From Fleece to Fabric Art – Wet & Needle Felting Experience

The Tudor Artisan Hub presents an immersive From Fleece to Fabric Art – Wet & Needle Felting Experience as part of the Cork Craft Month programme this August. Supported by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Tipperary, this unique, interactive session offers participants a comprehensive introduction to wool crafts.

Morning Session: From 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM | Evening Session: From 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Part 1: From Fleece to Fabric Art 
Led by expert felting maker Liz Martin, this hands-on session guides participants through the therapeutic, heritage craft of wet-felting. Attendees will learn step-by-step techniques
including:
• The Natural Base: Laying down the foundational base layers of natural Irish sheep’s wool first to establish the structural backing.
• Layering the Palette: Applying vibrant, coloured wool fibres on top of the base layer, paint-style, to build depth, texture, and a unique design.
• Agitation & Fulling: Applying water, soap, and physical friction by rubbing and rolling to shrink, lock, and fuse the loose fibres into a solid textile picture.
• Final Product: Completing an A4-sized felted wall hanging. The piece is specially designed with travel in mind, folding easily into an included carry bag for onward journeys.

Part 2: Dry Needle-Felting Demonstration 
To finish the experience, Liz will lead a live demonstration showing how dry needle-felting can complement traditional wet-felting. Participants will see how specialised barbed needles manipulate wool fibres to sculpt 3D accents or add fine surface details to finished work. Participants are invited to try the tools firsthand and experience the dry needle felting technique.

What Participants Need to Bring
To ensure a comfortable, fluid experience during the practical rolling and wetting stages, participants are kindly requested to bring just two simple things:
• An Old Towel: To manage excess water during the physical rubbing and rolling process.
• A Creative Spark: An open mind and a visual idea. Attendees are encouraged to bring a printed picture, sketch, or a photograph on their phone of a scene they love, such as a favourite local landscape, seascape, floral arrangement, or abstract colour palette to use as their design blueprint.

Please note: There is also an abundance of beautiful local artwork on display throughout the Tudor Artisan Hub galleries to surround, inspire, and guide participants as they select their colour palettes.

What is Provided
• All Materials: Raw natural Irish wool fleece, vibrant coloured wool top fibres, and professional wet-felting gear.
• Take-Home Art: A finished travel-friendly A4 wool landscape, seascape, or abstract picture.
• Travel Kit: A carry bag for safe transit on onward journeys.
• Hospitality: Complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits, and cake within the inspiring gallery rooms of the Hub.

Image Gallery - Click to enlarge