About Karen Stewart
I have been designing and creating with fabric since I was a teenager but being introduced to the ancient art of wet felting in 2015 changed my artistic life completely. I was totally captivated by it’s malleability and limitless boundaries. Colour and texture became the soul of my work. I now sculpt intricate forms inspired by nature. By blending a variety of wools with silk and plant fibres, I translate nature’s complex beauty into detailed, textural wall art and wearable art.
I am a member of the International Feltmakers Association and the Heritage Crafts Association.
My Inspiration
The primary focus for all of my work is texture. Nature offers an endless array of textures to study, from the gnarled, knotted, twisted bark of an ancient oak, to the delicate lace of foam left by receding waves. These are the elements that truly captivate me and provide the starting point for all of my work. Everything I create—from richly detailed wall art to seamless, hand-moulded vessels, bags and scarves—is born from a love of texture.
Depending on the techniques and materials used, there are seemingly endless possibilities for coaxing and manipulating the felt into an array of shapes and textures, but no two pieces are ever the same. The inherent nature of the wool and the felting process used, means the outcome is never entirely within your control. This can be both frustrating and exciting!
My Use of Colour
Wool can be dyed in any colour of the rainbow and it was whilst feltmaking that I suddenly discovered a deep connection with colour. I found colour could influence my mood. It could lift me, energise me, excite me, or even comfort me. It makes me feel happier and more alive! My palettes are borrowed from the ever-changing light of the UK countryside—the fresh lime greens of spring to inspire hope, the deep azure of a summer sea to spark joy, and the rich, coppery ochres of autumn to conjure warmth. Using the wool as my palette, I “paint” landscapes and seascapes, incorporating silk and plant fibres to create the light, shade and atmosphere of the natural world.
What is wet felting?
Wet felting is one of the oldest methods of creating fabric known to man. It is different to the modern needle felting which uses barbed needles to felt the wool fibres. Wet felting uses water, soap and friction (rubbing and rolling). It involves laying out wisps of wool in different directions, sprinkling them with warm soapy water and then gently rubbing and rolling them until all the fibres have completely bonded together. During the process, other fibres and materials can be incorporated, such as silk threads and fabrics to decorate the surface of the felt. Scarves are made in one flat piece, but neck warmers, vessels, hats and bags are made by felting around a resist (or waterproof template) that is then removed part way through the felting process, and gently moulded by hand into the shape you want. This is often called seamless felting or 3D.
The Properties of Wool
Did you know that wool is showerproof and stain resistant? Water, dust and dirt tend to sit on the surface, so if a bag or scarf gets wet in the rain, just give it a shake and the water will fall off. If it gets dirty, the dirt can be easily sponged off, or the whole item gently handwashed in lukewarm water. Wool is also insulating, heat regulating, and hard wearing. If you flatten a wool item or scrunch it up, it will just spring back; it will not crush or crease. And, when felted thoroughly, it is incredibly strong too.
Each individual wool fibre is covered with a layer of overlapping scales and it is these overlapping scales that entangle and matt together during the process of feltmaking to form a firm solid fabric. The water and soap we use opens up the scales, and agitation such as rubbing and rolling entangles the fibres. The more friction that is used, the more the fibres entangle and the firmer the felt becomes. The felt also shrinks by up to 30-50% during this process. And if you have ever put a wool jumper in the washing machine by mistake, you will know that this shrinking effect is irreversible. The fibres felt down so much they cannot be pulled apart again. Thoroughly felted wool will never fray or pull apart.
There are many different breeds of sheep and types of wool. Some sheep produce beautiful fine, soft wool such as Merino and some produce coarse, hardwearing wool like Welsh Mountain or Icelandic sheep. Wools that are fine are used for clothing and other items worn next to the skin, while coarser wools are used for bags, boots, vessels etc as they are more hardwearing and do not pill as much as fine wool, especially when felted very thoroughly.
Where to find me
I recently moved to the wonderful small village of Saltby, which sits between Melton Mowbray and Grantham, and now have my own studio, which is heaven! I am therefore able to offer wet felting workshops from my studio for up to 4 people as well as offering workshops in local art galleries and village halls. If you have a group of people who would like to learn wet felting, please contact me for more information.
