Feltmakers Ireland

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Founded in 2003 in response to a growing interest in feltmaking, Feltmakers Ireland is a voluntary organisation with members from all over Ireland.

We welcome everyone with an interest in promoting and encouraging the craft of feltmaking

13/10/2026

RECAP: Feltmakers Ireland shares Wet and Needle Felting at the Midlands Fibre Festival

By Mary O’Rourke

On Sunday, the 11th of October 2026, five members of Feltmakers Ireland (Elizabeth, Eva, Deirdre, Elaine and myself) represented the Guild at Midlands Fibre Festival at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone.

Felting Demonstrations
We had a lovely, successful day and met lots of interesting people, all of whom expressed a huge interest in wool, felt, and feltmaking. We demonstrated both wet felting and needle felting on the day. People, as is usual when we demonstrate, were fascinated by the process and asked many questions, which were expertly answered by the team.

Needle Felting Workshop
We also ran a workshop where six ladies learned to needle-felt a flower brooch in just 90 minutes. They each completed their piece and took home a brooch they made themselves. Photos of the students are on the blog.

Interest in our book “Exploring Irish Wool for Felt Making” was high, and several copies were sold.
Three people joined Feltmakers Ireland on the day, with several others expressing interest.

Thank you!
It was a great day, and we must thank Chad and Mary, the Midland Fibre Festival Organisers, and their team of volunteers, all of whom were lovely and eager to help in any way they could.

Next year’s Festival will be Sunday, 23 May, 2027, back in Athlone!

Volunteer Eva’s Instagram:

12/10/2026

RECAP: Fine Felt Workshop 2026 with Annika Berglund

To see all the photos, visit our blog: https://feltmakersireland.com/2026/10/12/recap-fine-felt-workshop-2026-with-annika-berglund/

On Sunday, the 11th of October, 18 students gathered around longtime guild member and artist, Annika Berglund, to explore how to make fine felt. We learned about the importance of using “gentle hands” and how to create “compact versus scrunchy felt”.

The workshop was divided into two parts, with Annika demonstrating each step along the way. In the morning, we created a flat square of black, white and grey felt, learning how careful handling of the wool fibres influences the finished material.

Editor’s favourite takeaway: Feltmaking transforms loose wool fibres into a new material, much like baking transforms butter, flour, sugar and eggs into a cake. Once these transformations have taken place, the original ingredients cannot simply be separated out and returned to their former state.

In the afternoon, students learned how to create a three-dimensional felt piece using a resist. Annika encouraged anyone new to the technique to “have faith” in the process, which is a reassuring reminder that sometimes you need to trust the felting.

The group included longtime members, newer members and even non-members. This mix sparked interesting conversations as students shared their textile interests and experiences.

Many thanks to Annika Berglund for taking the time to share her knowledge and lead the workshop! Additional thanks to the volunteers, Siobhán, Lorna, Irina, Fiona, Helena, Loli, Sam, and Juliane, who helped to set up the room and assist the students. Thank you to everyone who brought yummy treats to share, too!

Lastly, we were delighted that the filmmaking happening simultaneously in the adjacent room had limited impact on our workshop. (We were told there would be a rave scene with loud music!) Thanks again for everyone’s patience as we wove through the maze of interesting rooms to get to the big hall at the back of the CIE Sports Hall.

Our regular Sunday Session will be on the 18th of October, when longtime member and textile artist Mel Bradley will share her Textile Journey. No need to book. For more information, see this blog post: https://feltmakersireland.com/2026/09/29/sunday-session-mel-bradleys-textile-journey-18th-of-october/

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09/10/2026

Open Call: Rua Red Annual Exhibition - 'Red' - Dublin

Rua Red’s annual open call is an opportunity for graduates, emerging and established artists living on the island of Ireland to submit their work to be shown as part of a group exhibition.

They welcome submissions across all art forms that respond to the theme—Red, as a colour and a concept.

"Red is a warning. It is also the colour of love, warmth, desire and energy.
It is the colour of blood, heat, fire, intense passion and beauty.
Red can signal danger, mark a boundary, demand attention or call us to action."

Works do not need to use the colour red.

Exhibition Dates: 11th of December 2026—6th of February 2027

Submission deadline: 26th of October 2026, 5 PM

Where: Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght, Dublin, D24 KV8N

For more information, visit here:
https://www.ruared.ie/media/pages/news/69b8ea6f1b-1790341457/annual-open-call-2026.pdf

Their Instagram:

Image: 'Right Here, Right Now' Annual Open Exhibition 2025. Photo by

08/10/2026

Of Interest: Textile Takeover - Ulster Folk Museum - This Saturday

Explore textiles and sustainability at the Textile Takeover at the Ulster Folk Museum. Shop vintage, learn how to repair clothes, watch weaving and spinning demonstrations, try embroidery and learn from fashion and textile experts.

Guild member Katarina Hruskova of Woolstore Ireland will be there to share about Irish wool.

Fibreshed Ireland will also be at the event, representing another part of Ireland’s growing textile and fibre community.

When: This Saturday, the 10th of October, 11 AM to 4 PM

Where: The Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Rd, Holywood BT18 0EU, United Kingdom

For more information and to book general admission tickets, visit their website: https://www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/whats-on/textile-takeover

Their Instagram:

07/10/2026

Of Interest: Upcycle & Alteration Event - Carnegie Library - Dun Laoghaire

Take a jaunt along the Dun Laoghaire Charity Shop Trail and bring your treasures to Carnegie Library, where you'll learn how to transform them to fit you!

Bring it along to The ReDiscovery Centre's FREE Upcycle & Alteration Station at Carnegie Library as part of the Dun Laoghaire Charity Shop Trail.

