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Post by tracey on Jan 9, 2017 17:47:00 GMT
Interesting, Judith. I've been using matt acrylic medium even on black felt and haven't noticed any white particles on it. So are you using this brand too Nada?
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Post by tracey on Jan 9, 2017 17:22:50 GMT
Thanks very much for that Judith, I will look that one up.
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Post by tracey on Jan 9, 2017 16:38:52 GMT
I didn't think about the rain but if I had a lovely felt handbag I wouldn't expose it to the elements! Thing is Lyn IF I was ever lucky to sell it, the public would be expecting it to be bomb proof don't you think?
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Post by tracey on Jan 9, 2017 16:30:41 GMT
I am continuing with my bag today and have a question regarding my crater 'sides'. As they consist of only two layers of felt they feel a little flimsy and will squash down with use. I was wondering whether to stiffen them (they are only a few millimeters deep) I read the post regarding cornstarch stiffener and know Nada mentioned acrylic medium, which I have heard of before. Would dilute PVA glue work?, I have some Mod Podge which when undiluted stiffens fabric, and if so what ratio to water please, 50/50 ? It is a small scale need, perhaps two tablespoonsfull only. Also do you think it sensible to re-wet that area and stiffen as the last thing to do once the bag is complete with lining/handle etc, to cut down on handling, or now whilst it is still being felted? Thanks. I may be wrong but I would stiffen the felt before lining the bag in case there's a chance you could get stiffener on the lining - difficult to say without seeing the bag. PVA (50/50 with water) should work ok. Perhaps make a small 2 layer piece of felt to experiment upon? I haven't used Mod Podge so can't say. Yes I thought I would have to be really careful about any stiffener migrating through to the lining. It's just that with more handling to be done, lining, handles, beads maybe, I thought it may be better to do it last. Hmmm...thanks Lyn.
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Post by tracey on Jan 9, 2017 16:23:37 GMT
Tracy I think you will find that the PVA or modpodge will be effected by moisture, either high humidity , rain or a spill, it will get tacky and white again. It will dry again but I don't think it's a good idea. You need something that will penetrate the felt but once dry will stay hard and not take up moisture. Paverpol will work. I assume the acrylic medium suggested does as well. I haven't seen it. Thanks Ann, yes I didn't think of the after effects of rain etc. I will check out the Paverpol you mentioned and ask Nada which medium she uses. Do you have any thoughts on when to use this type of product, now before drying or at the end when the bag is finished?
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Post by tracey on Jan 9, 2017 15:50:30 GMT
Gorgeous Jill. I don't mind snow, it's not being able to stand up right on ice that worries me.
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Post by tracey on Jan 9, 2017 11:59:38 GMT
I am continuing with my bag today and have a question regarding my crater 'sides'. As they consist of only two layers of felt they feel a little flimsy and will squash down with use. I was wondering whether to stiffen them (they are only a few millimeters deep) I read the post regarding cornstarch stiffener and know Nada mentioned acrylic medium, which I have heard of before. Would dilute PVA glue work?, I have some Mod Podge which when undiluted stiffens fabric, and if so what ratio to water please, 50/50 ? It is a small scale need, perhaps two tablespoonsfull only. Also do you think it sensible to re-wet that area and stiffen as the last thing to do once the bag is complete with lining/handle etc, to cut down on handling, or now whilst it is still being felted? Thanks.
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Post by tracey on Jan 9, 2017 11:39:18 GMT
Lovely yarn Judith, looking forward to seeing the end product.
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Post by tracey on Jan 8, 2017 18:12:44 GMT
Great minds Jill, I was thinking of blocky prefelts.
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Post by tracey on Jan 8, 2017 17:57:32 GMT
I have a bit of an idea in my head, how it would transfer into felt is a different matter!
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Post by tracey on Jan 8, 2017 12:43:23 GMT
Show us the photo, Tracey. When your bag dries it will look different and then you can decide if you need to do anything. I would cut out the resists if you planned to have craters. Perhaps some stitching and beading will improve the outlook. Thanks Nada and Lyn. In the light of the next day I have decided to persevere and plough on, I was probably tired and irritated by it yesterday, we have all been there I'll bet. You are right about it drying, it has now been a damp 'mess' for two days so it doesn't endear itself to you in that state. A lot of wool has gone into it and I have plans for a double rope handle stitched down the side of the bag, and a lovely fabric lining that I have already bought, so I should stick with it. I will post a photo when it looks a little prettier! Thanks again.
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Post by tracey on Jan 8, 2017 8:22:06 GMT
My daily dose yesterday was wrestling with a bag....I had laid out six layers each side using my new 'Lyn' method of two at a time, wetting, flipping. I had made four small felt ropes and sewn them into a swirl for hidden texture as per my previous questions. I added these on top of the front fourth layer along with half cut felt balls. I also added little circles of resist with a different colour underneath to expose. Lots of hard work later, time to expose the small resists and create a small crater look. Hmmm, the 'craters' have not turned out as neat as I would have hoped. Have to decide whether to carry on and finish cutting the other resists out, not optimistic it will suddenly look better, or use the plain back for something else. A learning curve again.
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Post by tracey on Jan 7, 2017 22:16:28 GMT
Tracey - It depends on the breed, some wool fibres felt more quickly and easily than others. Merino is one of the quickest and easiest though Corriedale is easy to felt too. Alpaca is more problematical as it's a smooth fibre, unlike wool which has tiny scales which grab onto each other. zed has sampled more fibres than you could shake a stick at and is undoubtedly the best source of information. Thanks a lot Judith, looking forward to trying something different, with no qualms now.
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Post by tracey on Jan 7, 2017 22:12:42 GMT
Tracey - the ease of felting in my opinion depends on the wool breed rather than how the wool was processed. Breeds felt differently. Make a small sample first to figure out shrinkage and how it felts. Corriedale felts easily in my experience. I like to use different breeds other than Merino but if you are used to Merino only, give the other breeds a chance. They might felt differently or take longer or shrink differently but they are all useful and fun in their own way. Thanks very much for that Ruth. Yes I am just trying to tear myself away from Merino for once. I asked for WOW's advice and they suggested Corriedale. I will definitely make a small sample first though to get a feel for it, thanks for that prompt, I would probably have gone big straight away.
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Post by tracey on Jan 7, 2017 21:57:54 GMT
I am asking if on the whole natural tops are slower than Merino to felt, and if they have any drawbacks. Sorry I did not understand or could answer your welcome questions, but hang fire, someone will I'm sure.
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