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Post by joysjoys on Oct 30, 2016 22:32:25 GMT
I am a novice felter, but very adamant about learning all I can. I made a 3 layer superfine merino scarf. It is stiffer than I thought it should be. To full after rolling, I throw into my sink. Can I do this too many times? Is that why it is not as soft as I had hoped?
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Post by halay on Oct 31, 2016 4:35:40 GMT
Probably you made too many layers (two realy very thin would be enough). Throwing into a sink is OK to make it shrink (this is what I do when I make a nuno felted piece) otherwise kneading and rolling felt on a roll against itself (without any plastic wraps in between will do). I remember my first scarves were also very thick and stiff. So just go on and experiment further.
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Post by jwugg on Oct 31, 2016 7:06:17 GMT
For something wearable, you do need to full it well so it doesn't ' bobble' so much. I love to throw but it does sometimes make the piece distort, rolling it on itself is a bit gentler & keeps you more in charge of the shrinkage direction.
As Nada said, try 2 layers next time, as you get more experienced you will be able to lay thinner, even layers.
Keep playing!
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Post by joysjoys on Oct 31, 2016 16:56:27 GMT
Thank you for your help. PLAY I WILL! I can't seem to get enough of this. I am making 1 nuno scarf a weekend, and just branched out to men's scarves...my husband and son will be my guinea pigs. I remember before throwing it in the sink how soft and pliable it was. Next one will be less layers.
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Post by MTRuth on Oct 31, 2016 19:00:49 GMT
As the felt shrinks, it will always thicken and stiffen. That is the purpose of fulling. As Jill says, if you don't full wearables all the way, they will pill and won't be durable. So the trick is definitely in the layout. Do a couple of smaller samples with different numbers of layers and see what the difference is after fulling.
When I want very fine layers, I lay the end of the roving down, place one finger over the very tips of the fiber and pull the roving away from my finger. Then I move the roving to the next spot and repeat. This gives very fine layers of wool that you can just barely see.
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Post by joysjoys on Nov 2, 2016 19:03:03 GMT
Thank you Ruth. I believe my idea of a "thin, fine" layer may not be quite as fine as it should be. I will try this over the weekend.
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Post by MTRuth on Nov 2, 2016 19:39:22 GMT
Let us know how it goes  |
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Post by zed on Nov 3, 2016 11:11:32 GMT
I think I did a bit of dropping rather than throwing when I made felt scarves, and some squeezing while rinsing before rubbing on bubblewrap. I only did two layers of 18.5 mic Merino. It is hard to adjust the fineness of layers, especially if you're also using a finer wool |
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Nov 3, 2016 13:26:04 GMT
The only time this "hard thickened felt" happened to me when using merino was when I used a pre-made batt with layered merino. I could not control the layers. A good reason to lay the merino roving on your own!
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Post by joysjoys on Nov 9, 2016 1:08:21 GMT
I just FedEx'd the scarves to my son's. They are going to critique and let me know. In the mean time, I plan on making another with only 2 fine layers. I can't wait.
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Post by Shepherdess on Nov 9, 2016 1:41:18 GMT
One thing that can help make them a little softer and drape more is to stretch them when they are done. F
old the long edges to the middle and then in half. Then fold the ends to the middle and in half again. Twist it not quite as much as wringing it out and the pull the ends. the folding and twisting helps to give your scarf strength. I do it to both wool and nuno scarves.
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Post by joysjoys on Nov 9, 2016 3:00:05 GMT
Thank you. I will pass this technique on to my sons.
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Post by penguin on Nov 11, 2016 17:56:09 GMT
The only time this "hard thickened felt" happened to me when using merino was when I used a pre-made batt with layered merino. I could not control the layers. A good reason to lay the merino roving on your own! I had the same problem in the same circumstances. The stretching solution below from Ann worked a treat! |
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Post by jwugg on Nov 12, 2016 7:21:29 GMT
Good point Ann, they do say stretching is a helping part of fulling (be careful not to twist & pummel too much or you'll full it even more lol) I also find I can stretch when pressing - have the felt damp & pull the edges into shape if you want to square something off, or keep straighter edges, & also pull lengthwise as you press.
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Post by Shepherdess on Nov 12, 2016 22:45:40 GMT
Yes you want to twist for strength but not wring it. Steam allows things to be moved some. I to use a steam ironing to sort out really wonky edges.
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