2026-08-21 – Raw Felted Fleece
Class Details
- Schedule: August 21 (9:00 am-5:00 pm CT)
- Location: This is an in-person class held at Vesterheim Folk Art School.
-
Instructor: Becky Utecht
- Level of Instruction: Open to all levels
Description
Turn raw fleece into a “sheepskin” chair pad or small rug by wet felting the back. Also known as humane sheepskin, or living pelts, the beauty of this process is that the sheep is still alive and growing more fleece. Plus felted fleece is completely hand washable. The techniques learned in this class can be applied at home later on a full fleece to create larger blankets or rugs. Students will have the opportunity to personalize their work by adding colorful prefelted motifs to the back of their pieces.
Prerequisites
Participants will need the physical ability to stand for an hour or more while they roll and full their wet projects.
Supplies
There will be a $30 materials fee payable to the instructor that Includes wool backing fiber, gauze, colored prefelted wool, felting needle, and instructional handout.
Additional Supplies
Students will be expected to bring the following materials:
- 1 to 2 pounds of shorn fleece (unwashed) with a staple length of
at least 3 inches (the fleece can be loose locks or hanging together
as on the sheep, but not already felted) Students also have the option to purchase fleece from the instructor for $10/lb. - an old bath towel
- a plastic bag to take home wet items.
Enrollment Deadline
July 31, 2026