Hanky Panky | Learning to Play with Silk Hankies
A 2 1/2-hour Zoom Workshop with Nancy Ballesteros (Perth, Western Australia)
In this 2 1/2 hour Zoom Workshop we will explore a unique abstract painterly-like method of working with Silk Hankies. If you liked to finger painting as a child you should love this method of working with the silk hankies. Many felt makers first experience of working with Silk Hankies is usually one of frustration. My aim is to transform this experience into creative bliss.
Silk Hankies possess unique properties which create gloriously lustrous and textural surfaces when laminated with minimal amounts of superfine merino and silk fabric. We will explore creating a variety of different visual effects with the hankies. Finishing techniques will be discussed to ensure proper quality felt.
Silk hankies traditionally have been underutilized as a source of silk by felt makers. You may ask “what is so special about a Silk Hanky”? A silk cocoon is spun by a caterpillar as one continuous strand of silk. Each hanky is made from a degummed silk cocoon that has been pierced and stretched over a square frame (resembling the shape of a handkerchief), and then stacked layer upon layer. Hankies have the amazing property of being very strong and behave as a continuous mass, the fibre have not been cut like in a silk top.
A full recording of this Zoom workshop will be made available to you for a period of 6 months from the Zoom date.
Class size will be limited so that I have time to answer questions and help problem solve any felting issues that arise if you choose to participate during the zoom meeting. If you choose to purchase the recording to view in your own time, you are welcome to email/message me with questions.
Price includes free access to a 6-month recording of the Zoom session. Cost: AUD$125.00
