Felting FreNZy 
22 -27th September 2019
Queenstown

Just a quick email to alert you to the Southern Hemisphere Felter Convergence website & facebook page is all up and going.  The registrations are open.  Check their website, link below.

https://feltingfrenzy2019.nz/about/

TAFAN dates and news

Latest information from TAFAN, the Textile and Fibre Artists Network

Declutter Sale.
We are now planning the declutter sale for next year. St Christopher's Church hall in Withells Road has been booked for the 13th April.

As we announced in the last newsletter we are doing the sale a little differently this year and are “selling” tables to groups and individuals rather than TAFAN collecting donated goods and selling them. This will give the groups a chance to raise money for their own needs.  You will be responsible for the running of your own table and will need to set up your own stall, provide your own cash float, and take all unsold good away at the end of the day.

We will have more details in early 2019 but at this stage we are seeking expressions of interest from any groups or individuals, and the number of tables required.   Txt or email me at 021 027 18941 or email barbarajohns24@xtra.co.nz .  I already have 7 tables pencilled in so do get in quickly as space is limited.

Exhibition.
This is from 29th July to 17th August at the Linwood Community Arts Centre. We will be looking for some projects that could be taught in 2 hours for classes and demonstrations during the exhibitions.  And of course I hope you are all working on a piece of work to exhibit.

Happy stitching every one
Barbara

Felter's ballard

Click on the link below to see and hear the Felter's Ballard created at our 2018 Retreat, 5 days of felting fun at Glenroy.  More photos on our facebook page.

Felters' Ballard

These are the felted, not the felters

Creative Fiber Exhibtition

Congratulations to the members of our group who had work accepted and displayed in the Fibre Creations Exhibition at Canterbury Museum September  2018

Lynette Hartley, Jane Dolan, Catherine Wright and Anna Harris

Lynette Hartley's wallhanging

Jane Dolan's bags

Jynette Hartley's hooded jacket

Next Felting day

Saturday 6th November  9 am - 3 pm.  All welcome.

A lot to learn at today's felting day

 Betty Abbot showed us how to make silk paper, japanese i-cord and the various ways she adds interesting colours and textures to her felt as she makes it.  We also did our own felting and had a go at making silk paper.

Jane Dolan lost in her silk scarf selection

Betty with some of her delights

Silk paper making

Betty's felt

Betty's felt with knitting

Betty has offered a silk paper demo a the next felting day Saturday 8th September

During the cowl collar workshop Betty Abbott shared some silk paper with her fellow felters and was surprised we didn't know much about using silk paper in felting.  Betty has offered to do at short demo at our next felting day (Saturday 8th September).  She will make up a bucket of paste and let people take a container home to do their own in the next couple of days.  One litre of paste will make at least 2x 45cm sq sheets of paper.

Betty used a lot of yarn in felt decoration/design.   She plans to bring along some of that to share so  people could see possibilities for stuff they probably already have available at home, but hadn’t thought of using.  She will also bring some fancy yarn for people to use too.   

What to bring

If possible bring along a crochet hook any size between 3 and 7 mm.

To make silk paper requirements would be a covered container to carry wallpaper paste – such as icecream or large yoghurt, a selection of silk sliver, a cheap paint brush 5-10 cm wide, half metre piece of shade cloth or insect screen – Mitre 10 Mega in Harewood Rd have two widths in stock at between $4.50 and $6.00 per metre approx which will give 2x50 cm sq or 4x50cm sq pieces, which will make 1 or 2 sheets of paper at a time, a plastic undersheet and a dozen hinged clothes pegs/bulldog clips. Insect screen is $6.11 per metre.

Betty thinks the demo/workshop will take about an hour.

TAFAN is alive and well

Update from TAFAN Committee

Website http://www.textileandfibreartsnetwork.org.nz/

We are pleased to announce that the planned meeting to wind up TAFAN has been cancelled. Thank you to all the Guilds that have rallied around and nominated members to represent them. And of course, thank you to those who have volunteered their time to carry on the valuable work done by the outgoing committee. We now have a full committee and we intend to continue with renewed energy.

