Please Dress Matilda

As we have mentioned, we really need your help to make the Convergence Fashion Parade a success.

We have the auditorium, photographer, models and music but only 49 attendees have so far  indicated that they will be providing garments for it! We need you to bring your creations to make this a fabulous night of fashion.

You don’t need a complete outfit to participate. Remember that accessories are the key to fabulous dressing so please bring your scarves, bags, hats and wraps. These will all create amazing looks for the catwalk.  There is no limit on the number of pieces you can enter into the Fashion Parade so pack plenty as the more pieces there are the bigger and better the event will be.   Don’t be shy, this is your fashion night so be part of it.
We really don't want to hear those dreaded words "my stuff's not good enough".  So be confident in your creations; you will be so pleased you participated when you see your things out out on the catwalk.
 You can model your own garment or have it paraded by the models that we will be providing. 

Matilda will be so pleased to have something to wear.

Blocks by Design

We have been overjoyed by the generosity of so many of you during the run up to the Convergence and we would like to express our appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the event by providing donations of goods which we will use in participants "goody" bags and for prize draws.

We were particularly  delighted to open up a package sent to us by Doug Osbourne of Blocks By Design and find this amazing hat block -

Blocks By Design - Evenly Curved Multi Piece Block

We felters are all keen hatters and a good hat block is a must if you want to achieve a professional result.  If you have ever considered getting your own block then look no further than Blocks by Design.  They have the most amazing range of blocks we have ever seen and will also design one specifically to your needs.  Just browsing through Doug's website makes us get deep into the art of millinery.

Their motto is "to help you create your dream".  Well Doug, you certainly live up to it by helping us to create our dream Felting Convergence.

The fabulous Blocks by Design hat block is worth $270.00 and one lucky  11th Southern Hemisphere Felt Convergence attendee will walk away with it.

The block will be proudly displayed at the Convergence so make sure you have a good look atit and admire the high quality. 

In the meantime pop over to the Blocks by Design website and start deciding on what block to order.   

Then get creating.

Hidden Love by Jacqueline Gibson

We have added their website to our Felt Network over on the right hand side bar so that you can find them easily in the future.

Thanks again Doug.

Meet Carole

Some of us recently did a workshop with Carole Redlich  a talented textile artist who now lives in Alvie, Victoria.  (Previously she lived here in WA and used to work at the Thread Studio).

Carole's "Shadow Lands"  workshop was all about creating sculpture from fishing lines and translucent plastics -

One of Carole's intricate translucent sculptures

Yes, it's the exact opposite of felt, but of course we immediately spotted Carole's stunning felt jacket -

Turns out Carole is a keen felter and loves to create in this soft dense opaque medium too.   

Jacket Detail



She's recently been exhibiting some of her felt wearable art creations and has kindly shared the following pictures with us -

Outback Tracks

Outback Tracks jacket detail

Red Rocks Reserve Dress

Felted Flowers Jacket

Felted Flowers Detail

Cut Back Shawl Detail

Wedding Vest

Looks like next time we will be booking a felting workshop with Carole.  She's an experienced machine embroiderer too and combines these techniques as you can see, to make some amazing garments.

Carole says "My work is always developmental. I grow with every new piece I make, I love the stimulation, and challenge of creating a new piece of work and the agony of resolution. I have exhibited widely and love teaching and sharing with others. My workshops are diverse and entertaining, covering a wide range of topics (experimental stitch, felting, wire jewellery, pattern stitching and laminating plastics to name a few!). There is always a new adventure around the corner and a new red herring to follow"!

We had great fun in her Shadow Lands workshop and have no reservations in recommending  her as a tutor.  Her website www.caroleredlich.com  is not operating at the moment but if you want to get in touch with Carole email her at  carole.redlich@aapt.net.au.

Art Bras

This bra is the creation of Margaret Kelly, a very talented machine embroiderer who has utilised her skills in creating this gourmet breakfast celebrating Perth ABC radio's breakfast presenter Eoin Cameron.

