Hi this is Ian Poole. The blog posts on this site are mostly by Barbara, but I'm doing something a little different today. We've got an interview here with Christine Liu about one of the classes Barbara recently taught on Felted Slippers. Christine is a writer, and editor based in boston and works and has worked at the Weekly Dig, the Boston Globe, the Daily Candy, and Boston Magazine.
BFelt: Â Â Â Â Â Â What experience do you have in fashion?
Christine:   I follow fashion a lot. Fashion theory, clothes and what they signify. Not design or anything, but more social and cultural aspects.
BFelt: Â Â Â Â Â Â Have you ever taken any classes before in making clothing?
Christine:   I've taken a couple of sewing classes, and I have knitting experience. I really don't have any room where I live to do anything except sleep and eat.
BFelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â What were your assumptions before you took the class?
Christine:   I have been to the gallery, but I've never taken one of their classes. I didn't have any idea. I knew what felt was, though. Before I went, I thought "What are we gonna do for 5 hours". I did not know what I was going to do. I knew I would learn a skill that would be interesting
BFelt: Â Â Â Â Â What did you think of working with felt?
Christine:   I loved it.  If I'd known I'd was going to get covered with warm soapy water I would've worn less nice clothing. I loved the hands-on aspect. I don't think there could be room for more people. There was just enough space. The one thing I would suggest is just a little outline of what is going to happen. I would have liked to know what the process was going to be before, so I could choose colors, but it might have been a blessing in disguise, because I would have agonized over the slipper.
BFelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â How do you feel about the slipper that you created?
Christine:   I think they're adorable. They're so comfy. When I show people, they're like "you made those??". It's nice to have something I invested myself in. I feel like as far as the seasonality, and the recession, it seemed like a very timely class.
BFelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â How'd you feel about the level of attention you were given in the class?
Christine:   I think it was great. I ducked out to get a sandwich, and Barbara had finished layering the wool. It was great to have the assistance. I was impatient and she came over and helped me out.
Bfelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Do you think you'd ever want to make somethng out of felt again?
Christine:   It really transforms the object that [is made]. I've seen hand-made felt dresses, really simple minimalist cuts, futurist/primitive things going on. If I had a whole weekend, maybe. Maybe make weird little creatures.
BFelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Anything else you'd like to say?
Christine:Â Â Â It is really fun to do, sort of like a vacation, but you invest in your own little creativity pod. Â
BFelt: Â Â Â Â Â Â What experience do you have in fashion?
Christine:   I follow fashion a lot. Fashion theory, clothes and what they signify. Not design or anything, but more social and cultural aspects.
BFelt: Â Â Â Â Â Â Have you ever taken any classes before in making clothing?
Christine:   I've taken a couple of sewing classes, and I have knitting experience. I really don't have any room where I live to do anything except sleep and eat.
BFelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â What were your assumptions before you took the class?
Christine:   I have been to the gallery, but I've never taken one of their classes. I didn't have any idea. I knew what felt was, though. Before I went, I thought "What are we gonna do for 5 hours". I did not know what I was going to do. I knew I would learn a skill that would be interesting
BFelt: Â Â Â Â Â What did you think of working with felt?
Christine:   I loved it.  If I'd known I'd was going to get covered with warm soapy water I would've worn less nice clothing. I loved the hands-on aspect. I don't think there could be room for more people. There was just enough space. The one thing I would suggest is just a little outline of what is going to happen. I would have liked to know what the process was going to be before, so I could choose colors, but it might have been a blessing in disguise, because I would have agonized over the slipper.
BFelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â How do you feel about the slipper that you created?
Christine:   I think they're adorable. They're so comfy. When I show people, they're like "you made those??". It's nice to have something I invested myself in. I feel like as far as the seasonality, and the recession, it seemed like a very timely class.
BFelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â How'd you feel about the level of attention you were given in the class?
Christine:   I think it was great. I ducked out to get a sandwich, and Barbara had finished layering the wool. It was great to have the assistance. I was impatient and she came over and helped me out.
Bfelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Do you think you'd ever want to make somethng out of felt again?
Christine:   It really transforms the object that [is made]. I've seen hand-made felt dresses, really simple minimalist cuts, futurist/primitive things going on. If I had a whole weekend, maybe. Maybe make weird little creatures.
BFelt:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Anything else you'd like to say?
Christine:Â Â Â It is really fun to do, sort of like a vacation, but you invest in your own little creativity pod. Â
That's all for today. Â Unfortunately, Barbara didn't get to complete the last class yet because of the snowstorm. Â But once she does, she'll be back up here with pictures of the class and tips and tricks on how to use felbi batts.
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