As the new Chairperson I would like to thank Julie, Ros, and Linda for all their wonderful work and would like to assure them that their efforts were certainly not in vain.
Your new committee is
Chair   Barbara Johns
Secretary   Julia Fomison
Treasurer   Sandra Holden

Committee
Janet Chisnall, Pat O’Donovan, Victoria Halliday, Jane Dolan, Lee Harper, Ann Bradley, Pauline Cosgrove-Haggerty, Jane Skipper, Margaret Logan and Yvonne Jordan.

The incoming committee is pleased to announce that we will be continuing with the combined exhibition at the Linwood Community Arts Centre and the Declutter Sale and will be holding both next year. If anyone has any ideas that would help make TAFAN more relevant to the Guild members please feel free to contact me.

Barbara Johns barbarajohns24@xtra.co.nz

Exciting news - Fiona Duthie workshop in NZ

From Fiona Duthie's facebook page....

New Zealand Workshop!
I'm so excited to be heading back to Nelson, New Zealand for a workshop in April 2019!
Big Ink: Surface Design and Garment Construction
April 11-14, 2019
I'll post all the details soon. If you are interested in attending and would like more information, please send me an email!
mail@fionaduthie.com

Fiona is a wonderful tutor and she makes fantastic felt items.  See https://www.fionaduthie.com/

Southern Felters Exhibition

Our exhibition went up on Saturday.  Its looking great.  Its open 7 days a week, whenever Christchurch South Library is open.  Final day is Friday 10th August so make sure you get along for a look.

Southern Felters Exhibition

Come and see our SOUTHERN FELTERS exhibition at Christchurch South Library

Saturday 21 July to Friday 10 August

Fibre Creations
14th to 23rd September 2018
Canterbury Museum

The Canterbury Area branch of Creative Fibre are currently planning their exhibition at Canterbury Museum.  Members of Creative Fibre are invited to enter their fibre creations.  The deadline for entries is Friday 7th September.  If you aren't a member of Creative Fibre I urge you to join, if only for their fantasic magazine. Members should have received a copy of the conditions of entry and the entry from from Creative Fibre, Canterbury Branch.  If you haven't email kerryblueberry@hotmail.com.

Southern Felters felting day tomorrow
Dont forget our felting day tomorrow, Saturday 6 July.

Southern Felters Exhibiting at Down By The Liffy gallery next year
We have been invited to exhibit at Down ByThe Liffy in Lincoln in June-July 2019. We exhibited there last year and we have been invited back again.

My India Tour
I have been contacted by Indrani Bedi of My India Tours. She has recently had someone pull out from the up coming Textile & Embroidery Tour 8 – 22 October 2018 so space has become available. Contact Indrani directly. My India Tours
E:myindiatours@xtra.co.nz, www.facebook.com/myindiatoursnz

TAFAN
TAFAN The Textile and Fibre Arts Network's newsletter from their most recent meeting is available but not on their website yet. This may be their last newsletter and the organisation may be disbanded so it is worth reading to seeing whether you can help save the network. Email southernfelters@gmail.com with your email address and we can email you the attachment.  Extract attached below.

Textile and Fibre Arts Network Inc, Important Update
At the recent AGM held on 23 June, the following motion was passed, as a committee with the minimum numbers of executive (4) and committee members (6) was not found to continue the work of the Network.

“That in the event of a managing committee not being able to be formed by the AGM to be held 23 June 2018, that a Special General Meeting be held within 2 months, to formally dissolve and wind up the Textile and Fibre Arts Network Incorporated and arrange distribution of the assets as per Rule 25.1 of the Society Rules”.

The date for this is Saturday 25 August, pm, time and venue to be confirmed.

Our next felting day is this Saturday, 7th July.

It will be good to catch up with everyone.

Two special things happening - Victoria is running a cowl neck workshop and we are asking people to bring along any felt items they want put up at our display at Christchurch South Library.  All members are welcome to bring along items as we are not necessarily aiming for perfection, just a wide variety of felted items. We will also be asking for volunteers to help put up the display on Saturday 21 July.

