|
Post by tracey on Apr 10, 2017 17:46:22 GMT
When I make a round pod, even though I stuff it full of material to shape it when fulled and spend an age steaming it, I still get wrinkles around the middle at the widest point running vertically, any tips please?
UPDATE - I have been looking online at photos of artists pods/vessels and I can see wrinkles.
|
|
|
Post by lyn on Apr 10, 2017 20:15:56 GMT
Felt or skin - wrinkles are a fact of life.
I have made pods, using a circular resist, where the wrinkles are so fine they don't really show ... I have also made pods that have obvious wrinkles.
I think the answer for me is fourfold:
1) Getting the right amount of fibre near to, and around the edge of the resist makes a vast difference to my ability to get a smooth pod. Too bulky and there will be chunky wrinkles - not enough fibre and there will be weak spots.
2) The type of fibre I use makes a difference too - coarser fibres don't show wrinkles so much.
3) Being careful to lay the fibre so that the density is as equal as is possible across the resist and equal both sides.
4) Being gentle with the felting and at first when fulling until the felt looks smooth, then I can bash it about, and of course complete fulling is essential.
|
|
|
Post by tracey on Apr 10, 2017 20:39:28 GMT
Many thanks Lyn for the comprehensive reply. I thought wrinkles may occur with Merino more so than with a coarse wool. I understand what you are saying regarding laying the fibres, practice I guess. A bit of subtle beading maybe.
|
|
|
Post by lyn on Apr 10, 2017 20:57:57 GMT
Yes, I think it's more difficult to get wrinkle free with merino ... but I do like merino! Here's a couple of pods we made 'in the early days' when we were having a go with different fibres. a couple of non-merino pods
|
|
|
Post by tracey on Apr 11, 2017 5:35:04 GMT
They are both really lovely Lyn. At least I now know that I'm not doing anything particularly wrong, thank you.
|
|
|
Post by jwugg on Apr 11, 2017 6:22:03 GMT
I had just another couple of thoughts to add as possible suggestion:
- may happen when hot water is used too early, so fulling starts before felting is done enough
- if the wrinkles are on the widest part, it could be the felt isn't strong or thick enough to hold it's shape & it's bulging/sagging there. That could indicate insufficient fulling to me.
- It's always useful to full & shape the pot by rubbing, having manipulated it into the shape you want
- I find it best to stuff a wet pod firmly with bubble wrap or towels, pushing into the shape you want & leave them in until it's almost dry then steam
I expect you're already doing these things
|
|
|
Post by tracey on Apr 11, 2017 13:34:12 GMT
Thanks Jill. I stuff the pod with soft towels to get into all the available space, I use the handle of a wooden spoon for even more leverage. Thanks for the other good points, I have taken them on board.
|
|
|
Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Apr 11, 2017 13:44:16 GMT
Must admit, I finally succeeded with small pods after using Lyn's terrific tutorial and a bit of guidance from Marilyn. Love making pods!!!
|
|
|
Post by tracey on Apr 11, 2017 16:22:13 GMT
Cathy, I use Lyn's pod method now, what is Marilyn's tip?
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Apr 11, 2017 21:23:23 GMT
I use Lyns tut and an ice cream scoop against my hand to shape. I haven't had to stuff anything because by the time I'm done shaping the pod is well fulled.
|
|
|
Post by lyn on Apr 12, 2017 9:07:47 GMT
Quick tip for a small pod that I've discovered (the pod size and the shape in the tutorial). I have a round baby rattle that's great for shaping and it just about fits into the hole at the top of the pod. Well, you know how sometimes you just feel like playing around? When the pod was in its last stage of fulling, I put the rattle inside the pod and twirled it around - the pod stayed on the rattle because of centrifugal force. I twirled the pod this way and that on the rattle - different speeds got the rattle working different parts of the pod - and I twirled it upside down too until it was as stiff as a board and couldn't be fulled further.
You'll only get the one shape, but it's the shape I wanted anyway.
p.s. Unless you like wiping up splatters of water from the walls and furniture, do it outside. Oh, and when you slow down the speed of the twirling, be ready to catch the pod otherwise it drops onto the muddy lawn.
|
|
|
Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Apr 12, 2017 13:04:11 GMT
Tracey, I see that Marilyn included her tip for you. Only thing I can add about pods is that the 3-D process was so much more challenging for me than using flat felt. Marilyn modeled the process for me as we made our pods side by side. That really helped!
|
|
|
Post by Shepherdess on Apr 12, 2017 15:16:57 GMT
Lyn, you sound like you are speaking form experience. LOL
|
|
|
Post by lyn on Apr 12, 2017 19:41:32 GMT
Spot on Ann! But do try the whirling - it's fun.
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Apr 12, 2017 21:08:29 GMT
Lyn unfortunately they don't make those rattles anymore. I looked everywhere and had to settle on the scoop. :-)
|
|