using large inclusions

[pauline]

I have been making wet felted wall pods using a small bean-filled balloon as an inclusion that I cut out to create a vessel. The final piece is a flat square felt mat with a pod in the center. I hang the piece on the wall to display airplants.
I have used plastic eggs (hard to squeeze out of the hole I cut) and various bean filled objects. I recently experimented using a resist instead of a 3D object, but I could not figure out how to create the vesselshape so it stands proud of the flat felt background. The resist is definitely easier to work with when laying down layers of roving. I am hoping for advice that might facilitate using a resist instead of a 3D object.

[MTRuth]

Interesting question. I think you can do this by using a flat resist covering it for your pod. Then lay out your flat piece. Then place a resist between the flat piece and the pod leaving the area open where you want the two to connect. Does that make sense?

[jwugg]

Hi & welcome, Pauline.
For me, to get felt to hold its shape, I need to make it relatively thick & full it hard, shaping towards the end of the fulling process. So I would use a flat resist (piece of plastic), remove it partway through fulling, then work & rub it into the 3D shape - try something like a spoon inside the hole to rub against. Then once finished, stuff the hole with plastic bag or similar until dry. If you've made the felt firm enough it'll keep the shape. You can also steam to help set the shape.

I'd love to see photos.

[zed]

To be honest, I'd probably do it the same way as you, it makes more sense to me as it's easy to visualise. Using something 2D to produce something 3D is one of those things I have to try and do to understand, or see good photos of.

I think I might actually have thought of something, Would this work:


A flat resist, cut down the top,back and bottom to open out for a square, then cut the pod part wherever you want the opening.

I'm not sure whether this, or maybe attaching a pod resist to a flat layout when they both have a couple of layers might be better. They both seem fiddly and not perfect!

[Shepherdess]

When making pods I usually start on a flat resist and when the felt is holding together I cut the opening. I shape by hand but you could blow a balloon up inside it to give you a good round shape to work the shape. You can add the balloon anytime after the cut is made to remove the resist. you can wait until the end and then blow up the balloon to hold the shape until it dries.