The Cowl workshop

As usual you are welcome to bring your own projects to work on or to participate in Victoria's workshop. Please contact Victoria to find out what to bring and so she knows to expect you. The workshop will be an additional $10 on top of the door charge and any wool you want to purchase.

Everyone else bring your usual supplies with you and don’t forget your lunch and the $10 door charge. People who are new to feting are very welcome.

Other dates of interest
Creative Fibre, Canterbury Area, are having their bi-annual exhibition in the museum 14 – 23 September so it is a good time to start thinking about your entries for this.

Dates for your felting calendars

Chch South Library exhibition
Saturday 21 July to Saturday 11 August

We have booked exhibition space at Christchurch South Library for an exhibition from Saturday 21 July to Saturday 11 August (finish date yet to be confirmed). We need your work to display. Preferably work that has not been displayed at the library before. We are eager to get a range of work, not just masterpieces. It is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of Southern Felters and the work always looks wonderful in their display area. You can bring your items to the next felting day Saturday July 7th. Or you can get them to Jane Dolan's place, contact Jane. We will be asking for helpers closer to the time.

Creative Fibre Canterbury Branch Exhibition

14-23 September.  Entry forms are available from Canterbury Branch.  You need to be a member of Creative Fibre to enter this.


Our next felting day
Saturday 7th July

Victoria has offered to demonstrate making a felt cowl neck. this will be $10 in addition to the material costs and the usual door fee. Get in touch with Victoria Halliday so she can keep track of numbers and let you know what to bring.

Some photos from our last felting day

Photos from Saturday 5 May.  Dont forget the felting day - This Saturday 9th June

Barbara King's wonderful coat made on
Charity van der Meer's course

Felting day this Saturday

Saturday 9th June
Nothing special planned this Saturday but looking forward to seeing the finished results from Jane's vessel workshop last month - don't forget to bring along whatever felting you have been doing. Looking forward to seeing everyone and we welcome new visitors, just turn up.
9.00 am - 3.00 pm
$10 door charge, bring your lunch

Halswell Hall on the corner of Halswell Junction Road and Halswell Road, Christchurch.

Woolfun day June 9th

This clashes with our next felting day June 9th but I'm happy to advertise it anyway.  Hoping to see everyone at our felting day though.

Woolfun Day
June 9, Saturday any time between 10.15 am and 4 pm

Come and sit by the fire and enjoy a relaxing day working with wool with like-minded people in a small group. Coffee and tea provided. Bring your lunch and your "crafty" project.
Bergli Farm at 265 Charteris Bay Rd, Teddington.  For information ring Rowena on 3299118 or 0274-829-410

'Make a Hold-All' competition - Motueka Arts Coucil

Motueka Arts Council
'Make a Hold-All' competition

Our autumn/winter competition in 2018 is to make a Hold-All. If it holds the goods - it's good to enter eg. hats, gloves, boxes, bags etc. Entries close close Friday 28th of July. For more information and to download your entry form visit their website. 

http://www.motuekaonline.org.nz/news/stories17/030317s1.html

Competition and Exhibition 2018 – ‘Create to Celebrate’
Festivities and Occasions of Culture 

Class 1 – Created with any fibre and/or yarn - any method
1st prize - $50 sponsored by Mapua Creative Fibre
Most innovative entry – wool pack sponsored by Cruella’s Natural Fibre Boutique
Most outstanding entry using natural coloured wool - $20 sponsored by The Woolshed

Class 2 – Created with threads and/or materials with a woven thread – any method (eg. fabrics, plastics, canvas)
1st prize - $50 sponsored by Nelson Building Society
Most innovative entry - $50 voucher sponsored by Cushla’s Village Fabrics

Class 3 – Created using materials or combinations from the earth (eg paper, wood, clay, flax, shells etc)
1st prize - $50 sponsored by Nelson Building Society
Most innovative entry - $50 voucher sponsored by ITM, Motueka

Class 4 – Created by a person aged 16 years or under - any materials and method
Special prizes for the best entries created from fabric, wood or any other material
Sponsored by Heart Gallery Mapua, State Cinemas Motueka and Animal Farm Upper Moutere

Creative Fibre Experience 2018 is now open to all Creative Fibre members.

