Felting
The act of felting is a skill we teach and also a way of creating material for other products we make. Felting wool requires just warm water, soap, friction and repetition, giving us a soft, warm natural fabric through a simplistic, sustainable process. Ideal for our low impact ethos.
Our rugs are made in natural colours directly from the fleece or using naturally dyed wool which can be incorporated into the design. They are durable, hard wearing and an ideal cruelty free option for vegetarians. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to commission a bespoke rug with specific colours, styles, designs or sizes to suit your needs.
Shrouds
A shroud coffin consists of a willow stretcher with integrated carrying handles, a calico wrap with bindings and an enfolding woollen shroud with toggles to attach to the willow stretcher. This environmentally friendly alternative is made from locally sourced materials.
Naturally Useful welcomes anyone to come and make their own shroud. You will be supported by Karen and Amy throughout the designing and making process. This process involves working with raw fleece, picking, carding and layering the fibres, designing and then felting. This can be accomplished in approximately 3 days. Shrouds can be used as beautiful wallhangings until they are needed for their final purpose.
A willow body tray called a Bier can be woven in a day. This is a long standing traditional way of burial. In the past in Scotland, wooden coffins were reserved for the wealthy and the majority of the population would have been buried in warm, soft woollen shrouds.
Shrouds can be created to commission with artwork felted into the upper layer according to your wishes.
A shroud with Bier would start in price from £650 up to £850.
For further information and support for those who wish to consider their options and/ or care for someone at home after they die, please click on the link below which will take you to the Pushing up the daisies charity website.
Linda’s story
"I knew that Naturally Useful made beautiful willow coffins but then I discovered that another option for natural burial is a felted woollen shroud with a woven stretcher. As a spinner, dyer and knitter this immediately became my choice and more so when I found I could make my own in the NU workshop under the expert guidance of Amy and Karen.
Throughout the 3-day process they were always on hand to help design, make and finish exactly what I wanted. There were emotional moments and both were quietly supportive and understanding of my story and what I wanted to achieve.
My husband was so impressed with the outcome he asked me to make a shroud for him while he wove his own stretcher.
If you feel ready to take this step on an inevitable journey I highly recommend talking to Naturally Useful about how they can help."
Linda Henderson
Bespoke
Felt lends itself to making sculptural forms such as bowls, hats, bags and even 3d animals from needle felt. We use felt to create large artistic wall hangings to commission, basket lids, hot water bottle covers, slippers, and many other items. Please just get in touch if you have a specific project to be commissioned or would like to learn how to felt yourself.