Eoin's promotional blurb says "Breakfast with Eoin Cameron on 720 ABC Perth is the best way to start the day" and Margaret sets the scene with this hearty calorie laden order of eggs, beans and sausage -

washed down with a cuppa,

 the morning newspaper and  all served up on a gingham tablecloth.

This  “Celebrity Art Bra” was created and auctioned to raise funds for the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Breast Cancer Survivors Project .

Art Bras

Here's the third  in our series of “Celebrity Art Bras” to raise funds for the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Breast Cancer Survivors Project .

This bra was created by fabulous felter - Lorraine McArthur using her favourite colour turquoise which is entirely appropriate as the bra represents Taj Burrow the young West Australian surfing professional.

 Lorraine is entirely in her element and having great fun with the ocean being a major part of the theme.

She's really brought the surfing figures to life.

Wouldn't you just love to have Taj and his friends hanging ten over over your chest!!!

Art Bras

Second in our series of  “Celebrity Art Bras” to raise funds for the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Breast Cancer Survivors Project here is the bra created by Convergence Convener - Val Hornibrook.

It was created for Jackie Happs of Happs Winery and is made of felt.

Felt Rose

Felt balls make great grapes

Val's felt vessel making skills have been put to great use here.

It's as beautiful as a glass of Happs wine.

 

And Now Some Felt

Things have been a bit wordy lately on the blog.  We don't apologise for this because its purpose is to communicate on all the Convergence matters but we know you also like to see some great felt.

So to add some colour here's a great felt bag.

Designer - D Palmer

Bag Detail

Bag Detail

And Now For Something Different

Earlier this year a “Celebrity Art Bra” event was held to raise funds for the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Breast Cancer Survivors Project.

As we all have friends and family that have been affected by the disease The Bunbury Felters were keen to get involved and create some art bras for the event.

A celebrity was chosen for each artist to create a “bra” for.  You will see why we have used inverted commas around the word bra as we show you the bra art in the weeks to come.

The  bras are not all felt but they are all fun and fabulous so we know you want to see them.  Keep looking in at the blog to see them appear from time to time.

Our first bra was created by designer Jean Braund.  Her celebrity is Don Hancey - one of Western Australia’s most dynamic and innovative chefs known for his simple, yet brilliant, ability of pairing regional produce and premium Australian wines. Hi is a key supporter of the Chefs Long Table lunch events which to raise money for local charity each year.

Jean has captured the essence of Don in this mixed media creation.

The "cups" are baking tins of course.

All topped with a fish on a baking tray.

And this is how it looks on –

Don’t you wish you had a waist like that?

South West Fashion - Art to Wear Organic Fashion

The show is over.

Photo Toni C

We hope you enjoyed our fashion show. We certainly had fun and loved creating all the felt that you have seen on the beautiful models. 

A big thank you to all the gorgeous girls, to the hair and makeup artists, to our wonderful photographers - Toni C and Lyn Pix, to the Bunbury Felters for creating the garments, to Kerry Gelmi for organising us and to the fabulous team at Southwest Fashion Festival .  We couldn't have done it without you.

South West Fashion - Art to Wear Organic Fashion

Every good fashion show ends with a finale of bridal or evening wear and ours was no exception. 

This beautiful evening dress by Genevieve Snare who designs under the label Ingenue, is enhanced by a sculptural neck piece created by Kerry Gelmi.

And on these cold winter evenings a warm out layer is required.  Another dress by Genevieve Snare under the label Ingenue covered with this glamorous cloak by Val Hornibrook. 

All photos Lyn Pix

South West Fashion - Art to Wear Organic Fashion

This gorgeous nuno scarf is by Val Hornibrook

As you can see this piece is large enough to truly transform the classic black dress which is what the power of good accessories is really all about.

The precise lines illustrate Val's skill.  They are not easy to achieve as we felters know all too well.

All photos Toni C

South West Fashion - Art to Wear Organic Fashion

The winter season is now upon us and the mornings and evenings are definitely cold so this dramatic coat is just what we need.

Photo Lyn Pix

It's by designer Lorraine McArthur who is a very talented felter and produces lovely smooth even felt. 

Photo Toni C

Photo Toni C

Lorraine is also extremely good at working with colour as you can see.

Photo Toni C