When: Saturday, the 10th of October, from 11 AM to 4 PM. There are morning and afternoon sessions = 11 AM–1:30 PM and 1:30 PM–4 PM.

Where: IADT Carnegie Library, 19/23 George's Street Lower, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 X2AA

For more information and to book your spot, please visit their website: https://www.rediscoverycentre.ie/workshops/free-upcycle-alteration-station-at-the-carnegie-library/

and .ie

06/10/2026

Of Interest: Guild Member Niki Collier featured on the Create Whimsy website

Feltmakers Ireland member Niki Collier was recently featured on the Create Whimsy website.

“Niki Collier turns wool into bold, playful felt sculptures that invite us to look at difficult subjects in a new way. Her work grows from curiosity, life experiences, and a belief that making art can help us find light in dark places. Niki shares how felt became her medium, her creative journey, and why she wants everyone to have a chance to discover their own creativity.” - from Create Whimsy

To read the full interview and see all the photos, visit the Create Whimsy website: https://createwhimsy.com/projects/spotlight-niki-collier-visual-artist

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If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland, please let us know about your upcoming exhibitions, features, workshops and craft fairs. We're interested in hearing what our members are up to and want to share relevant news with the wider guild community.

If you have something coming up that you think other members would enjoy or find useful, please send the details to us at [email protected]

05/10/2026

Open Call: .in.wool seeking Green Wool Squares for St Brigid's Cloak

The popular digital creator, knitter, and comic Hannah Civita of .in.wool is seeking knitted, crocheted or FELTED green-coloured wool squares or rectangles made by women in the textile community. These will be sewn together as part of a larger project, a giant St Brigid's Cloak.

The details:
The wool need not be Irish-raised, but it should be sheep fibre.
The square/rectangle should be a shade of green.
It can be knitted, crocheted, felted, or even embroidered!
The minimum size is 8"/20 cm by 8"/ 20 cm.
A female must be the maker of the square/rectangle.

Deadline: Sometime before the end of the year.

Please mail your green wool textile to the following address: OOH93917576, Gateway Student Village, Ballymun, Dublin D09 T9XZ

For additional information, listen to the lovely interview from the 29th of September, where Hannah chats with Doireann Garrihy about the project on RTÉ 2FM: https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/7fc97d03-c8fa-4c77-896d-b4d400be5052-2fm-mornings-with-doireann-garrihy/

Turnip Spice Latte, anyone? And she mentions the Galway Wool Co-op's Meitheal!!!

Hannah's Instagram: .in.wool

The image is a composite of posts from Hannah's Instagram.

02/10/2026

Of Interest: Instagram Giveaway of 2 Tickets to Midlands Fibre Festival

The Midlands Fibre Festival is VERY soon! Want to join us?

Feltmakers Ireland is giving away two tickets, with two winners, each receiving one ticket. We will select the winners at random at 10 PM on Thursday, 8th of October 2026, and contact them via Instagram DM (direct message).

In order to be included, please do the following:

1) Follow our Feltmakers Ireland Instagram Page –

2) Like and Share the Instagram Post

3) Tag a Friend in the comments of the Instagram Post

Note: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram.

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We Will Be There
At the Midlands Fibre Festival, Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate and share the wonders of feltmaking.

Several of our members will also exhibit their artworks and/or sell fibre-related supplies.

Karen Bowden –
Joanne Foley –
Katarina Hruskova – .ie
Sandra Marschall – Create with Ewe -
Belinda Reid – -dreams_feltart_
Sandra Reynolds –
Sharon Wells –

When: Sunday, the 11th of October, 10 AM to 6 PM
Where: Radisson Blu Hotel, Northgate Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, N37 A8X9

For more information about the festival, visit their website: https://www.midlandsfibrefestival.com/

01/10/2026

Education: Fine Felt Technical Wet Felting Workshop with Annika Berglund

The course examines “Fine Felting,” which is traditionally desired in the craft. The class repeats previous years’ Fine Felt Workshops, but students may retake the workshop if they wish. Non-members are also welcome.

The class is composed of 2 parts: a Square 2D Sample & a Small 3D Vessel.

In the morning, beginner wet feltmakers will learn how to lay out wool using a flat 10-inch template & how to felt, full & shrink. We will look at colour graduation & shrinkage rates. More experienced feltmakers can focus on creating a very light, even layout using 10 grams of wool for a 10-inch square. We will look at how to get the densest, finest felt possible while creating a perfect square sample with a shrinkage of 30%, 40%, 50%, or possibly 60%, depending on our felting speed. This may not be how we would do felting on an everyday basis. But this session spent truly concentrating on careful felting should improve our overall felting work.

Note: We will break for lunch. Please bring something to eat as we will only have 30 minutes. Tea & coffee will be provided. Bring a ‘travel mug’ to cut down on paper cup waste & a baked good to share.

In the afternoon, we will apply what we learned in the morning to make the finest little vessel. We will use a different layout (spokes & wheel), laying out 10 grams of black & white wool around a 20 cm circular resist. The goal will be to create a very thin, fine vessel that is well-felted & sturdy.

We will supply ALL wool & materials.
Please bring TWO towels.

We will have spares, but if you have the following items, please bring them with you:
A bowl
A water sprinkling brauser or similar (we do have some)
Small sharp scissors
Ruler with inches AND centimetres

When: 10 AM - 4 PM. We will start at 10. Please arrive a few minutes early to get settled.
Where: CIE SPORTS HALL, Inchicore, Dublin 08

Registration-This workshop costs 40 euros. There are 5 spots remaining.

Reserve your spot: https://buy.stripe.com/14AaEWerle3ZehgbokaZi0u

Unfortunately, Zoom attendance is not available. Please note that the Fine Felt course is the same day as the

Address

Library Square, Inchicore,
Dublin
8

Website

http://www.feltmakersireland.com/

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