Thicker or bigger which is better

[Shepherdess]

some back ground. I was watching a quick video of someone making a bag as part of an add for a class. It looked like she got well over 50% shrinkage. but as I was watching I thought but the layout was pretty thin. 

Then I started wondering about layout. is it better to use 4 layers and 33-50% shrinkage or use the same amount of wool in 2 layers and layout much bigger and have 60-70% shrinkage. It's the same amount of wool and the same finished size.

Any opinions is thinner, bigger and more shrinkage better than thicker, smaller and less shrinkage?

[lyn]

I prefer to make several thinner layers because I find it easier to make 'even' felt that way.

[Shepherdess]

Jan 17, 2024 7:27:47 GMT lyn said:

I prefer to make several thinner layers because I find it easier to make 'even' felt that way.

I do thin layers as well, more thin layers being better than a few thick ones. But is 2 or 3 thin layers over a large area and shrinking more, better than 4-6 thin layers over a smaller area and not shrinking as much, thicker wool shrinking less then thinner wool. 

Part of my wondering comes from always hearing about the huge starting size and massive shrinkage some of the East European felters get. Then I saw the video and thought maybe this huge thin layout is why they can achieve it. I am sure you've seen it; a coat layout that is the length of an 8 foot or longer table but ends up as a short jacket

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

My response to Ann's original question would be "it depends".  I think that thicker is likely to be stronger than thinner even with greater shrinkage.  So if your bag - or whatever you're making - needs to be strong then I'd go for thicker.  At least I might.  On the other hand I have made strong and thin by putting a layer of cotton muslin or scrim between two layers of wool, when I needed strong but lighter in weight.  
So yes - it depends. 

[MTRuth]

I think that the greater flexibility you achieve with felt with a thinner layout and more shrinkage is better for things like clothing/wearables. Perhaps bags or slippers/boots, that have a much heaveir use, would benefit from a thicker layout.

[caterina]

Just thinking aloud, I will be glad for an opinion on my thoughts:
But if the amount of wool is the exact same, then you will not end up with a thinner or thicker felt at the end, the thickness of the result shpuld be the same, so the difference will only be that with the thinner layout you get more even felt and you can also use different directions of layout for the various layers so improving the eveness of shrinking or shrinking as you want.

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

the thickness of the result should be the same

I don't think that that is what happens.  I don't think the thickness increases as the work shrinks - does it?  The greater shrinkage of the thin layout may result in a piece the same length and width as the thick layout, but I don't think it finishes up the same thickness, or am I talking out the back of my head?

Somebody needs to make a couple of samples - volunteers?
😑 

[caterina]

Jan 17, 2024 18:28:42 GMT Ann @ frabjous fabrica said:

the thickness of the result should be the same

I don't think that that is what happens.  I don't think the thickness increases as the work shrinks - does it?  The greater shrinkage of the thin layout may result in a piece the same length and width as the thick layout, but I don't think it finishes up the same thickness, or am I talking out the back of my head?

Somebody needs to make a couple of samples - volunteers?
😑 

So, it shrinks getting more fibres per inch, but it does not result in more thickness? Well, yes, so in this case I can see how you may want to have thinner layout for wearables and thicker for bags and slippers.

[Shepherdess]

My thought is it ends up the same thickness. I will see if I can find the video and share the link. It may be just a different way to get the same thing.

[Shepherdess]

here is a link to her video. fb.watch/pE7QzMZUEC/ Its not super thin like cobweb but thinner than I would do a bag layout.

[MTRuth]

I also think that fulling it down as much as possible is very important. Many pieces of felt I see online do not look well fulled. I'm not sure about the thickness issue but samples would need to be done!

[Shepherdess]

Jan 18, 2024 16:57:24 GMT MTRuth said:

I also think that fulling it down as much as possible is very important. Many pieces of felt I see online do not look well fulled. I'm not sure about the thickness issue but samples would need to be done!

Are you suggesting a winter project for me?

[MTRuth]

Absolutely Ann!

[janekiwi]

Well it all depends , how long is a piece of string? What are you making and what sort of fibre are you using? and what sort of result do you want? for me that is the fun with felting it is different every time!