Process of making my tapestry cape

Such an enjoyable process to work hands on and with something tactile and physical. The method of having a template first and creating shapes allowed for flexibility when arranging the shapes together. it was like playing with a giant fuzzy felt .

Before I had to leave Leeds I bought some felt from Kirkgate Market, but when I decided on the scale of the tapestry I wanted to make (cape sized) I needed to order more. Found this company who specialise in felt for quilting and patchwork - https://www.woolfeltcompany.co.uk/. They sell "national non-woven felt" which were beautifully textured, almost mottled. I'm really pleased with the textured pieces against the flat pieces in the tapestry - I don't think it would've looked as good if I had gone for flat coloured felt all over.
I would've really liked to have tried experimenting with sewing with scraps or quilting or naturally dyeing my own fabric but I didn't have the time to achieve this but its definitely something I'm going to try when submission is over and I have more time to indulge in slow craft because I've really enjoyed it. Sewing felt is really bloody satisfying. pop.

It was interesting on the group show and tell when I showed my tapestry and listening to Matt talking about utilising technology and how I can use it to enhance and help problem solve when it comes to my work and large scale crafts like this. I definitely don't think I could've made this tapestry without having the templates drawn out first - it required a looooot of trial and error and asking for friends opinions before I was completely happy with and start sewing. The beauty in sticking down the pieces with pritt stick first meant that there was still wiggle room as the tapestry evolved, nothing was concrete until it was sewed down - so things could keep growing and moving and dancing