Val Hughes has always loved all things 'art and design'. Her passions include history, archaeology and the natural landscape, all of which remain powerful influences over her work. Since graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) in Art, Design and Textiles, and completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Val has pursued and developed her skills in felt making, free machine embroidery and mixed media. She has exhibited her extraordinary work at major shows including International Craft and Hobby Fairs and Twisted Thread. She is a Member of the International Felt Makers Association has been awarded Distinction Status by the Society of Designer Craftsmen for her Anne Boleyn collection. Val has worked as a tutor and lecturer for the Embroiderers Guild and regularly runs workshops and lectures for The Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. Val has worked in numerous educational settings across the UK, and has also worked on community art projects including those for The Woodland Trust, National Trust and Educational Medical Service. Her wearable art collections have been exhibited internationally and appeared in magazines worldwide. Val lives in the Pennine Hills where she continues to develop her work.
This publication is a delight due to a well thought out clear
layout, enhanced by very good photographs. Although the first
section of the book initially appears to be aimed at the novice
feltmaker, there are many useful hints and tips which remind even
an experienced felter of pitfalls and how best to avoid them. The
reafer is given extremely straightforward instructions on how to
make felt by every concievable method - wet, nuno and dry felting.
Clear requirements are given in list format so one could be sure of
knowing what is necessary, and the key guidelines highlight points
to watch out for. The remainder of the book illustrates how the
author has used felt in textile artworks in more practical items
and also in wearable garments. The book follows a project approach
and the reader benefits from an insight into the design ideas
behind the finished collections. The author shares her inspirations
and then , using a step-by-step approach, explains exactly how to
reproduce the work, but this book seems to go further. It is like
having your own personal tutor and following the methodology
explained in the bok, i feel confident of achieving similar
results. All forms of fabric embellishment are used by the artist
and would appeal to any self respecting weaver, spinner or dyer.
The text is interspersed with interesting historical snippets which
aid the enjoyment of the book as one to curl up with and study
*The Journal of Weavers, Spinner and Dyers*
June 2015 If you work with felt and you want to take it to a whole
new level then this book is for you! It's packed full of so much to
take your felting to a whole new level. The book gives you step by
step instructions for everything from wet felting, nuno felting,
needle felting & free machine embroidery. There is so much
information packed in the book. I was amazed at the different
materials you can use to make different affects. I love her use of
colour combinations. The affects she creates are amazing. You can
either create the art projects or she made them into garments. Each
of them has such a unique look and look amazing. I love the beauty
of the projects. The techniques give such a soft and beautiful
look. You really do get to learn so much from this book.
http://www.crochetaddictuk.com/2015/06/felt-fibre-art-book-review.html
*Crochet Addict UK*
July 2015 This is the latest book in ‘The Textile Artist’ series,
focusing on several different felting techniques including wet
felting, Nuno felting and needle felting. The main body of the book
is set out according to five collections of work that Val Hughes
has worked on and developed over the years. It is an interesting
approach, as all have different characteristics in terms of
inspiration, colour and construction. The collections - Water, Snow
and Ice, Anne Boleyn, Abracadabra, Elizabeth Woodville and Alice in
Wonderland - range from flat felted pieces and two dimensional wall
hangings to felted gowns. The basic felting techniques remain the
same but each collection approaches it in a different way,
according to the source inspiration. For example, in the Anne
Boleyn collection, the inspiration comes from the Tudor Rose, and
this is interpreted in a floral design using strong black and red
colours, echoing the connotations this historical figure evokes. A
particular dress ‘Desire’ worked in red and black is slashed and
stitched and reflects the violence of Anne Boleyn’s imprisonment
and final moments. Contrasting with this is the bucolic idyll of
the ‘Abracadabra Woodland Berries’ leafy work in greens and browns
with felted tendrils hanging down.Each of the collections features
a felted dress and these are the showpieces of the book. Creating
felted pieces on such a grand scale reflects the work that has gone
into them and seeing them developed from the initial techniques
makes you realise that the sky’s the limit in terms of what you can
do.
*Workshop on the Web/Quilt WOB*
July 2015 In this latest title in the ‘Textile Artist’ series, Val
introduces us to the ancient art of felt-making. She shows the
inspiration behind her majestic and magical three-dimensional wall
hangings and wearable art, and invites us to share her colourful
passion. Felting techniques are shown in detail and by following
the step-by-step instructions projects from Val’s collections can
be produced. Individual creativity in the form of embellishments is
encouraged, to produce unique pieces of work. A truly inspirational
book; perfect for those new to the craft but also those more
experienced crafters looking for ways to expand their skills. Good
value for money.
*East Kent Embroiderer's Guild*
Here is felt like you have never seen it before and at its most
luxuriant, incorporated into pieces of art. If you have ever wanted
to have a go at felting then this book looks like a good reason to
do it, with the lush photographs of wearable art the author has
created. This is a book replete with the sort of images that
make me want to grab the materials and get creating. Balls of soft
wool in glorious shades, shimmering silk fibers, the sort of
one-of-a-kind garments that are a joy to wear and more tumble out
of the book in febrile profusion. I don’t do felt making myself due
to allergies so I come to the book not knowing about the process
however I feel that it would be possible to start from scratch and
still make something impressive. Find out what you need to buy and
then what can be done with it, including wet felting, needle
felting, free machine embroidery and more. You can also discover
the inspiration behind the author’s creations and work through five
staged projects to hone your new skills. Everything in this book is
accompanied by a profusion of larger than average photographs so it
easy to see what you have to do. Each project is a panel, inspired
by a garment made by the author and although I would have rather
had instructions for garments after making the panels you have
learned enough to tackle a project of your own choosing. Subjects
include fairies, the sea, Ann Boleyn, Elizabeth Woodville and Alice
in Wonderland complete with shots of the author’s sketchbook and a
background to the theme and why it was chosen. This gives a good
insight into how somebody else works which is always interesting
and well done here as it is in connection with such a user friendly
primer. A book for the keeper shelf
*myshelf.com*
August 2015 We explore Val Hughes wall hangings, panels,
wearable art, bags, jewellery and accessories while she leads us
through the history, landscapes and imagination that form her
inspiration. Using simple felt techniques, we learn to use our
hands to make our own incredible textile artwork. With step-by-step
instructions, this is an ideal source of information and ideas for
all textile artists
*Machine Knitting Monthly*
July 2015 Part of the publisher's The Textile Artist Series, this
is another fabulous book. Subtitled 'A practical guide to making
beautiful felted artworks' the book does just that. Tactile,
sumptuous and textured are the words that spring to mind. Discover
what inspires this textile artist. Learn to use felting techniques
to create three-dimensional wall hangings. Clear step-by-step
instructions are given alongside inspiring images of Val Hughes'
art. You'll discover all you need to know to get started. You'll
then find five step-by-step projects to show you the techniques and
enable you to create your own felted art. The purpose of this book
is to show you how to release your own creativity. Val immerses
herself in a creative adventure that involves experimenting with
materials such as wool tops, knitting wools, organza and much more.
She encourages the reader to be adventurous, showing her
inspiration for the projects and leading you through them. The book
offers advice on materials, inspiration, colour and techniques.
This book is useful for any skill level and can be used by people
who have never felted before. The first project is a beach scene.
It shows you how to nuno felt, embellish and add adventurous
threads. It is worked in sections. Val explains how the same method
is used to create one of her stunning dresses. Beautifully laid
out, and photographed, this book is very inspiring. I can see it
becoming a favourite felt book for many.
*Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts*
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