Fabric Creations in Nuno Felting and Silk Dyeing
All levels
August 5-8, 2025
Fee: $525
CAW is excited to have another Fabric Creations Workshop with Linda Caperton continuing her instruction on Nuno Felting with the addition of Silk artisan, Sandy Hopper, teaching the silk dyeing process. They will teach you the techniques of silk dyeing (painting) and wet felting (nuno felting). Together they will guide you through the exciting processes to make these fabrics into wearable art. The fabric being created is all about YOU, your colors, and dance between artist, dyes and fabric. You will take home your works of art!
Day 1 will be an introduction to the silk dyeing process with stretching and dyeing demonstrations. Explore, experiment with silk, using different brushes, tools, dyes, resists and color mixing. This is a hands-on, practice morning. After lunch we’ll review the morning. then stretch, prep and dye! Each student will complete two pieces of silk fabric to be used in the Nuno sessions. Maybe we will take a step into Sumi-e, Japanese brush painting.
Day 2 will provide a more in-depth discussion on design, color mixing and brush work. Using the silk samples from yesterday, you will explore mixing colors by applying wet dyes onto dyed dry silk and learn techniques of the layering of dyes using soy wax as a resist – thus creating complex surface designs with the ease of Sumi-e brush work. By afternoon, the yardage from Tuesday will be ready to have dyes set. Each student will follow instructions to set the dyes on their own pieces. As we finish the dye set process students can return to their silk samples and continue to explore, experiment and expand their knowledge. Then we’ll move on to an overview of the processes that students have used and a show and tell of finished pieces to open your creative doors to possibilities.
Day 3 will start with a wet felting demo by using our previously dyed silk scarf from days 1 and 2. After laying out our materials that include silk scarf, merino wool, prefelt wool, yarn and more silk, the principles of design and color will be discussed. The demo will show the wetting out of our materials and combining them through fulling and felting. The end result is a one piece “nuno felt” wearable art scarf. Discussions will include how the felting process happens and how to care for your scarf and poncho.
Day 4 will start with a demo on how you construct and lay out a nuno felted poncho (dyed from days 1 and 2.) Using our silk, merino wool, yarn, prefelt wool, and more silk. Next, we will “wet it out” using soapy water and manipulate the fibers together, felting and fulling the poncho. Rinse, stretch and lay flat to dry. We will discuss care instructions. The result is a one of a kind nuno felted poncho you can easily wear and enjoy.
Sandy is passionate about the process of painting on silk…. the dance between self, the silk and the dyes. It has taken Sandy years to learn the patience needed to achieve the results she visualizes. She continues to evolve as a creative soul always looking to try new and different techniques, intertwining new skills and knowledge with familiar methods. It is the vibrancy of the flowing color and luminosity of silk that holds her captive to this art form. Complex pieces include the painted silk and added felting (Nuno silks).
She opened Grasshopper Silk Studio, in Elephant Butte NM in 2005 and was invited to join the New Mexico Fiber Arts Trails in 2006. She has exhibited her art and conducted numerous workshops at her studio, statewide and abroad. You may see more of her work at ant@grasshoppersilk.com, www.grasshoppersilk.com, grasshoppersilk.blogspot.com/
Linda began her art journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Radford University, Radford VA. Linda’s work has included floral design, interior design or anything to do with being creative. Watercolor has been her passion for more than 30 years, painting southwest landscapes and churches.
Fiber art includes dying her own silk, Nuno felting and eco botanical printing, which involves taking real leaves/flowers and printing them onto fabric/garments. This work has kept me busy for the past 20+ years.
Linda is inspired by design and color to make women look and feel beautiful. “The southwest gives me light and inspiration to be creative with my work. My philosophy is “just do it!” And have fun!”
See her web site at https://altoartists.com
She will bring all the materials needed for you to learn how to create your own.
