Rubbing and Rolling

[MTRuth]

Thanks for the explanation Galina, it's good to hear more about the "Russian" felt makers.

[lyn]

Thank you Galina for a very interesting and informative reply!

[Shepherdess]

Thanks for the explanation. I am usually watching something thicker and heavier being made so maybe that is what I am seeing. Usually lots of rolling with a wooden device dso they can really press down. Mostly now I roll, very little rubbing except to set a design. I will have to find some of the videos Anyone one have any links they particularly liked?

[orlaosborne]

Interesting contrast Galina! I'm a more of a rubber too, but I totally get what you're saying about the fibers underneath coming through the surface design and blurring it. So, I would love to try your technique of more rolling to avoid this exact problem. Do you at least rub for a bit? I would just be worried about the surface design moving about while rolling it up if it wasn't rubbed a good deal first. I usually rub until it passes the 'pinch test' and I have a good pre-felt, which is probably too long. 

[lyn]

Hello Orla
I always rub the felt first, until the design is 'set', before rolling.

The fibres will always migrate up through and the best way to deal with this is to shave the felt when it's dry. I use a disposable razor (but take care not to abrade the fabric if you've made nuno felt).

You can see the difference a shave makes from these before and after photos on nuno felt, but it works equally well on just wool designs:



It was taken from this blog post:

blog post

[Shepherdess]

Yes, rolling doesn't stop blurring. I roll much more than I rub. I have a fuzzy grey basket at the moment and am trying to decide if I am brave enough to use a torch on it to burn off the fuzz they way they do with felt rugs.

[MTRuth]

Go for it Ann!