|
Post by marshall91 on Mar 11, 2020 4:24:00 GMT
Hello All! I’m new to the forum and brand new to wet and nuno felting. I can’t quite figure out when felting should end and fulling begins, then I’m not sure how long to do the fulling. How do you know how much is just enough? I know this is a difficult question with lots of considerations. For this question, let’s assume I’m making a lightweight nuno silk scarf. I’ve laid the green wool down in a vining pattern with spring flowers blooming here and there. I’ve added some silk And bamboo for decoration. Wool is on top of the silk fabric.
|
|
|
Post by lyn on Mar 11, 2020 8:20:00 GMT
You are going to get a lot of advice - not all the same - felters have their own peculiar ways of achieving the same result! Here's my tuppence worth: I always use tepid water for nuno felting because heat would speed things up too much - the wool fibres need plenty of time to migrate through the silk. When the felting starts, be gentle to slow things down, and when rolling don't apply pressure until the wool fibres have migrated through the silk. When the scarf is felted (i.e. when the fibres are well and truly into the silk) the fulling begins. At this time gently stretch the scarf now and then to give better drape. Here's a simple photo tutorial that may help: lemmemakeit.blogspot
|
|
|
Post by marshall91 on Mar 11, 2020 10:43:09 GMT
Thank you, Lyn! I‘m glad for the advice!
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Mar 11, 2020 19:05:37 GMT
There are videos on out studio site there is a box below that will connect you. Also, there is a lot of information at www.feltinglessons.com have fun!
|
|
|
Post by MTRuth on Mar 11, 2020 20:03:43 GMT
Most beginners don't want to hear this but I think it's very important to make samples. Try small pieces that are 8-10" big and try different amounts of felting, fulling and different kinds of fabric, embellishments and wool. Especially if you are making a bigger piece, you save time and effort and disappointment if you make a small sample first. You'll learn something new with each sample.
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Mar 12, 2020 0:53:50 GMT
I agree!
|
|
|
Post by Shepherdess on Mar 12, 2020 1:44:51 GMT
My turn. I was taught it felt as soon as it's holding together and after that you are fulling. You full until everything is firm and well attached but not hard. At the end, I fold all the edges in and fold it up twist and pull along the length to give it more drape. It is very subjective. I agree with doing some samples, fulling each different amounts so you can see how things change.
|
|
|
Post by marshall91 on Mar 12, 2020 2:05:52 GMT
Thanks for the feedback! Marilyn, I started out with Terri Pikes videos when learning to wet felt. Her Nuno videos are great too.
Ruth & Ann, I don’t nind starting out small. The first Nuno piece I made was by laying out silk hankies 2 wide & 6 long. Covered with a layer of wool (horizontal and vertical) and covered with another set of hankies. I was not prepared for the shrinkage - it barely goes around my neck. Except for some holes here & there, it turned out ok. I’ve made two smaller pieces using silk gauze bits. I feel like they’re flat & uninteresting.
|
|
|
Post by lindsay on Mar 12, 2020 4:08:51 GMT
I second what everyone else has said. The bit I’ll add: when I started wet felting I used to think a lot about the different stages of felting. With experience I’d say the separate stages are less clear, they merge into each other. I find it’s very difficult to over-do the rubbing stage. If you keep rubbing the fulling starts anyway. However, it’s easy to under-do it and start rolling or whatever too soon, then you end up with felt that is poor quality. So my advice is, if you’re not sure you’ve rubbed enough, rub some more!
|
|
|
Post by Antje on Mar 12, 2020 7:43:43 GMT
I second what everyone else has said. The bit I’ll add: when I started wet felting I used to think a lot about the different stages of felting. With experience I’d say the separate stages are less clear, they merge into each other. I find it’s very difficult to over-do the rubbing stage. If you keep rubbing the fulling starts anyway. However, it’s easy to under-do it and start rolling or whatever too soon, then you end up with felt that is poor quality. So my advice is, if you’re not sure you’ve rubbed enough, rub some more! We are all in agreement about samples & when felting becomes fulling. Lindsay's comment above is very pertinent, when you think you've finished rubbing, rub some more! check out the videos by Lena Archbold....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Etc96Ed9Q....which references your original question. looking forward to seeing some of your work.
|
|