2015 WMQFA Fall University Day: All About Wool
Class & Teacher Descriptions
One-Hour Classes
Beginning Dyeing
#203D, #302D
Description: Learn the initial process of dyeing
wool and other protein fibers. Susan Forbes, the
'Fairy Yarnmother' will demonstrate the process
and the tools for dyeing as well as teach how to set
the dyes.
Lecture/Demo
No kit
Instructor: Susan Forbes
Susan Forbes is a Wisconsin fiber artist and
independent yarn dyer. She vends all over the
Midwest where she sells under her business name,
'Fairy Yarnmother'. Susan creates yarns to use in
her art and in her patterns, called yarn blanks, that
are dyed and taken apart to use. The result is a
beautiful, unique yarn.
Blanket Stitch Baubles
#101MT, #201MT, #401MT
Description: Create a penny rug inspired, blanket
stitched ornament using felted wool. No sewing
experience necessary. Materials and supplies are
included in the kit and will be enough to make up
to three ornaments. Ornaments will be ready for
your tree when you leave!
Make It / Take It
Kit fee - $10. Includes felted wool, threads,
stuffing, needle, patterns for up to three ornaments.
Instructor: Julie Austin
Julie has been playing with fiber since a young
child. After making a felted wool Christmas tree
skirt, she began looking for ways to do more with
her scraps of wool. Come enjoy an hour with Julie
creating ornaments to adorn your Christmas tree.
Introduction to Spinning
#104D, #303D
1
Description: This demonstration class will
introduce the parts of a spinning wheel, how
it works, preparation of fibers and drafting
techniques. Students will begin to see how
limitless yarn creation can be due to fiber
selection and blending, color selection and
blending, color selection and twist. The lecture
will include notes on qualities of fibers for
various purposes.
Lecture/Demo
No kit
Instructor: Ingrid McMasters
Ingrid McMasters and her husband Peter raised
alpacas from 2004-2012. She has been spinning
since 2005 and is in the fifth level of the six level
Master Spinner Certificate program offered through
Olds College. The McMasters own Spry Whimsy
Fiber Arts in Stoughton, Wisconsin which offers
classes in spinning and felting, raw materials including
wool, alpaca, silk, bamboo and cotton, spinning and
felting tools and finished felted products.
Magic Loop Knitting
#106MT, #404MT
Description: Tired of switching between circular and
double pointed needles? Magic Loop knitting is the
perfect solution! Learn the basics of Magic Loop and
get started using it for your first project - a quick hat
knit in bulky weight yarn.
Make It / Take It - Intermediate skill level.
Knowledge of knitting in the round recommended.
Kit fee - $12. Includes one size 10 48" circular needle
and bulky weight yarn.
Instructor: Nicole Woltman
Nicole Woltman is a fiber artist that grew up in
Chicago,
then moved to Wisconsin to attend college, studying
forensic science. She later decided to pursue art and
received a BFA from UWM in 2013 with a fibers
emphasis. Her background in science and math remain
influential in her work particularly the observation and
manipulation of patterns and repetition. Her interest in
fibers led her to volunteer at the WMQFA where she
has the opportunity to share her love of all things fiber.
Petal Pushers (AKA Wool Flowers)
#301D, #402D
2
Description: Join Lyle Drier as she demonstrates different techniques to make wool flowers,
including wool circles, proddy, hooking, shirring and
pinwheels. Flowers can be made into pins or
embellished with other handwork. See samples of
her handiwork up close and personal.
Lecture/Demo
No kit
Instructor: Lyle Drier
Lyle Drier has been working with
fibers since the late 1960s. She
has done weaving, textile printing,
embroidery, and rug hooking. Her
incredible hooked pieces have
won many awards, both locally
and
nationally. She is a woven woolen
wonder!
Wearable Wraps
#102D, #202D, #403D
Description: A collection of 40+ handmade wool
jackets and coats will be shared. You will be invited
to try on, photograph and inspect the garments as
Mary Sue Fenner shares her technique and design
inspiration. Enjoy this extensive collection of hand
woven, dyed, stitched and felted garments, all created
by Mary Sue.
Lecture/Demo
No kit
Instructor: Mary Sue Fenner
A Clothing, Textiles and Design major at UW-Stout; art
studies at Newcastle-Upon Tyne Polytechnic, England;
Kansas University; and a UWM Masters have provided
Mary Sue an excellent background in fibers. Now a
retired instructor of Northeast WI Technical College,
Mary Sue is noted for use of bright colors and her own
handspun yarns. Her clothing and accessories are
seen in area shows, galleries and shops and have
been featured in Handwoven, Shuttle, Spindle &
Dyepot, Belle Armoire, Altered Couture, Sew Somerset
and Haute Handbags magazines.
Wet Felted Flowers & Fabric
3
#105D, #204D, #304D
Description: During this demonstration, you will
be introduced to basic wet felting techniques that
will carry over to future felting projects. Peter
McMasters will show you how to make flowers or
fabric at home with very few tools and just a bit
of fiber... and will share his felted wearables and creative felted art.
Lecture/demo
No kit.
Instructor: Peter McMasters
Peter McMasters and his wife Ingrid raised alpacas
from 2004-2012. Peter has been felting since 2010
and specializes in contemporary, colorful needle to
wet felted usable objects and nuno felted wearable
art. The McMasters own Spry Whimsy Fiber Arts in
Stoughton, Wisconsin which offers classes in
spinning and felting, raw materials including wool,
alpaca, silk, bamboo and cotton, spinning and
felting tools and finished felted products.
Wool Quillies
#103MT
Description: Enjoy creating an easy hand-sewn
project using wool strips and lots of imagination! You
will make a small project that teaches the techniques
used for any sized project.
Make It / Take It
Kit fee - $10. Includes fabric, 5" doll needle, a
curved needle, thread.
Supplies: Bring fabric scissors.
Instructor: Mary Flanagan, from Pickett WI, started
Mary Flanagan Woolens in 2000, offering high quality
woolens for textile crafts. Mary and her partner Scott
have been designing in a number of capacities for
the
past 30 years, and that love of textiles, especially
wool, has led to the world of textile arts. While Scott
focuses on the dyeing of wool and developing a
unique color palette, Mary continues to create new
textile art and sells a wide variety of textile art.
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