Emily and Emma
Live Kerrick Stitching
rolling forms
Vance Collab Wall Piece
Vance Collab Layout
felted eggs

K-12 Residencies

Guest Artist Teaching Residency at Fine Arts Center serving Greenville County High Schools
Funded by FAC and FAC pARTners, Greenville, SC
April Dauscha’s 3D Structure Class, March 24-28, 2025

Grateful to have been invited by April Dauscha this past summer 2024 to supplement her Advanced Placement 3D Structure curriculum with Sculpting Hollow Felt Form through the wet felting process. Approval for funding came shortly after the devastating Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024, brightening my outlook with youthful creative energy and income! I worked with 8 students for nearly two hours each day for five days. Students examined a collection of my studies to comprehend the relation of weight of fiber layout to the amount of shrinkage possible that informs the size and structural integrity of the wall of the form. Shapes of partially felted wool were cut and arranged on one side of the template resist with consideration of placement and spacing. Students then explored the delicate and empathetic touch needed for handling the wool fibers for layout on and around the template and the shapes. The layout was then agitated by rolling in bubble wrap where the vibration of hundreds of moving air bubbles coerce the fibers to interlock. Once the template was removed, the hollow form was turned right side out and with gradually increasing water temperature, rapidity of movement and pressure, agitated in the direction of desired shrinkage to raise the hollow form. Students also learned about shearing/shaving to remove the hairs that moved through the partial felt shapes altering the surface colors and how and why one might apply shellac to further stiffen and posture the form.

Chloe Rexroad wrapping wool fibers around the edge of the resist
Chloe Rexroad wrapping wool fibers around the edge of the resist
Miss K's handouts and student image release form surrounded by pieces of partial felt students are using to cut shapes from
Miss K's handouts and student image release form surrounded by pieces of partial felt students are using to cut shapes from
Oliver Lamb's application of thicker shapes of partial felt inspired by teeth
Oliver Lamb's application of thicker shapes of partial felt inspired by teeth
Students agitating their wool fiber encased templates to begin the felting process: (L to R) Anna Cassell, Chloe Rexroad, Mrs. Dauscha, Mary B. Mays, Sariah Caldwell, Caroline Caligan
Students agitating their wool fiber encased templates to begin the felting process: (L to R) Anna Cassell, Chloe Rexroad, Mrs. Dauscha, Mary B. Mays, Sariah Caldwell, Caroline Caligan
Sariah Caldwell inflating the hollow felt form and the form nearly fulled thorugh differential shrinkage
Sariah Caldwell inflating the hollow felt form and the form nearly fulled thorugh differential shrinkage
Anna Cassell inflating the hollow felt form and the form nearly fulled through differential shrinkage
Anna Cassell inflating the hollow felt form and the form nearly fulled through differential shrinkage
Oliver Lamb assessing where and what direction of agitation is needed for the final fulling of the form
Oliver Lamb assessing where and what direction of agitation is needed for the final fulling of the form
Hollow felt forms sculpted by Mary B. Mays (L) and Chloe Rexroad (R)
Hollow felt forms sculpted by Mary B. Mays (L) and Chloe Rexroad (R)
The class's collection of felt forms and Grey Stetar's form
The class's collection of felt forms and Grey Stetar's form
Happy students and teachers lingering after the end of class on Friday: (L to R front row) Anna Cassell, Mrs. Dauscha, Mary B. Mays (back row) Caroline Caligan, Sariah Caldwell, Grey Stetar
Happy students and teachers lingering after the end of class on Friday: (L to R front row) Anna Cassell, Mrs. Dauscha, Mary B. Mays (back row) Caroline Caligan, Sariah Caldwell, Grey Stetar

Guest Artist Teaching Residency at Fine Arts Center serving Greenville County High Schools
Funded by FAC and FAC pARTners, Greenville, SC
April Dauscha’s Stitched Construction Class, March 24-28, 2025

