Pointed tam
felted wool top, hand-knit wool and mohair bottom $82

Peruvian hat
felted wool top, hand-knit wool and mohair bottom including earflaps and ties
$82

Pillow with undersea scene
felted wool pillow cover, cotton back, polyfil pillow form
18" x 18"
$125

Clutch purses
knit from used plastic bags
lined, zipper closure
$45

Type of work: fiber

Business Name: Soft Impressions by Susan Tornheim

I create hand-felted wool material with special attention to color, texture, and shape. Controlling the total process, I dye raw wool fleece, make the felt―incorporating various yarns and other design elements―and then form garments and accessories from the felted fabric. I especially enjoy combining knitting and felting.

Description of work

Using the ancient wet-felting technique to make a wool fabric, I create a variety of felted hats, which I often finish with hand knitting. A line of all-knit wool hats inspired by architect Antonio Gaudi and earbands offer other options to stay warm and dry. Flower pins look great on hats, coats, and sweaters, and stuffed ornaments―such as pine trees, hearts, and houses―can hang anywhere. Pillows, 18"x18", give me a larger canvas to work on. I also create Judaica:  kippot (yarmulkas) and tallitot (prayer shawls), which can be custom designed.

My latest explorations are in using repurposed materials―colorful used plastic bags―to make clutch purses and shoulder bags, which are lined with scraps of upholstery fabric from an upholstery shop.

Price range

$9-$125

Contact information

Phone: (617) 527-3859

e-mail: sftornheim@yahoo.com