After a fulfilling and enjoyable career as a classroom teacher, author, freelance copy editor and proofreader, I began thinking about taking early retirement, and started looking for a creative activity that would both challenge and fascinate me – and along came wool!
I’ve been fortunate in having had many opportunities to learn and work alongside renowned felt making tutors from all over the globe, and am grateful for their skill, patience and generosity. Every one brings something new to each individual’s experience of felt making, and the inspiration and motivation gained from each workshop are invaluable.
I’m a member of the International Felt Makers Association, and completed my level 2 City and Guild qualification in Design and Textiles (Felt) at Felt in the Factory in 2015, where I now teach workshops. I’ve been proofreading Felt Matters, the journal of the IFA, for 13 years now, and have recently been fortunate enough to take over as editor of that brilliant publication.
One of the other artistic pursuits I enjoy is drawing: I’m married to a fine art painter and in 2001 we were fortunate enough to be able to spend a year in Florence, Italy, studying drawing full time at the Florence Academy of Art.
Kathie Barrs Felt Maker 