With relocating for the week to guest teach April Dauscha’s 3D Structure Class as described above, it made the most sense for me to also work with the 11 students in her morning class on Stitched Construction. As these students had been focusing on the interlocking lines of the top thread and bobbin thread that constitute a machine stitch in order to bind fabrics, I decided to continue their focus on the line and binding in two separate, but related studies that introduced them all to wet felting a 2D plane and the use of a free-motion/darning foot for stitching. We first made felt while considering the structure and action of a singular filament of wool fiber and its movement through the strata of a cross-hatched layout to bind the wool fibers vertically through rolling. Students learned how to hand card fibers to optically blend colors and develop a complimentary color relationship. Next, students had been tasked to scavenge for linear elements prior to my arrival and we discussed how their material quality, thickness and rigidity would effect the ability for the wool fibers to bind to them as well as the mass of wool fibers to alter and bend the will of the individual linear elements as the wool shrunk. Students learned to drop the feed dogs (responsible for the stitch length) on the sewing machine and use the free-motion foot to allow movement of the fabric 360 degrees in order to dictate the direction of line. They explored stitching on the felt inspired by their altered linear elements and the use of tensioning the top thread to bring up a different bobbin color to the surface. They created long satin stitches vs dense areas of stitching on hooped chiffon fabric backed with a dissolvable stabilizer in anticipation of felting through the chiffon fabric post-stitching. Denser areas of stiched fabric resisted the wool fiber integration creating protrusions while looser stitched lines looped on the surface as the wool shrank below.

Mrs. Dauscha's Fiber Arts Studio
Mrs. Dauscha's Fiber Arts Studio
Max Miller's excellent layout of 4 thin layers of fiber
Max Miller's excellent layout of 4 thin layers of fiber
Exploring the ease of surface integration for linear elements of various materials and the effects of the differential shrinkage of the wool fiber mass and and the lines: (L to R front row) anonymous, Emma Widdows, Luna Tecun, Miss K's demo (mid row) Mrs. Dauscha, anonymous, Liv Kerrick, Brenna Sheehan (back row) Emily Burrell, Max Miller, Hannah Jo Stevens, Calliope Fenske
Exploring the ease of surface integration for linear elements of various materials and the effects of the differential shrinkage of the wool fiber mass and and the lines: (L to R front row) anonymous, Emma Widdows, Luna Tecun, Miss K's demo (mid row) Mrs. Dauscha, anonymous, Liv Kerrick, Brenna Sheehan (back row) Emily Burrell, Max Miller, Hannah Jo Stevens, Calliope Fenske
Liv Kerrick exploring the freedom of movement using a free-motion embroidery/darning foot and stitching in the ditches of the texture created through the alternative material fusion
Liv Kerrick exploring the freedom of movement using a free-motion embroidery/darning foot and stitching in the ditches of the texture created through the alternative material fusion
Mrs. Dauscha's (L) felt altered lines and Miss K's (R) demo illustrating how to use the felt altered line qualities as a suggestion for free-motion stitching
Mrs. Dauscha's (L) felt altered lines and Miss K's (R) demo illustrating how to use the felt altered line qualities as a suggestion for free-motion stitching
Emma Widdow's wool fiber layout and linear element additions prior to felting (L) and Brenna Sheehan's felted linear elements and free-motion stitching in response
Emma Widdow's wool fiber layout and linear element additions prior to felting (L) and Brenna Sheehan's felted linear elements and free-motion stitching in response
Miss K demonstrating free motion stitching and tension wheel adjustements on chiffon supported with a dissolvable substrate
Miss K demonstrating free motion stitching and tension wheel adjustements on chiffon supported with a dissolvable substrate
Miss K's suggested stitching studies with the dissolvable substrate dissolved
Miss K's suggested stitching studies with the dissolvable substrate dissolved
Students dissolving the dissolvable substrate and witnessing the thread buckling from the tension release from the hoop and the shrinkage of chiffon when first wetted: (L to R) Brenna Sheehan, Calliope Fenske, Mattie Atnip, Max Miller, Hannah Jo Stevens, Emma Widdows
Students dissolving the dissolvable substrate and witnessing the thread buckling from the tension release from the hoop and the shrinkage of chiffon when first wetted: (L to R) Brenna Sheehan, Calliope Fenske, Mattie Atnip, Max Miller, Hannah Jo Stevens, Emma Widdows
Max Miller (L) and Calliope Fenske (R) dissolving the substrate
Max Miller (L) and Calliope Fenske (R) dissolving the substrate
Mattie Atnip's free-motion stitched studies
Mattie Atnip's free-motion stitched studies
Mattie Atnip's stitched chiffon fused and altered by the differential shrinakge of the wool fibers and the woven/stitched density
Mattie Atnip's stitched chiffon fused and altered by the differential shrinakge of the wool fibers and the woven/stitched density
Emma Widdow's free-motion stitched studies
Emma Widdow's free-motion stitched studies
Emma Widdow's stitched chiffon fused and altered by the differential shrinakge of the wool fibers and the woven/stitched density
Emma Widdow's stitched chiffon fused and altered by the differential shrinakge of the wool fibers and the woven/stitched density

TAPAS (Teaching Artists Present in Asheville City Schools) Residency
Funded by the Asheville City Schools Foundation, Asheville, NC
5th grade Science Class at Vance Elementary School, April 7-10, 2015

