Over-Fulled scarf query

[penguin]

Hi all, I nuno-felted a scarf last weekend and, having decided my creations are sometimes too fluffy, I filled it thoroughly. It still LOOKS quite pretty but the texture of the woolly parts would make a nice pair of slippers; not the draping, floaty scarf I was aiming for! (I used part of a bought batt I'd not used before and I suppose I should have done so,e samples first!)

i think I know the answer to this (and it's no!) but is there any way to soften over-fulled nuno - it's silk chiffon with a merino and silk batt - don't know the merino grade but I'm thinking 'middling' rather than say super fine! 

Will try try to post a pic later.

[penguin]

Here we are. This is it - as you can see it's also short! Started at 140 cm but now 96 - and as I only laid it lengthways all the shrinkage is, of course, lengthways. Wasn't thinking when I made it really!

Attachments:

[zed]

I wouldn't have thought there's much you can do, really. Possible re-wetting and trying to stretch it, but I like how it looks.
I'd just call it something different, collar, cowl (or do they have to be hooded?) or something.
It's very nice, the colours and texture are gorgeous. Sometimes you need something a bit more 'robust'

[penguin]

Thanks Zed - encouraging comments much appreciated even if, as I suspected, I can't do much! Good idea to rename/repurpose though! ? I love the colours too so be a shame not to do something with it.

[penguin]

Oh dear - wasn't supposed to be a sad face or a question mark! Something got lost in translation from iPad!!

[Shepherdess]

o make it a bit more drapy you can wet it fold along the length the edges t the middle then the ends towards the middle and then in half. twist it like you where ringing it out and then holding the ends pull hard. the folding protects the edges and the twist give it strength. It should help but depending on how stiff it is it may not help enough. If all else fails you put it in the bin of things that didn't work they way you thought. At some point it will be exactly what you need for another project.

[penguin]

That definitely sounds worth a try! If it doesn't work I think I'll go for Zed's option as the bin of things that didn't work out is overflowing!!

[Pandagirl]

I don't have an answer for you Anne, but perhaps it was using a batt instead of wisps of roving that made it hard. It does look lovely and can be used as a shawl. It's too pretty to put away. :-)

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Early on in my nuno-felting journey, I had a similar experience. I simply made the “scarf” into a collar for the winter. It’s perfect for those really cold days in the winter when you need something a bit more than a scarf or muffler. I found a nice large covered hook & eye as a hidden closure. Waste not want not.

[Frances]

If is sturdy enough use a blanket stitch to sew edges together leave a flap and add a clasp and you have a purse

[elizabeth]

I thought of that, too, Frances. Or you could cut it in pieces and make several cuffs.

[MTRuth]

The scarf is lovely. You've got some great suggestions. I would say for next time, you need much less fiber. Just use tiny wisps of wool, not thick layers at all. It will shrink more with less wool. Make a sample and figure out the shrinkage rate if you're going for a specific size. Nuno really needs very little wool for a nice drape.

[penguin]

Thanks everyone, and Ruth, up I think you've hit the nail on the head - too much wool! I think because I was using resists and wanted to frill the edges of the wool (although that didn't go as planned either!) I laid it down thicker than I should have so that I'd have strong edges to frill. Ah well, lesson learned! Not strong enough for a purse unless I quilt it or something, but if Anne's idea doesn't work then I will go the collar route.

[penguin]

Thank You Shepherdess! I did as you suggested and rung it by twisting it over a door handle and pulling it HARD - in fact I pretty much hung off it! Did that a couple of times and, as if by magic, I have a lovely floaty scarf, 20 cm longer than it was before! All those hard bits that felt horrible have gone. While it was wet I also managed to put a little bit more frill on the felted parts that stand proud of the silk ... So all in all I'm very happy! Thanks again! I'll

[penguin]

Oops! I'll remember that trick in future if I need it - very useful!