Creative Fibre Experience 2018

This exhibition will be held in conjunction with the Craft & Quilt Fair, Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton Thursday 6-Sunday 9 September 2018.  An entry form pack (entry form, conditions of entry, packing slip) can be downloaded from the creative Fibre website.

Awards:
Selectors’ Choice $300
Sponsor: Events Expertise

Colour Award Product to the value of $100
Sponsor: fibre2go

Design Award $100 voucher
Sponsor: Majacraft

First Time Entrant Bag of Product
Sponsor: Prudence Mapstone

Outside the Square $100
Sponsor: Creative Fibre Waikato Area

http://www.creativefibre.org.nz/creative-fibre-experience-2018/

Felting day Saturday 15 May, All welcome

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday 5 May, 9 am.  I believe Jane is going to be making one of her wonderful felted vessels.  She is happy for people to watch how she does it.  This is not a lesson as such.  As usual everyone else is welcome to bring their own projects to work on and share ideas.

Dont forget something for the display table so people can see your finished items from last time or what you have been up to since.  Bring everything you need for felting plus  $10 door charge and your lunch.

Exhibition at Christchurch South Library
19 July to 10 August
We are booked to have an exhibition at Christchurch South Library (Beckenham).  We have had exhibitions here previously and it is a great venue with a huge number of visitors using it each day.  It is relatively easy to hang the felting and we can get it high enough that people cant touch or damage it.  The felting also looks fantastic hanging on their walls.

We will be calling for items to put in the exhibition and volunteers to help mount and/or take down the exhibition. 

Lynette Hartley
SOUTHERN FELTERS

Embellished bag challenge

Ashburton Creative Fibre Club Challenge 2018

Embellished Bag Challenge

The 2018 ACF Challenge is to embellish a supermarket shopping tote. Cost is $5.00 per entry.

Bags are made from woven jute with a waterproof finish on the inside. (These are exactly the same as jute supermarket bags but without logos and wording – retail price at a supermarket is around $6.00).  Embellishments must include something made from natural fibre using any techniques (eg. knitting, felting, crochet, sewing etc.), and ‘compulsory items’ supplied by your group. Any other embellishments or features can be added so long as the finished product is still a usable bag (ie. not a hat or a pair of trousers)!

PVA glue, sewing using upholstery or tapestry needles and any other attachment methods can be used to attach embellishments. (NB: Iron-on embellishments may damage the waterproof lining.)

Colours can be included using dye, ink, screenprint, etc.You will receive; 

A jute shopping tote,  

A few ‘compulsory items’: buttons, beads, woven scrap (fabric, ribbon etc), 

Label - write your name and your club name on the label and attach to the bag handle.

Payments and entries via your Creative Fibre Group

Entries will be judged at the Canterbury Area Day hosted by ACF in September.
" ............................................................................................

ACF Bag Challenge Entry Form

Entry fee is $5.00 per entry payable to your group treasurer.

Finished bags to be given to your group president before the Canterbury Area Day in September and will be returned to you as soon as possible.

Please complete a separate entry form for each entry. Please print clearly.

Name ...............................................................................................................................................

Group ...............................................................................................................................................

Title ...............................................................................................................................................

Alpaca entries invited

Creative Alpaca 2018 Display
'For The Love of Alpaca'

A showcase of the properties of Alpaca and Creativity

Entries are invited for the Creative Alpaca 2018 Display as part of the National Alpaca Expo 2018 to be held in Christchurch 5-7 October 2018.

We are looking for creations that show us the versatility, the warmth, the colour, the softness, the strength of alpaca. The silkiness, the drape, the wow factor. Traditional or new concepts we want to see them all.  We are also looking for high standard of craftsmanship and quality of process.

