{9/18-10/23} Wool Studies: A Six-Week Felting Course
Course Details
Dates: Fridays, September 18–October 23
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM
Number of Sessions: Six
Instructors: Jennifer Samuelson and Melissa Mott
Ages: Adults 18 and older
Experience: No previous felting experience required
Course Price: $295 per participant
Location: Handcraft Revival, 1365 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City
Supplies: Foundational materials and shared tools are included
Discover how loose wool can become fabric, texture, landscapes, and meaningful works of art in this six-week exploration of wet and needle felting.
Taught by Jennifer Samuelson and Melissa Mott, Wool Studies offers a thoughtful progression through the foundations of felting. We’ll begin by getting to know wool through wet felting, then move into needle-felted pictures, dimensional texture, and simplified portraits.
Each week builds on the skills introduced during the previous session, giving participants time to experiment, develop their ideas, and become more confident working with fiber. No previous felting experience is required.
What We’ll Explore
Throughout the course, participants will learn:
- How wool fibers behave and transform through felting
- The differences between wet and needle felting
- How to safely use needle-felting tools
- Color blending and layering with wool
- Painterly techniques for creating landscapes
- Ways to add texture, embroidery, and dimensional details
- How to simplify a photograph into a felted portrait
- Finishing and mounting techniques for displaying felted artwork
Course Projects
Participants will create a collection of felted studies and finished pieces, including:
- A small introductory wet-felted project
- A flat needle-felted wool study
- A layered wool landscape
- A dimensional or embellished felted piece
- A simplified family, individual, or pet portrait
- Mounted work prepared for a final gallery-style sharing
Projects may vary slightly according to each participant’s interests and working pace.
Week-by-Week Course Outline
Week One: Getting to Know Wool
Explore different wool fibers and learn how moisture, soap, agitation, and pressure transform loose wool into felt. Participants will create a small introductory wet-felted project while becoming familiar with the foundational materials and techniques.
Week Two: Drawing with Wool
Learn how to safely use needle-felting tools while practicing line, shape, color blending, and layering. Participants will create a small flat piece, such as a bookmark, coaster, or wool sketch.
Week Three: Painting a Landscape
Choose a nature photograph or work of art as inspiration and begin translating it into wool. We’ll explore composition, color selection, layering, depth, and painterly effects.
Week Four: Texture and Dimension
Continue developing the wool landscape while experimenting with raised needle-felted details, embroidery stitches, felted beads, and other textural elements. The piece may also be lightly wet-felted to bring the layers together.
Week Five: Portraits in Wool
Using a family photograph, pet photograph, or another meaningful image as inspiration, begin creating a simplified felted portrait. The emphasis will be on capturing recognizable shapes, colors, posture, and personality rather than creating a highly realistic image.
Week Six: Finishing and Gallery Gathering
Complete the portrait, add finishing details, and mount the portrait and landscape pieces for display. We’ll conclude with an informal gallery-style gathering where participants can share their work and reflect on the progression of their skills.
What’s Included
Registration includes:
- Six 90-minute course meetings
- Instruction from Jennifer and Melissa
- Foundational wool and felting materials
- Materials for mounting finished work
- Access to shared felting tools
- Shared embroidery and embellishment materials
Participants may choose to purchase additional wool or specialty materials from the Handcraft Revival market if they would like to expand their color palette or personalize a project further.
What to Bring
Before the landscape and portrait sessions, participants will receive guidance for choosing and bringing appropriate reference photographs.
Please bring reading glasses if you use them for close work. These are also availble for purchase in the shop. All other foundational tools and materials will be available during the course.
Additional Notes
- Registration is for the complete six-week course; individual drop-in sessions are not available.
- Each meeting builds on the skills and projects introduced during previous weeks.
- Participants may occasionally wish to continue working on their pieces at home between meetings.
- Guests may park directly behind the Handcraft Revival building or along the street. Please do not park in neighboring parking spaces or residential parking areas along the alley.
- Cancellations made at least one week before the course begins are eligible for store credit. Within one week of the first meeting, registration may be transferred to another participant but is nonrefundable.
Pairs well with
Class registrations are nonrefundable.
If you cancel at least one week before the class, we will issue store credit for the amount paid.
If you cancel within one week of the class, we cannot offer a refund or store credit, but you may transfer your registration to another person.
Please contact Handcraft Revival as soon as possible if you need to cancel or transfer your seat.
If Handcraft Revival cancels a class or event, you may choose between a full refund and store credit.
Street parking is available around the shop. Please allow a few extra minutes to find parking and arrive before class begins.
CLASS FAQs
Do I need prior experience?
Most classes are beginner-friendly unless the listing says otherwise. Each class page includes information about the intended skill level and any experience you’ll need.
What is included with registration?
Each listing explains which materials and tools are included. If you need to bring anything or purchase additional supplies, that information will be clearly noted.
What ages can attend?
Age guidelines vary by class and are listed in the class details. Some adult classes welcome younger participants when accompanied by a registered adult. Please contact us before registering if you’re unsure whether a class is a good fit.
How do I register?
Advance registration is required unless the event is specifically described as a drop-in gathering. Your seat is reserved once checkout is complete and you receive a confirmation email.
Can I register more than one person?
Yes. Please purchase one seat for each participant unless the listing states otherwise. When possible, include each participant’s name during booking.
What happens if Handcraft Revival cancels a class?
If we need to cancel a class, all registered participants will be contacted directly and offered a refund or store credit.
What if a class does not meet minimum enrollment?
Handcraft Revival and the instructor will decide together whether to proceed. If the class is canceled, registered participants will be contacted directly.
Where should I park?
Street parking is available around the shop. Please allow a few extra minutes to find parking and arrive before class begins.
What if I arrive late?
Please arrive a few minutes early so class can begin on time. If you’re running late, contact the shop when possible. Because many classes begin with important demonstrations or safety information, we may not always be able to restart missed instruction.
Are classes accessible?
Yes. We want our classes to be as welcoming and accessible as possible. Handcraft Revival has a ramp at the entrance and an accessible restroom. If you have any other mobility, sensory, learning, or accommodation needs, please contact us before class so we can discuss how best to support your participation.
Can I bring food or drinks?
Covered drinks are welcome unless a class listing says otherwise. For longer classes, the listing will let you know whether to bring a snack or meal.
Photos and short video clips may be taken during class for Handcraft Revival’s social media and marketing. If you or your child prefer not to be photographed, please let us know at arrival. We are happy to accommodate your preference.
