How thick is too thick to felt?

[caryn]

Hello fellow felters, you said to ask away so here I go:
I bought some silk fabric by mistake. I thought it was thinner! It is from Dharma Trading, and it's called Silk Double Chiffon. It is 16 MM thick! My goodness! Have any of you ever felted with something this thick? 
I can't return it, of course... any suggestions on what I can do with it if it is not appropriate for nuno felting? 
Thanks in advance!
Caryn

[lyn]

Hi Caryn

16mm? That's 1.6cm. Should that read 1.6mm?

Sorry but I haven't used such a thick chiffon in nuno felting - maybe someone else has an answer for you.

Perhaps it could be used as a lining or in applique? Washed first though in case of shrinkage?

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

I don't think it's a case of being too thick for Nuno - it's more a case of can you see through it when you hold it up to the light, i.e. is it a tight or a looser weave? The wool needs to have room to get through the threads of the fabric and the looser the weave the easier it is to felt. It will also depend upon how stiff the fabric is. For instance I tried to Nuno some hand woven linen, lots of space between the threads, but they were too stiff. The threads just didn't want to bend as the wool shrank and refused to play. I suspect it would have worked had I the patience to keep trying, but I lost heart. What I should have done was washed the linen lots of times to get it softer - 20/20 hindsight again.
So is your double chiffon as "drapey" as Dharma Trading say it is? If so you may be able to Nuno it. If I were you I'd do a small sample just to see if it will and so that you don't waste time and materials if it won't.
I did look at Dharma's website and it does indeed say it's 16mm which does sound very thick (no wonder they suggest that the fabric would be good for "dressy slacks"!) I don't know how experienced you are in nuno felting, but this fabric might be something to keep until you've had a go at lots of different fabrics. Some people seem to be able to get no end of different fabrics to "stick" - too much like hard work for my ancient arms.🙄

[caryn]

Thank you both so much for your well thought out replies! I held the fabric up to light and sure enough, you can see somewhat through it! But certainly not the risk of a large project! So I’ll wash it a couple of times, then try a couple of samples. I’ll check not only if it sticks but if it riches or to what level it shrinks. I’ll keep you posted… you’ve given me hope!
Thanks!
Caryn

[MTRuth]

I don't suggest trying to nuno anything higher than 8 MM. (MM standes for momme which is the weight of the silk, not milimeters). I haven't ordered that particular fabric from Dharma before. The one I like best for nuno felting is 3 MM.

That said, you could make dyed scarves from the silk. I do a lot of ice or snow dyeing, depending on where you're from, and sell the scarves. They seem to sell fairly well and don't take a ton of work.

[lyn]

Feb 7, 2024 17:07:19 GMT MTRuth said:

I don't suggest trying to nuno anything higher than 8 MM. (MM standes for momme which is the weight of the silk, not milimeters). I haven't ordered that particular fabric from Dharma before. The one I like best for nuno felting is 3 MM.

That said, you could make dyed scarves from the silk. I do a lot of ice or snow dyeing, depending on where you're from, and sell the scarves. They seem to sell fairly well and don't take a ton of work.

Thank you Ruth - I didn't know about momme

[Shepherdess]

I have heard of people felting with that weight but I haven't done it myself. I would give it a try with a sample. I am not familiar with the fabric, could it be used for lining things?