Ann Welly Revels will present a program on felting flax at the March 28 meeting of the Space Coast Weavers & Fiber Artists: 10 a.m. at the Merritt Island Public Library, 1195 N Courtenay Pkwy.
Flax is the fiber that, once spun, becomes linen. Ann will explain the different uses of flax and how the fiber is processed so it can be spun into linen yarn. She will show how the unspun fiber can be felted using water and pressure. Because the process involves water and is a bit messy, this will be a demonstration, not a hands on workshop.
Ann is bringing examples of sheets of felted flax embellished with a variety of embedded objects, which can be used as paper for greeting cards, jewelry, etc, as well as 3 dimensional containers, strips woven into baskets and even sewn onto clothing.
Ann is an award winning fiber artist who also makes palm skin baskets and handmade paper along with a variety of off loom weaving. She has supported the fiber arts as a founding member of the Space Coast Weavers & Fiber Artists and served as an officer in several local and state Guilds. She was the Florida representative of the Handweavers Guild of America.
Variety and enthusiasm describe the members of the Space Coast Weavers & Fiber Artists Guild. Since 1983 their goal is to explore all fiber arts. Members encourage each other to try new ways of making art with fiber through monthly talks and workshops. In addition to the traditional thread-based crafts, individuals have shared weaving, basketmaking, spinning dyeing, rug hooking and more, using natural materials, metal, paper, and plastic. The guild has satellite groups focusing on rug hooking, spinning, tapestry, and using upcycled materials.
The guild meets the fourth Saturday of each month at the Merritt Island Public Library., 1195 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, from 10:00 am to 1:00 Meetings are free and open to the public.