Nuno felting: Combining several layers of loose fibers, usually wool, into loose weave, organic textiles to create a lightweight and durable fabric.
Learning
Fifteen years ago, Susan Stevens learned the art of nuno felting from her sister Trishia at a local workshop. She learned how to use tensile silk and unspun merino wool, called roving, to create felted fabric. Stevens enjoyed the process of creating and transforming textiles into something more beautiful and unique.
“The basic process of nuno felting starts with selecting an organic fabric and laying it out flat,” Stevens explains. “Then you take the roving and lay it out in a thin strip. Then you fold the fabric over top of the roving. Next you saturate the fabric with water and soap and use your hands to agitate and rub the material together. This technique bonds the fabric and roving together. After agitating, you open the fabric up and rub your hand across roving to make sure all the roving is bonded. Once completely bonded, you rinse the fabric until all the soap is gone.”
Teaching + Creating
A few years after learning the technique, Stevens, who was working as a physical education teacher, was approached by a colleague who wanted to learn. Shortly after that, they went into business together, making and selling nuno-felted scarves through a local boutique and at home shows.
“The name Amici was chosen because it means friend in Italian,” Stevens says. “My business partner is Italian and it just fit. Every creation has an “Amici Star” felted into the fabric as a signature of authenticity.”
One-of-a-Kind, Wearable Art
After three years, Susan’s business partner took a job as a principal and didn’t have the time to devote to their creative side gig. Stevens continued and found a space at Eclectic CO., an artist co-op, where she sold her felted scarves and shawls alongside various accessories like hat bands and headbands. She also started selling at local summer markets, which introduced her scarves to larger base of potential customers.
Susan now exclusively sells her scarves at various markets, the International Quilt Show in Oregon, and in-person shopping at her home. Her Instagram is the best way to contact her and find out where her next market will be.
“I am now retired from teaching and I have so much fun with this business,” she says. “It keeps me busy and I create one-of-a-kind wearable art. I just love what I do.”
Website: https://www.amiciscarves.com/
Instagram: @Amici_Scarves_Susan