Wet Feltmaking

Wet Feltmaking is a skill that has sustained human communities for thousands of years and represents one of our oldest textile traditions. It is the process of using moisture and agitation to interlock animal fibers into a piece of dense, non-woven fabric (without any warp or weft). Most fabrics are woven or knitted, unlike felt. This ancient technique produces a unique and durable fabric.

In this in-person, hands-on class, you will be led through the entire process of wet feltmaking and will have a finished felted piece by the end of the class. You will learn everything you need to know to get started on wet feltmaking on your own, including knowing each step of the process, how to source local wool, test the felt-ability of various wool, and process and store wool. You will leave the workshop with a basic idea of how to incorporate wet feltmaking into your life in a functional way.

Natural fiber artist and keeper of earth-based practices, Senya, belongs to the Oregon coast, born and raised within the convergence of coastal wetlands and dense coniferous forest. Believing that the regeneration and restoration of the land flows naturally from being intimately connected with place and rooted in community, she is passionate about connecting others with skills that allow for co-creation with one’s local ecosystem. Through these skills, she facilitates pathways for people to develop deep, embodied connections to themselves, each other, and the living Earth, moving from extraction to reciprocity and from consumer to co-creator.

Her main craft is wet feltmaking, a practice she traces back through her Armenian lineage, where the ancient tradition of working with wool and natural fibers has been passed down through generations. This craft is only possible with the combined gifts and efforts of sheep, their caregivers, the lands that support their lives, and the creative energy that moves through the artist. Together in relationship, there is co-creation. Feltmaking is a skill that has sustained human communities for thousands of years and represents one of our oldest textile traditions. Senya’s teaching approach honors the deep lineage of this craft, while making it accessible and relevant for those seeking to reconnect with ancestral ways of making. Students gain the knowledge and confidence to continue feltmaking independently, including the complete wet felting process, how to source and assess local wool, the history of feltmaking across cultures, and how to integrate this craft into daily life.

For workshops taking place at a gathering, there is only a materials fee (sliding scale $0 - $40). ............. For private workshops (not at a gathering), the total cost is a sliding scale fee of $80-$120. This allows you to choose a price that works for you, while still reflecting the high value of the experience. Your fee covers personalized instruction in a small class (up to 6 students), all materials, and a detailed digital guide packed with step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting tips, and fascinating insights into the history of wool and feltmaking. .............