Open entry criteria, anyone may enter. There is no process limit and no size limit. No judging, just selection process in the interest of a fabulous display.

Use at least 70% of Alpaca fibre, bone, skin, yarn or a mixture, and create something wondrous for us to showcase at the National Alpaca Expo.  Attire (adult, child, baby), rugs, wall hangings, toys, sculptures, home wares, or anything else! Surprise us and have some fun!!

We will have many sponsors awards to be chosen by the sponsor or by public vote. The 3 main award are sponsored by Ashford Handicrafts Ltd, Awatere Alpacas and Creative Fibre.. Ashford have donated a 30cm wide Drum Carder (public vote).. Awatere Alpacas have donated a cash award of $250.. Creative Fibre have donated a Cash award of $250 for the entry which best shows the drape of Alpaca, to be selected by Creative Fibre.

Useful information on the TAFAN website

TAFAN, the Textile and Fibre Arts Network, are having their AGM on the weekend of 23 June 2018.  More information is available on their website.  There is also a list of dates of interesting textile events taking place in Christhchurch this year. Visit their website.

Website http://www.textileandfibreartsnetwork.org.nz/

Felting this Saturday 7th April

Our next felting day is this Saturday 7th April 2018. We are expecting a good turnout as everyone is back from their various summer activities. There will be lots to catch up on. Bring along any felting you have done over summer, it doesn’t matter what as it is always interesting to see other people’s work.

Looks like last meeting was a good one with an interesting visitor from Australia who shared some new ideas with us. We have no teaching plans for this Saturday but you never know what is going to happen spontaneously. Bring your supplies with you and don’t forget your lunch and the $10 door charge.

Other dates of interest

Creative Fibre, Canterbury Area, are having their bi-annual exhibition in the museum 14 – 23 September so it is a good time to start thinking about your entries for this.

TAFAN are having their AGM in Christchurch on the weekend of 23 – 24 June. There will be workshops and market tables. Keep your eye out for more information about this.

Our last felting day in March

Natalya's boot and bag workshops

Barbara King is at the point where she needs to confirm numbers for Natalya's boot workshops. Barbara has a lot of information about the workshops and about accomodation if you need somewhere to stay.  Email her for the full email of information.  Deposit due 23 March 2018

The workshop with Natalya has just got even better.
Natalya has developed a new basic template and you will learn how to make changes to it to make boots with laces front or back, zipper, flat or heel height from 5cm to 12 cm so it will be really amazing. It takes it to a whole new level as the original workshop related to flat heels only and lace front style.

The Christchurch boot and bag workshops dates are as follows:
Monday 1 October to Friday 5 October 2018 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (ish) or

 

Monday 8 October to Friday 12 October 2018 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (ish). 
Please note these are approx times and dependent on progress we may need to stay later.
These will be held at Redwood Primary School Hall, Prestons Road, Christchurch

The Blenheim shoe workshop will be:
Tuesday 16 October to Thursday 18 October 2018 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (ish)
Please note these are approx times and dependent on progress we may need to stay later.
Venue to be confirmed.

The Cromwell boot and bag workshop will be:
Monday 22 October to Friday 26 October 2018 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (ish) (this date may change given Monday 22 is Labour Day to Tuesday to Saturday - this will be confirmed with Bev Muir between the group of participants for Cromwell)
Please note these are approx times and dependent on progress we may need to stay later.
Venue to be confirmed.

Accomodation
Please advise if you wish to share with others and I will try and organise for people to stay in a motel unit together somewhere close. I may also be able to arrange some accommodation with other Christchurch felters but no promises at this point.

I will be sending photos and instructions to show you exactly how to measure your foot so we ensure the shoe last ordered for you will be the correct size. This is very important.
I have sent the wool that has been made into batts to Natalya to try to ensure she is happy with us using it. Once she has confirmed she is happy I will send further information on this, colours etc.

