The Complete Photo Guide to Felting

“The wide parameters of the colorful world of felting will come as a surprise to all but the most experienced felters, who, along with those of novice status, are the audience expert crafter Lane addresses in the large-format, comprehensive guide. Lane offers this basic definition of felting: wool fibers are matted into fabric that historically was used as effective protection against the elements but has become a popular craft for perhaps less utilitarian but certainly increased aesthetic purposes. A presentation of fundamental practices leads the reader to confront and absorb lesson on advanced techniques, with directions by Lane expressed in patient prose and the ample illustrations assisting the text well. The greatly informative chapter “All about Wool” discusses such topics as grading wool and the various “breeds” of wool (which depend on the breeds of sheep from which they are derived). Washing the wool, carding, and dyeing round out the book’s introductory portion, at which point the author imparts detailed information on three types of felting: traditional wet felting, Nuno felting, and needle felting, with techniques and sample projects given careful elucidation. A concluding gallery of greatly creative felted works by an array of artists adds final inspiration. For more encyclopedic treatments of various crafts, see the adjacent Read-alikes column.” – Booklist, December 15, 2012

Ruth Lane is a self-taught fiber artist who loves to ‘play’ with a wide variety of materials including wool, silk, fabrics, yarns, and threads. Creating one of a kind fiber art pieces to share with the world fulfills her creative passion. She has been a member of the Felting Forum - an online forum of 2500 felt makers from around the world - for four and half years and a moderator for three years. A longtime supporter of fine crafts, Ruth co-owns a fine craft gallery, The Purple Pomegranate, which represents more than 180 American artists whose work includes jewelry, ceramics, metal work, mixed media, woodworking, glass art, fiber art, prints and paintings. Ruth has taught felt making, including basic wet felting, nuno felting, making 3D felt objects using a resist, the use of a power sander in felting and dyeing of wool and other fibers for the use in felting. She writes a blog about felting and other fiber arts and has written several tutorials on various felting techniques as well as recurring articles about the elements and principles of design. She lives in Kalispell, Montana.