The majority of my work is made using felt, usually with superfine Australian merino wool. Felt is probably one of the oldest known textiles, 3,000 years or more. The felting of wool and other animal fibres is based on a natural process. Heat, humidity and friction cause wool fibres to become entangled so that they can't be separated, the fibres shrink and the result is felt.

Svelte Studio was born of this love of the medium and the endless possibilities it offers.

I have always been interested in the arts from architecture to fashion and discovered the felting world in 2005 after a one day workshop at my local centre on how to make a cob web felt scarf. I have been addicted, excited and passionate about felting ever since. I love to work with natural materials such as wool, linen and silk. Natural fibres are sustainable and biodegradable, so they are good for the planet. They are also great for us as they look and feel good, do not cling to the body and are excellent insulators against both the cold and the heat. 

 I have attended numerous workshops with well-known textile artists but I am largely self-taught. I have won awards for my work and exhibit regularly.

See my Gallery page for examples of my work and details on how to purchase my work are on my contact page. 

"I like to make felt that is very light and airy. I love it when someone asks what my work is made of. The look on their faces when I explain and they realise that felt is not just a thick wool fabric or the fuzzy felt we played with as kids. I enjoy using lightweight materials such as silk organza to nuno felt."

An exhibition piece , a cape made from the natural fleece of the Cormo sheep and Alpaca. It was hand felted using merino wool and with a hand stitched paj silk lining.

Laying out the hand dyed silk fibres onto the base of merino wool and silk fabric.

A multi layered silk organza and merino wool capelet which was hand dyed after the felting process. 

Massaging the wool fibres into the silk organza base fabric.

The Wedding Dress. Made for The Australian Wool Fashion Awards and coming second in the Wedding Dress Section. Minimum wool content of 60%. The dress is a simple strapless gown made from merino wool and silk. The ruffle is double layered merino wool with seed pearls sewn along the edge. The train is sewn onto the ruffle and is made with silk organza and merino wool and silk fibre, again with seed pearls sewn along the edge. The ruffle and train is held onto the dress by the brooch made of merino wool, silk organza, seed pearls and a small amount of handdyed merino in a blush colour. The bouquet, headpiece and fingerless gloves are all made from the same natural materials.

A close up view of a silk organza and merino wool wrap in its natural colour.