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Workshop Calendar

USA: Whidbey Island, Washington 2012:TWO CLASSES scheduled: July 17 - 21 and July 23 - 27

Felt Clothing: Contemporary Sculptural Structures
Seamless felt making produces sculptural effects which drape unlike conventional stitched forms meant to echo the exact shape of the body. How to produce a garment for your shape and design needs will be our focus, although direct fabric-making for garments of stitched construction is another acceptable approach. This will be a five day intensive covering exciting techniques with the target of producing light to medium weight, durable clothing. Beginning with a warm-up sampling of some interesting possibilities participants will move at their own pace to independent sampling and projects. Ideally, students should familiarize themselves with the text Fabulous Felted Scarves (J.Johnson/C.Hagen, Lark Books) and have some felt making experience before the workshop.

Switzerland: Hofstetten 2012: August 6 - 8

Form and Color in Felt Making: Through development of felt "sketches" covering various charismatic motifs showcasing the unique capability of hand felt making. Participants will develop a personal language which will further be translated into an independent work such as a wide belt or beret.
Surfacedesign, Oberflachen gestalten und strukturieren
Der Kurs wird in englischer Sprache abgehalten.

Germany: Oberrot-Neuhausen 2012: August 14 - 18

Mosaic Gypsy Shawls: Overtones, Striking Chords
Wool coordinates beautifully with many lightweight fabrics but coordinating color maybe lacking. We will commence by over-dyeing materials to create a palette of personal color using hot and cold water dyes. Participants are urged to bring cotton, rayon, and silks they love. Creating luxurious shawls and body wraps in harmonious color ranges through techniques of dyeing and felt making will be our goal. Personal design ideas will be encouraged. Course language: English
In diesem Kurs werden Sie in die Farbwelt aus Japan mit ihren einzigartigen Farbtonen- und schattierungen eintauchen. Sie werden Stoffe, Fasern oder im Kurs angefertigte Filze farben und uberfarben, um den Reichtum von unterschiedlichen und gleichartig intensiven Farben aus einem Farbebad zu erfahren. Durch das Uberfarben und Abbinden entstehen mosaikartige Stoffe beziehungsweise Filze, aus denen Schals und Stolas enstehen werden.

USA: Washington D.C. 2012: September 19
12:30 - 4:30 PM

Textile Society of America 2012 Conference: Politics & Textiles
Armbands & Hand Cuffs, Contemporary body accessory through the traditional feltmaking medium

Canada: Vancouver 2012: September 24 - 27

FELTING VISION: Wonderful Felts to Wrap Yourself Up In. The departure point for this class will be examples from Jorie’s co-authored book Fabulous Felted Scarves (Lark Books, USA). Sampling of applicable fibers and various wrap structures, simple fabric dyeing and personal discussion about high quality felting techniques.

Japan: Kyoto 2012: November 22 - 25

Felt Making & Wool Magic Intensive: Part II Shawls and Body Wraps

Japan: Kyoto 2012: April 29 - May 3

Felt Making & Wool Magic Intensive: The 19th annual intensive course for beginners, intermediates and teachers focusing on the fundamental characteristics of the traditional medium. Sampling of various breeds, color and motif experimentation, beautiful beret-making, carpet-making as well as instruction for making your personal equipment will be introduced. Illustrated lectures will be our daily departure point. Always has a waiting list so best to apply early.

Japan: Kyoto 2012: March 8; March 9

Wool Festival "Sheep Palette"
March 8: Body Accessory Ideas: Covering the three important elements in accessory making, Pendant Beads, Badges and Brooches, and Cords. This includes a sheep shearing lesson by Miki-san and use of the raw wool in accessory making.
March 9: Safe and Successful Dye Techniques for Felt Makers: Will introduce various avenues for dyeing wool before, during, and upon completion of felted work. Much more interesting possibilities going beyond purchasing from a hobby shop.

Canada: Vancouver 2011: October 13 - 16

FELTING VISION: Wonderful Felts to Wrap Yourself Up In. The departure point for this class will be a Q&A session with examples from Jorie’s co-authored book Fabulous Felted Scarves (Lark Books, USA). Sampling of applicable fibers and techniques before larger neck wraps are designed and produced.

Japan: Kyoto 2011: Nov 10 - 13

Bag Making Intensive: This is the third annual class covering bags of all shapes and sizes. We will sample bag friendly closures, cord and strap making, pockets and their functions, simple finishing techniques with leather, as well as discussions covering design, function and best choices of fiber. Students with some experience will find this class an excellent practice in the art of classic and eccentric bag development.

The Netherlands: Oldeberkoop 2011: August 2 - 4

Surface Development: Refined & Funky Berets: The difference between a brimmed hat and a beret is like the main course and dessert. The quality of fabric, shape and drape that a beret requires merits special attention. We will design a series of berets, some of which can be subsequently over-dyed to enhance or erase design motif. Consider dip-dye, over-dyeing of design, shaped-dyeing with simple and effective, traditional Japanese tie and dye techniques, as well as color and fiber blending, open cut work, inlay and lamination possibilities as part of the general design process.
Thin, well felted, nicely shaped, unique head toppers will be our goal. Students with some experience in either field will find possibilities to refine their skills from the lessons and visual presentations provided.

The Netherlands: Heemstede 2011: August 9-11

Felt Furoshikis: The Depth and Breadth of Color in Feltmaking Exercises will be introduced to study the depth of color in felt design by graduated design layers, encapsulation and isolation techniques, color and fiber blending skills, as the basis for fabrics and objects. During the first two days participants will make group and solo exercises to be divided among the group members, followed by a three-dimensional surface play. Expect to complete a uniquely personal wrapping cloth or pouch for which a special item or function is fulfilled.

The Netherlands: Oldeberkoop 2011 : August 6 -7

How Color Plays in Feltmaking: This class is based on a series of short group and personal samplings digging deeper under the surface to expose the capabilities of the medium. The depth and breadth of color, including black and white, samples various techniques for expression and control in the medium. The samples will be shared among 3-4 group members and follow a set of printed instructions.

Norway: Skatoy 2011: August 27-29

Inspirations with Jorie Johnson/ Joi Rae Textiles of Kyoto : With Colour, Form and Personalization as our departure point various exercises and surface design motifs will be sampled preparing for the transformation of felt sketches into three-dimensional objects. Course language: English

USA: Harrisville, New Hampshire 2011: September 7 - 9

Refined & Funky Berets and Bags: The difference between a brimmed hat and a beret is like the main course and dessert. The quality of fabric, shape and drape that a beret requires merits special attention. We will design a series of berets, some of which can be subsequently over-dyed to enhance or erase design motif. Consider dip-dye, over-dyeing of design, shaped-dyeing with simple and effective, traditional Japanese tie and dye techniques, as well as color and fiber blending, open cut work, inlay and lamination possibilities as part of the general design process.
Thin, well felted, nicely shaped, unique head toppers will be our goal. A spin off of the circular form will also be the departure point for those of you who prefer to commit your time to bags of all functions. Students with some experience in either field will find possibilities to refine their skills from the lessons and visual presentations provided. This is Jorie's ONLY USA venue this year.

Japan: Kyoto 2011: May 1- 5

Felt Making & Wool Magic: The 18th annual intensive course for beginners, intermediates and teachers focusing on the fundamental characteristics of the traditional medium. Sampling of various breeds, color and motif experimentation, brimmed hat-making, carpet-making as well as personal equipment tips will be introduced. Slide talks will be our daily departure points. Always has a waiting list so best to apply early.