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Karen Stewart Textiles

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Blog

Wet Felting Workshops

Karen Stewart · 9 May, 2026 ·

There is something deeply grounding about working with your hands and natural materials. You start the morning with a cloud of wool and leave with a finished piece of art.

Over the past 4 months, I’ve had the joy of introducing more than 30 new makers to the alchemy of wet felting. We’ve spent hours  layering delicate wool tops, experimenting with raw natural fibers, and finding that rhythmic flow in the final stages of rubbing and rolling to bring their unique creations to life.

One of my favorite parts of teaching is seeing how 10 people can look at the same subject and create 10 entirely different masterpieces. It’s a beautiful reminder that creativity isn’t about following a recipe—it’s about the personal experience, eye and soul that each maker brings to their work.

And there is nothing quite like the ‘I did it!’ moment. Many people arrive at the studio convinced they aren’t ‘the creative type,’ only to leave with a stunning piece they made with their own two hands. Proving to someone that they are capable of creating beauty is the greatest privilege of this job and to hear someone say, ‘I think this is my new hobby!’ Is the most rewarding compliment of all.

Are you ready to unleash your creative talents?

My summer workshops are now available to book:

14 June – Sunset Poppies at Let’s Sew it, Melton Mowbray – 2 places left

20 June – Seascapes at Attenborough Art Centre, Leicester

24 June Evening – Flower Brooch Let’s Sew It, Melton Mowbray

5 July – Small bag workshop , Saltby, Leicestershire – SOLD OUT

19 July – Country Landscapes, Croxton Kerrial Village Hall, Leicestershire

2 August – Art Journal Cover, Croxton Kerrial Village Hall, Leicestershire

15 August – Seascapes, St Mary Magdalene church, Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire

Something for everyone! But do book soon as they are selling out very quickly.

A New Year and New Challenges

Karen Stewart · 3 February, 2026 ·

Have you every reached a turning point in your life where you felt fate was taking you in a different direction? This is what I am experiencing at the moment.

When I was first attracted to felt-making (more than 10 years ago) my desire was to learn how to create strong 3D shapes using just woollen fibres. Bag making and other 3D structures became my passion and over the years I began to felt with stronger and coarser wools such as Icelandic, Norwegian, Finn and several breeds of British Wool. But constant wet felting of coarse wool can take a toll on your body and by the end of last summer, my neck and shoulder muscles unfortunately became severely strained. I had hoped they would settle down again over the autumn and Christmas season but I am still experiencing problems and bag making is no longer an option, at least not for some time, according to my physiotherapist. I am gutted in one respect, as I love to create 3D structures, but I am determined to continue felt making!

Throughout 2025 I began to create more artwork with relief textures, mostly due to my shoulder but also due to demand. My artwork has been well received, and I have found that not only does this require less physical effort but also there are endless possibilities for creating texture and form – just on a smaller scale!

Texture has always been a big part of my work and wool mixed with different fibres and fabrics can create some fabulous effects! After much mental turmoil I have therefore decided that I have to put bag making and wearables aside for the foreseeable future and concentrate on experimenting with texture. Having made the decision, I am now very excited! I adore shibori, creating folds, craters, and other relief textures and have been wanting to delve deeper for some time.

This does mean, however, that I will not be attending any Artisan or Craft fairs until the end of the year as I want to spend time developing some new work, but I will still be running my workshops and hope to develop some new ones based on textural techniques. I will also be involved in several art exhibitions in 2026 and will try to post more of my journey as I go along.

My Latest Workshop – Creating Poppy Fields

Karen Stewart · 4 June, 2025 ·

Teaching others to enjoy the wonders of felt making has become a new passion for me. I take great pleasure from seeing the wonder on people’s faces when suddenly the fibres start to matt together and a picture or a wearable begins to emerge. Many have described the process as ‘wool alchemy’ and I regularly receive comments such as “we never expected to achieve so much!”.

My recent workshop at Buckminster Village Hall was no different. 7 wonderful ladies attended, of whom only one had felted before, but all produced fabulous pictures of poppy fields and were extremely happy with what they had created. See some of the pictures below of the day. It was a relaxing fun day, full of smiles and laughter while experimenting with colour and texture. Unfortunately 2 ladies had to rush off to catch a train and couldn’t stay for the final photo.

Continue ReadinG

New Wet Felting Kits

Karen Stewart · 4 June, 2025 ·

As many people ask about kits when they attend my classes, I decided to create some. My first kit is a lovely wildflower bowl kit. It contains all the equipment and materials you need plus a very detailed instruction booklet. It makes a great gift for anyone interested in felting and is only £28 plus postage.

Wildflower wet felting bowl kit
[Read more…] about New Wet Felting Kits

Upper Broughton Art Show

Karen Stewart · 4 June, 2025 ·

‘Outstanding Creative Ability’

Award at Upper Broughton Art Show

I was astounded, and very honoured, to receive ‘Highly Commended’ in the ‘Outstanding Creative Ability’ category at the Upper Broughton Art Show in May. I also sold 3 pieces!

As I was on holiday in France during the show (gaining more inspiration), I was unfortunately not able to attend in person but the organisers very kindly took my pieces in for me and displayed them. My sincere thanks to everyone involved. I am now looking forward to the next one!

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Contact

Karen Stewart Textiles
Mistletoe Cottage
31 Main Street, Saltby
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE14 4QW

Phone: 07733 335816

Email: karen@karenstewarttextiles.co.uk

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