Artful Repairs

Artist/Instructor: Emma DeBois

Supplies included (*except a sweater) *Participants need to bring a sweater 

Suggestion: A sweater should be twice as thick as a t-shirt and can be hand-washed, made of wool, or any knit material. Cashmere sweaters work well, too!

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In this tactile fiber workshop, participants will learn to needlefelt a design onto a garment and then wetfelt it for durability. We’ll begin by using a barbed needle to tangle wool roving into the fabric until it lies completely flat on one side. Then, we’ll wet felt the design to further bind the fibers together on the inside and smooth and strengthen the surface on the outside. Participants will have the option to use wash-away templates to create designs inspired by nature or participants can create their own and experiment. A wide range of wool colors will be available to choose from. This technique is perfect for repairing holes, covering stains, or giving an old garment new life.

What to bring:
Please bring a garment or piece of fabric to felt on. It should be knit or woven, at least twice as thick as a T-shirt, and able to be hand washed. Wool sweaters are ideal and easiest to work with. Less textured fabrics may take longer for the wool to integrate. Thin materials like T-shirts can develop holes when using the barbed needle, so bring them only if you’re comfortable with potential damage.

Emma DuBois

Emma DuBois is a multimedia artist specializing in needle felting, creating tactile, wearable pieces inspired by the natural world. She grew up in Western New York, where she spent her childhood exploring a wide range of artistic mediums. Her passion for needle felting began with a Christmas gift, a simple kit that sparked what has now become over 14 years of dedicated practice.

In 2018, Emma attended the National Theatre School to study set and costume design, refining her eye for form and texture. She launched her felting business in 2022, where she creates custom commissions, participates in festivals, and teaches workshops. Emma is especially passionate about sharing her craft and inspiring others to discover the creative possibilities of needle-felting.

For further information, please contact Kathy Shiroki: shirokkg@buffalostate.edu