Weaving Wool, Silk, and Spirit
There is a quiet kind of magic in the meeting of fibers. Wool and silk come together through water, soap, and steady movement to create a fabric that is both strong and fluid, structured and soft. In my upcoming Nuno Felted Wearable Art Workshop on May 2nd from 12-3p PT/ 1-4p MT/ 2-5pCST/ 3-6p ET on Zoom (sign up here), we’ll explore this process together through hands-on technique, mindful presence, and the shared experience of making wearable art.
What Is Nuno Felting? A Brief History
Nuno felting is a contemporary textile technique developed in the early 1990s by fiber artists such as Polly Stirling. The word nuno comes from the Japanese word for fabric, reflecting the method’s defining feature: combining fine wool fibers with lightweight, open-weave cloth, most often silk.
During the wet felting process, wool fibers migrate through the silk and bind to themselves on the other side, permanently fusing the two materials into a single cloth. The result is a fabric that is lighter and more flexible than traditional felt, with beautiful surface texture and movement. It drapes, stretches, and responds to the body, making it ideal for wearable pieces like cowls, scarves, and wraps.
Materials as Metaphor: Interconnectedness and Strength in Togetherness
One of the things I love most about nuno felting is how clearly it demonstrates that strength does not always come from thickness or density. It comes from relationship.
Wool is resilient and responsive. Silk is smooth, open, and luminous. On their own, each has beauty and purpose. When they are brought together through friction, warmth, and patience, they transform into something entirely new. The fibers lock into one another and create stability through interdependence.
This process offers a powerful metaphor for community and care. Just as fibers support one another across the weave of the silk, we rely on shared effort, trust, and connection to build strength in our own lives. In making together, we experience how individual contributions become part of a larger, more resilient whole.
Making as a Community of Care
In this workshop, we will approach nuno felting not only as a technical skill but also as a slow, sensory, and collaborative practice. We will begin with a brief grounding exercise to help everyone arrive fully and connect with the materials. From there, I will guide you step by step through layout, wetting, rolling, and shaping as your fabric transforms into a finished wearable piece.
This is a space where:
- Curiosity is welcomed and perfection is not the goal
- Each person can work at their own pace
- Questions, experimentation, and conversation are part of the process
Whether you are new to fiber arts or have prior experience, you will leave with a one of a kind felted cowl or headwarmer and a deeper understanding of how simple materials can come together to create strength, beauty, and meaning.
Join me on May 2nd, 2026
If you are craving hands-on making, connection, and time to slow down with beautiful materials, I would love to have you join us.
Sign up for the May 2nd Zoom workshop via Española Valley Fiber Arts Center:
👉 HERE
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