Aston Ingham WI members welcomed Kathie Barr to our meeting. Kathie titled her talk and demonstration, ‘The Alchemy of Felt.’ The ‘discovery’ of felt is thought to have happened in Asia where riders riding their horses on sheep skins, for warmth, found that at the end of the ride, the wool had formed into a more solid piece because of the effect of the horse’s sweat, friction and pressure caused by the rider. So, to make felt moisture, friction and pressure is needed.

Kathie then demonstrated by laying a base with a hole in the middle on a cloth, she spread pieces of wool, (2 layers) on the base. Once covered on both sides,  a layer of net was placed on top, water was applied and some liquid olive oil soap, Kathie then put pressure on the whole piece by hand, squeezing out the water. She then placed some bubble wrap on top and rolled up the whole piece, continue to dry out the creation. Then putting her finger in the hole in the middle Kathie pulled the base through and discarded it. There were many creations and Kathie does Workshops teaching felting.

Kathie is very enthusiastic and by the end of the demonstration many members were too.