROCHETING OR FELTING NEEDLES are used during this process!!

All materials and equipment supplied. Come ready for a soap and water work out!
View less

Felt Beads, Baubles & Balls for Jewelry and other Uses

Learn how to transform loose wool fiber into whimsical felt orbs (a/k/a beads, baubles and balls) through a clean, soap and water hand rubbing and rolling. There are a variety of uses for these gems...the focus for this quick session is to use them as beads for jewelry creations. You choose your colors and sizes. Single 1 hour session/ materials included in the class fee.

Felt Purse with Resist / Beginners and intermediates Welcome

Instructor: Tammy L. Deck

This class is perfect as a beginner's introduction to wet-felting for the first time. During this 3-hour workshop, each student will learn how to layer several color and surface design pattern techniques together with wool roving (unspun fiber) for a uniform fabric in the creation of an envelope style purse.  An added skill to this class is the use of a "resist" to maintain open spaces (the spot you put your wallet!)  There's no sewing for the purse itself...just the magic of wet felting.  

Felt Bracelets / Soft Cuff Class for Beginners and Intermediates

An ancient method of creating fabrics resurrected in contemporary style. Learn this fun, unusual process that by-passes spinning and knitting and capitalizes on the natural attributes of animal hair fibers to bond together in the formation of a sturdy "non-woven" bracelet base fabric. During Tammy's 2.5 hour workshop, each student will color select, layout their surface design and take the piece through the water work to felt it. Stitch a button on and wear it out!

Instructor: Tammy L. Deck

Beginners and seasoned felters are invited to come and play with this fun, unusual, magical process that by-passes knitting and sewing capitalizing on the natural attributes of animal hair to turn yarn and roving into this sculptural neck "ruff". This is a wet felting technique that delivers a stabilized durable fabric.  Perfect for wearing as fashion accessory or to stave off the artic blasts of winter.  During Tammy's 3.5 hour workshop, each student will make their own scarf or collar in their choice of colors and textures.  Button Hole stitching will be demonstrated for collar makers (Add you buttons/button holes at home when dry)

Totes & Bags Wet Felting Class

Instructor: Tammy L. Deck

During this 5 hour workshop, each student will make funky(ier) felt bag with shaped, fold over flap and flange edges that may be shaped and cut to your taste.  Students will learn the wet Felting process, how to use a "resist" to maintain the bag opening and how to incorporate surface design pattern techniques (if so desired).  We are NOT making this piece from felt fabric... we are actually MAKING THE FELT fabric (from un-spun fiber) into the shape of the bag... SIMULTANEOUSLY! Please take one of our other felting classes prior to this class.

Ipod / Cell Phone / Tablet Sleeves

Instructor: Tammy L. Deck 

Join us for a great introductory class in the art of felt making. Students will learn how to make wet felt over a form... cut it free and finish it by hand sewing on beads and attaching a cord. Felt making is a magical, natural method of turning wool fibers into fabric... all we use is soap, water and a bit of rubbing. All materials included. Kids age 7 and up, welcome.

Using the natural properties of wool and the  laminating (Nuno) technique, students will create a light, summery scarf.  Wool felt is generally thick, stiff and sculptural, but by using smaller quantities of wool and the luxurious drape of silk satin, a unique light and airy felt can be created. During this 3-hour class students will explore color and design for the application of super soft Merino and/or Targhee wool to a provided, hand-painted silk satin base.

A scarf style that is suitable for beginner students trying wet felting for the first time. Come learn this fun, unusual process and make your own elegant, artistically dramatic piece.   During Tammy's 5 hour workshop, each student will work super soft merino and/or BFL wool (a whole palette of color options available) and learn how to layout the fiber for both  the flounced edge and design lines trailing across the silk fabric centerpiece (hand painted by Tammy).  You'll learn how to control the piece as you wet it and work it... including the hand-shaping required to create the undulating, flounce edge. /or BFL wool (a whole palette of color options available) and learn how to layout the fiber for both  the flounced edge and design lines trailing across the silk fabric centerpiece (hand painted by Tammy).  You'll learn how to control the piece as you wet it and work it... including the hand-shaping required to create the undulating, flounce edge.

Laminated (Nuno) Silk Flounce Edge Shawl

Instructor:  Tammy L. Deck

Students are introduced to wet-felting during this 3 hour workshop.  Each student will learn how to layer wool roving (unspun fiber) for  uniform, flat fabrics.  Students will also learn to create and use  "half felts" for the purpose of cutting applique-looking elements used in combination with wool yarns (drawing tool) and fibers (painterly tool) which become anchored and embedded into their felt "tapestry".  The finished piece of felt may simply be hung as a picture, laid on a table for a centerpiece...or used in other sewn applications such as hats, cuffs, collars, purses and pillow fronts .