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Post by zed on Jan 31, 2014 10:55:06 GMT
I've probably asked this before, but I honestly don't 'get' the whole rolling for ages thing ... do people who roll for ages just not do any rubbing at all? I honestly don't think I'd felt if I had to bother with all that. A small piece of felt takes me 15 minutes, 20 tops. Even felting my book cover last week and taking photos throughout took about an hour and half, so maybe 45 minutes felting. I tried rolling in bubblewrap once, using silk lap, I ended up unrolling and just rubbing. Luvswool, I have a few videos showing a sample being felted start to finish www.youtube.com/user/feltbyzed/videosIt might help if you don't like rolling. I have a better towel now too, that stops the bubble-wrap moving when I rub the felt on it
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Post by Pandagirl on Jan 31, 2014 14:30:23 GMT
Depending on the project, when I'm done rolling after the fibers are meshing I use either a plexiglass cutting board with a nubby side to full or a glass bead board I made from an old cutting board using hot soapy water. I also made a smaller glass bead board with a handle. I'll post pictures later if anyone is interested. Then I like to "throw" my projects to finalize the process. It's great way to get rid of tension. ;-)
Definitely watch the videos. There are also videos at outbackfibers.com and feltinglessons.com that are very helpful. That's how I learned the basics, then expanded them on this forum. :-)
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Post by halay on Jan 31, 2014 14:39:56 GMT
Zed, thanks for sharing this video where we can see a different approach. Obviously in this piece of work you were using pieces of silk fabric so in this respect we could call this nuno technique (correct me if I am wrong). From different sources I've learned that we need to start rolling gently without rubbing because we want to achieve the migration of wool fibers through silk while rubbing would cause felting and this would not happen. I'm puzzled now.
One more interesting observation: I admire the edges on you work - they are so even and in the end you got a perfect square while I always get some abstract shapes.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Jan 31, 2014 14:58:48 GMT
Zed, thanks for the tip about felting sample from start to finish on YouTube! (Looking forward to that since I don't like rolling). This is my weekend for sampling, with new techniques and various raw fibers. Plan to time myself as well. What makes felting such a challenge: different techniques, variances in wool fibers, rolling and/or rubbing, fulling. It never gets boring! Guess this is why I abandoned quilting a few years ago--all so predictable!
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Jan 31, 2014 15:00:21 GMT
Pandagirl--would love to see photos of your handmade washboards! I plan to use my wooden foot massager/roller for the first time this weekend. Let it snow! Let it snow!
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Jan 31, 2014 15:10:30 GMT
Zed--just watched Parts 1 and 2 of your YouTube video and I noticed your "mesh" or "tulle" is much more substantial than what I use (mosquito netting). What is that called? Looks like the heavier weight holds up and does not cause shifting of fibers.
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Post by Shepherdess on Jan 31, 2014 15:44:26 GMT
I would love to see pictures of your home made boards. I rub my nuno first. I rub it gently on the silk side to encourage the wool to migrate up through the silk. I have it covers with a shear. The shear is an old curtain from the second hand store. I love my glass wash board. Its an old one in a wooden frame. There are many ways to felt and we all have our own way. Try as many different ways as you can and then pick the parts you like and make your own way.
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Post by Pandagirl on Jan 31, 2014 15:56:21 GMT
Ann that's good to know, another technique to try! A lot of my Nuno is two sided so I'm always careful not to disturb the designs. I'll post pics later of the boards and my cobweb.
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Post by koffipot on Jan 31, 2014 17:16:17 GMT
I can't find the photo just now, but my son-in-law made me a fulling roller from an old wooden rolling pin. He routed grooves along the length of the pin. It works very well. I also find a microfibre towel more effective than a terry one. I prefer more rubbing than rolling and a bit of throwing is good for the soul too!
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Post by Pandagirl on Feb 1, 2014 1:32:44 GMT
Here are the fulling tools I use: There is a plexiglass cutting board on the black and the cutting board and hand tool with the glass beads. I used E6000 glue to attach the beads (stones?). The old plastic cutting board had to be roughed up a bit before glueing on the beads, but the bare wood board was porous enough it didn't need any preparation. I bought a handle and attached it to the wood, then glued on the beads and let it dry for a couple of days. The pic on the right shows a closeup of the bumpy plexiglass surface and a side view of the handle. They all work well and were inexpensive. I've heard about the grooved rolling pins and glass washboards but haven't found any locally.
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Post by Shepherdess on Feb 1, 2014 2:03:42 GMT
Excellent idea for tools. I may have to see if I still have a jar of beads some where and try making one. with the wash board you don't rub on it you roll on top of it. I have seen people rubbing but when I tried it just made the felt all fuzzy and yucky. Judith, I may resort to that. I have been looking for a Swedish rolling pin. It has a corn on the cop texture.
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Post by MTRuth on Feb 1, 2014 2:12:05 GMT
Great idea Marilyn - I have some of those type of bead/stones. I may have to try it.
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Post by Pandagirl on Feb 1, 2014 2:15:54 GMT
Ann, that's good to know about rolling on the washboard. I'll have to try that with the plexiglass. I like the board with the handle I feel I have more control. I just picked up a piece of wood from the craft store and bought a cheap handle. I already had the beads, too. :-)
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Feb 1, 2014 3:10:12 GMT
Really clever, Pandagirl!
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Post by halay on Feb 1, 2014 5:34:06 GMT
Pandagirl, how clever! I may try to make the smaller one with a handle too. I just need to get beads somewhere.
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