Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 May 2023, Kyrgyz Shyrdak Felting, Appliqué and Stitching with Karin Altmann

Saturday 6 May 2023: from 2 pm to 6 pm GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Sunday 7 May 2023: from 2 pm to 7 pm GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Online workshop, hosted on Zoom by Karin Altmann

Karin Altmann is an Austrian textile artist and researcher and has been teaching in the Department of Textile Arts at the University of Applied Arts Vienna since 2004. In addition, she initiated a number of transcultural projects with international partners from Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, Mexico, Japan, Ghana and Mali as well as art projects with children, people with disabilities, refugees and women in psychological and social needs. She is well known for researching the interconnection between art and spirituality, pursued in her 2015 published book, entitled ’Fabric of Life – Textile Arts in Bhutan’, or her earlier thesis on ’Kyrgyz Felt Art in the Context of Nomadism and Shamanism’. Theory and practise always relate to, extend and deepen each other. Her knowledge and skills in felting were transmitted to her through joint practical work with Kyrgyz women during her research time in Kyrgyzstan. In her own work, Karin Altmann has stepped away from traditional Kyrgyz designs, signs and symbols as she feels they are not her right to use. She prefers a simple graphic expression, bringing her passion for natural dyes to her work.

Workshop outline
Focusing on Kyrgyz traditional felting techniques, Karin will offer two workshops in 2023. This second workshop, Kyrgyz Shyrdak Felting, Appliqué and Stitching, is a felting and hand sewing class. On the first day of the workshop you will learn how to make your own felt. You will produce three pieces of felt that will form the basis of your work. On the second day Karin will teach you how to create a seat cushion (40x40 cm) using the Kyrgyz Shyrdak technique, involving appliqué and stitching. As you practice in this small format, you will dive into the world of Kyrgyz nomadic embroidery and acquire all the knowledge you need to be able to produce a large carpet yourself. During the workshop, Karin will discuss traditional designs and the meaning of patterns and colours. Part mosaic, part quilt, the Shyrdak interlocking patterns create an expressive image, which always carries positive meaning and is deeply connected to the producer’s life and environment. Karin will guide you through the creative process, teaching how Kyrgyz felt art has the ability to create images through which the invisible become visible.

Level of experience:

Suitable for all levels.

If you are looking for new ways to inspire your felting practice, this is a great opportunity.

A material pack will be sent to participants prior to the workshop containing:

• Assorted sheep’s wool
• Instructions (PDF) and the link to a video resource (sent via email)

Additional material list (not provided):

• 2-3 old towels
• Bowl (about 2 liters capacity)
• Vegetable oil soap
• Thick wooden or plastic stick (diameter approx. 3 cm)
• Thick cord
• Scissors
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Sewing threads - matching your felt colours
• Decorative threads such as sashiko thread, handspun yarns etc.
• Embroidery or sashiko needles of different sizes
• Pins
• Scissors for paper and cloth
• Paper, pencil, eraser

Please note: material packs are shipped on an insured, trackable delivery service. Any customs duties, delays, lost or undeliverable packs are the responsibility of the customer. Once a material packs leaves the workshop tutors' hands with a tracking number, the seller has no further obligation to the buyer.

Workshop cancellation policy
All places reserved on workshops are non-refundable.

If you require additional information about this workshop please contact Catherine Harris, events@selvedge.org