Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Felting with Ebony

Yesterday was a public holiday here in Canberra so Ebony and I did some felting.
She loves felting but I think it's mainly about the mess than anything else.
To begin with she had to put a piece of terylene fabric down on the table --Fiona Wright who taught me this method calls it "Granma's curtains".
A piece of thin white silk chiffon 55cm X 35cm was then put on the curtain.
Then she placed the wool tops out in the design that she wanted on top of this.




Next there was a layer of this crappy scarfe over the top ..................




She then had to place the "grandma's curtain" over the top of this and it was then placed on some thin plastic (like you get over your clothes when you get them back from the cleaners) and rolled up in a towel and then rolled and rolled turning the plastic wad 4 times so that it was rolled in each direction once.


Then the piece was removed from the towel-plastic-curtain and placed in a plastic bag and put in the microwave for 40 seconds and removed and the fulling process begins.
To do this the plastic bag was smacked onto the table a few times until the bag burst and then she had to throw the felt wad onto the table.
This process makes the piece felt together ..the more you do it the more it felts.
I had to help at this stage because her arm was hurting.


I made a piece as well and they can be seen below..Ebony's is on the right .
They were both the same size when we started but I felted mine a bit longer than she did.





This is the back view and you will notice that the dye has run out of the wool and the piece of silk is now apricot.
I didn't use the silk on mine because I wanted to show her how it would look without it.




Ebony's felt is now 28cm x 21 cm.
I think she is going to make ATC's with hers because she wants to make some "fabric" ATC's instead of card ones.
So in a few weeks she will have 6 ATC's to trade---anyone interested?
All in all we had a good time.


14 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Sounds like you had a fun day together! I'd love to trade with Ebony because I'd love to see the felt she made. The only piece of felt I ever have made, Cosmo (the bratty cat) destroyed. Guess he thought it looked like his furry mouse!!

Pat said...

Well done both of you, what a wonderful thing to be able to share a day like this.

Dianne said...

Great job girls!!! Can't wait to see the ATC's....maybe I might have time to trade with Ebony!!??

Lise said...

I'd love to do another trade with Ebony!! I would never have thought of using the microwave for felting - thanks for the idea. The result looks great.

Jan said...

Goodness, I've never seen this technique before - but what wonderful results and WHAT FUN!!
If it's not too greedy (seeing that I already own one of Ebony's atcs!) I would love to trade for one of her felt ones!
Lovely work both of you.

Unknown said...

This looks great girls! What a lovely day you both must had! Ebony is getting pretty allround when she works next to her grandma on creating things.I love to trade with her.

Sandy said...

Ebony is getting an early start in making fiber art. Nice pieces

Doreen G said...

Thanks everyone for trading with Ebony and she now has enough trades so she will have to start her stitching on Thursday when she comes to stay again.
It may take several weeks because she only comes to stay once a week.

Lalhezar said...

Doreen, This felting technique is going to become a world wide standard once Ebony's ATC hit the market.

Micki said...

You two look like you had a lot of fun. The felt looks great.

Ati said...

Great colors and nice pieces you two have made. If there is an atc left from Ebony, I would love to trade with her too.

Françoise said...

One day, I want to come and play with you two!
In the meantime, I would love to trade with Ebony. Am I too late?

Robin Mac said...

I am too late to trade with Ebony too, but i love the felt she made. The only time I tried that technique I was so sore for about a week after I could hardly move - arthritis does not go well with throwing the felt! Glad you both had so much fun

Digitalgran said...

What a good idea to get Ebony trading. I miss having my GD around now that she's growing up too fast.