I proposed a TAPAS project that would result in a large wall piece that illustrated the seasonal changes of the NC Dogwood and which would remain on display at a school. Ginger Hubner, director of Roots and Wings School of Art & Design in Asheville and in a position appointed by the Asheville City Schools Foundation to assist in connecting TAPAS artists with schoolteachers, connected me with Brian Ballenger, the 5th grade Science teacher at Vance Elementary School.  Each student would have a hands-on experience working with a partner to felt a sheet of wool fiber to a certain percentage of possible shrinkage allowing for engagement with the biology of the fiber, directional shrinkage and math for measuring and assessing the percentage of shrinkage. Each student was responsible for cutting designated shapes from their felt and contributing them in a communal layout to create a composition incorporating the felted shapes of all 70 5th graders participating. The piece was then backed with silk fabric in various colors celebrating the changes in the height of the sun dependent on the season and then, finally with many layers of wool fiber. This background created a network of fibers that would travel through the layers of fabric and the previously felted shapes when rolled, unifying the components into a singular felt. The piece was then fulled, stretched on a frame and presented to the students during a school open house celebrating the concept of STEAM, the integration of science, technology, engineering, art and math.

The first step is always planning! Sampling colors for the students to use to represent the stems, green leaves and the white leaves of the Dogwood and the density of partial felt from which the kids will cut shapes.
The first step is always planning! Sampling colors for the students to use to represent the stems, green leaves and the white leaves of the Dogwood and the density of partial felt from which the kids will cut shapes.
Bringing the felt studio into the classroom..including all the wool weighed out for the surface area the students will layout and lots of towels!
Bringing the felt studio into the classroom..including all the wool weighed out for the surface area the students will layout and lots of towels!
Getting students to layout two colors in the same felt so that the fibers in the middle are at a consistent thickness was a challenge and so was moderating their soap application!
Getting students to layout two colors in the same felt so that the fibers in the middle are at a consistent thickness was a challenge and so was moderating their soap application!
Making time for clean up and storing of their work between days has got to be part of the plan
Making time for clean up and storing of their work between days has got to be part of the plan
On the second day, students finished rolling until the layers of fibers integrated enough to remove the felt from the bubble wrap to begin 3-D fulling, shrinking the area to 40% remaining of the original area
On the second day, students finished rolling until the layers of fibers integrated enough to remove the felt from the bubble wrap to begin 3-D fulling, shrinking the area to 40% remaining of the original area
The stock of partial felts from which the kids will cut shapes on the third day
The stock of partial felts from which the kids will cut shapes on the third day
A shift to working dry and much more meticulously..such focus to cut out the bulbous tip of the bud!
A shift to working dry and much more meticulously..such focus to cut out the bulbous tip of the bud!
Students working in small groups to arrange their branch pieces in a gradation from widest to the most delicate tips
Students working in small groups to arrange their branch pieces in a gradation from widest to the most delicate tips
The second group in charge of the white leaves (what most think of us as the flowers, are actually a type of leaf with the yellow flowers in the center!) had the special task of laying a plastic resist over all but the center to keep the white leaves from attaching to the background
The second group in charge of the white leaves (what most think of us as the flowers, are actually a type of leaf with the yellow flowers in the center!) had the special task of laying a plastic resist over all but the center to keep the white leaves from attaching to the background
The third group arranged their leaves from the smallest and brightest yellow/green to the largest dark green responding to the design layout of the prior classes...fingers spread like branches and high 5's for the 5th grade!!
The third group arranged their leaves from the smallest and brightest yellow/green to the largest dark green responding to the design layout of the prior classes...fingers spread like branches and high 5's for the 5th grade!!
The fourth and final day, students covered the design with grey and blue silks considering the height of the sun during different seasons of growth and a background of wool fibers that would navigate through the layers connecting all the components into a singular felt
The fourth and final day, students covered the design with grey and blue silks considering the height of the sun during different seasons of growth and a background of wool fibers that would navigate through the layers connecting all the components into a singular felt
The final class of the fourth day began the rolling, which necessitated some coordination of pressure and speed to keep the roll parallel!
The final class of the fourth day began the rolling, which necessitated some coordination of pressure and speed to keep the roll parallel!
Miss Lisa doing some final fulling in the STRONGFELT STUDIO to curl up the white leaves into the third dimension...wish we had had one more day in the school so the kids could do this as the concept of resists was new for the kids!
Miss Lisa doing some final fulling in the STRONGFELT STUDIO to curl up the white leaves into the third dimension...wish we had had one more day in the school so the kids could do this as the concept of resists was new for the kids!
Of course, I had to add a few punches of free-motion embroidery to the center to detail the little yellow flowers
Of course, I had to add a few punches of free-motion embroidery to the center to detail the little yellow flowers
The addition of a label to document those involved in the effort!
The addition of a label to document those involved in the effort!
The presentation of the finished piece at Vance's Open House offered a chance for the proud students to describe the process to parents!
The presentation of the finished piece at Vance's Open House offered a chance for the proud students to describe the process to parents!
The stretched felt on a three inch deep frame created a wonderful effect of the blossoms curling over the edge and several sitting on the top edge. The piece will be displayed permanently in the hall of the school! photo credit: Steve Mann
The stretched felt on a three inch deep frame created a wonderful effect of the blossoms curling over the edge and several sitting on the top edge. The piece will be displayed permanently in the hall of the school! photo credit: Steve Mann