Pricing
Currently the pricing includes the price of the wool we are intending to use.If the wool choice changes there may be an adjustment to the price, but we are trying to ensure we use NZ wool. The boots and bag need approx 1.5kg of wool. The shoes require approx 400 grams. What is not included in the price is any embellishments you may wish to use on your boots, silk gauze, mulberry silk etc or shoelaces (you can felt shoelaces) as these are personal taste. I am trying to source some coloured viscose fibre, (I do have white) as this is great to use as decoration and Natalya shows you have to do this like a "cloud" to put some colour into your boots/shoes as she prefers to use natural colours in the workshops so the wool colours will probably be white, grey or a light or medium brown (to be finalised).

I have attached a photo of the shoes I did with Natalya last year which shows turquoise and orange viscose on grey wool to show how the viscose works and it is a beautiful fibre to work with. For those of you not familiar with this fibre, it is a cellulose fibre made from wood pulp and is usually called "poor man's silk". I use it on the inside of vests, bags, hats etc as it gives strength and elasticity and has a beautiful sheen. It is a dream to draft if you just wish to decorate with it. Also not included is any bag "hardware" should you wish to do one of the bags which requires hardware. This will be detailed later.

I have over allowed for costings so there are no shocks, so at this point I would expect the workshop costs to drop rather than increase. Please bear this in mind and the fact that the price includes materials, shoe lasts etc. I have negotiated a very special discounted rate with Natalya for these workshops, they would be a lot more expensive than this at her normal tuition rate.


The price of the workshop is currently $675 approx for the Christchurch workshops,$490 for the Blenheim workshop and $620 approx for the Cromwell workshop but once I have confirmed numbers I will approach Creative Fibre again to see if we can get some funding, Christine Marks and Bev Muir are also going to attempt to obtain funding and if we get some funding obviously the price will decrease - fingers crossed. The other thing that may affect the price is the Euro. Once I have paid the travel and student box cost I will make the adjustments to the costings.

As I have to pay Natayla's airfares very shortly I will require a deposit of at least $100 before 23 March 2018 please. Probably around May I will need to pay for the materials which will be coming from Natalya, being the "student box" as these will need to be posted in plenty of time to get the cheapest rate. A further payment of $160 will be due at this time.  Then a further payment due when I order the wool batts and a final payment during September. This is to spread your payments for you. Of course you are welcome to pay more or in full whenever you wish.

To ensure your place please deposit $100 into the following bank account number with your Name as reference

Barbara King
Westpac Bank
03-1700-0179616-000

The following will be supplied for use at the workshop:

Rivet/Eyelet Machine
Shoe Hammers
Shoe Mallets
Rubel Felting tool (a Russian felting tool but if you have one, please bring) - If you are interested in purchasing one - have a look on Etsy - they are great!. Photo below
Hotplate for the activation of the glue on the soles (but if you are in Christchurch and have a double electric hotplate - please let me know so we can have more than one)
Scales to weigh your batts (once again, if you are in Christchurch and can bring your own, please bring)
Trestle tables
Buckets for your water/ to carry your wet felt for the people not able to bring their own - please let me know if you require one
Paintbrushes to use with the glues and acetone
1 Electric sander and RCD plug - if you are able to bring your own please do
Scales to weigh your batts - if you are able to bring one please do
Some wooden felting tools may be possibly be available for use - photos below

The following is included in your student box:
Shoe last - these can be used for slippers,boots and shoes post workshop and are very good ones
Soles
Innersoles - these are texon board with strengthening for your shoes (shoemaking innersoles)
Heelbox
Leather for heelbox covering
Eyelets - 40
Waxed Thread
Nylon Thread
Awl hook

The following is included in the price of the workshop (these are separate to the student box):
Wool batts
Gauze for strengthening
Glue for Innersoles and Heelbox
Acetone for Heelbox
Glue for Soles

Natalya is a great teacher, patient, easy to understand and shares her techniques and knowledge freely with you.

Contact Barbara for more information and a list of the things you will need to bring to the workshops.

Happy felting ladies!
Barbara
021 2900 283 or 03 329 8283 evenings or Barbara King <arly@xtra.co.nz>