Felt takes on its own personality
RETIRED Occupational Therapist Natalie Hulme Leach has a passion for anything textile, and has developed her knowledge of various crafts by taking part workshops and courses to help her learn even more, as Natalie explains: “I am hopeless at drawing, but seem to be able to construct things when I have the tactile stimulation that working with textiles provides.”
About nine years ago, my daughter, Amy, treated me to a felt making workshop, that we attended together. From that moment on I was hooked, attending numerous workshops and online classes over the years.
I have happily dabbled in wet felt, nuno felt, hollow form felt, surface texture felt. Upwolfing, cobweb felt, mosaic, basically anything I can experiment with. I tend to use merino wool for my wet felting, incorporating silks, cottons, protein fibres, crab fibres, alpaca, anything I can lay my hands on!
“I also experiment with needle felting, mainly using wool batts and particularly like making 3D forms from needle felt, the quirkier the better.
“I love the fact that felt takes on it’s own personality and the end product often amazes me!
“Once I retired I also became interested in millinery. I make my felt from scratch then form and block into a unique hat.
“Of late, I have started to learn how to weave and spin. I just love the fact that more and more people are getting in touch with the traditional crafts that helped to form our society in years gone by.”
Natalie and her friend Wendy Blackwell set up The Llyn Textile Group, who meet in Llannor, on the Llŷn Peninsula
“I have been astounded by how much talent there is in this area and what a fabulous group of people we have attracted.
“I have a great deal to learn from the other members of the group and avidly look forward to our monthly meetings.
“They are such a talented group, and so generous with their skills.”
The Llyn Textile Group will be holding and Exhibition and Craft Show in Llannor Community Centre, on August 21, 10am to 4pm, and Natalie will be happy to chat with visitors about her different crafts.