Founders Memorial Elementary School, Essex Junction, VT, 3/29-4/8/2010

While offering a felting workshop at the Northeast Fiber Arts Center, the owner, Jennifer Hoag, knowing that I worked with kids, introduced me to Founder’s Memorial Elementary School’s art teacher, Kerin Rose. Kerin and I worked together to propose a teaching residency at the school and the PTO funded my two-week residency. Working with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, each student felted a symbolic egg that incorporated a piece of silk fabric on which I had free-motion embroidered their full name to represent their person. Students brought foods such as grains, beans and seeds from home, which they used to fill their hollow egg forms as a representation of the nurturing they receive from their immediate family. Students implemented basic stitching to close the form and secure the contents of their egg. The students then assisted me in covering a 2-D resist with wool fiber, which was rolled flat and then fulled into a 3-D nest representing the larger school community that further supported the development of each child. Students wove locally harvested branches as well as random materials they gathered from their locality into the holes created in the nest to represent the even larger community and environment outside their school. Each grade had their own nest to place all their eggs, which were then temporarily installed in trees on the school property and more permanently exhibited in the school.

Preparing materials for different grade levels with the help of my little friend Elspeth whose dad, Dave Davidson, assisted in documenting the residenc
Preparing materials for different grade levels with the help of my little friend Elspeth whose dad, Dave Davidson, assisted in documenting the residenc
Demonstrating the gentle agitation needed to coerce the wool fibers through the students' silk name tags to secure them to the surface of the felt skin
Demonstrating the gentle agitation needed to coerce the wool fibers through the students' silk name tags to secure them to the surface of the felt skin
Students gently clasping their fiber covered balloons for the first dip in soapy water
Students gently clasping their fiber covered balloons for the first dip in soapy water
Gently passing the egg back and forth between their hands to begin the integration of the exterior wool fibers
Gently passing the egg back and forth between their hands to begin the integration of the exterior wool fibers
Dropping the felted eggs into a rinse bucket
Dropping the felted eggs into a rinse bucket
Each class worked in an identifying color because there were ALOT of egg
Each class worked in an identifying color because there were ALOT of egg
Students used a funnel or a cake decorating tip to assist in filling their hollow eggs with seeds, grains and beans after removing the deflated balloon...then came the stitching up of the hole!
Students used a funnel or a cake decorating tip to assist in filling their hollow eggs with seeds, grains and beans after removing the deflated balloon...then came the stitching up of the hole!
Quite a crafty kid myself in elementary school, I underestimated the challenge of stitching and so this activity kept me on the move untangling knots!
Quite a crafty kid myself in elementary school, I underestimated the challenge of stitching and so this activity kept me on the move untangling knots!
Something so fascinating about watching little humans in such deep concentration!
Something so fascinating about watching little humans in such deep concentration!
Some students' stitches were meticulously spaced, while others interestingly haphazard!
Some students' stitches were meticulously spaced, while others interestingly haphazard!
Students learned of another means for making hollow form by covering a 2-D resist to make the large nest forms
Students learned of another means for making hollow form by covering a 2-D resist to make the large nest forms
Students weaving locally harvested branches in and out of holes in the nest as mother birds work twigs into their nest with their beaks
Students weaving locally harvested branches in and out of holes in the nest as mother birds work twigs into their nest with their beaks
Students also collected random materials from their environments outside of school to incorporate into the nests
Students also collected random materials from their environments outside of school to incorporate into the nests
Each of the grade levels had their own nest to contain their eggs
Each of the grade levels had their own nest to contain their eggs
A temporary outdoor installation in the school yard prior to a more permanent installation in the school's library
A temporary outdoor installation in the school yard prior to a more permanent installation in the school's library

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