Decided to make some felt in Spring colours. Pink for Camellias and yellow for Kowhai.
I had only read about making felt, so decided to give it ago.
Bubble wrap, tulle, broomstick handle, plastic rubbing tray, Lux soap flakes, warm water and Sunlight soap.
Wasn’t sure which way to put the bubble wrap, so put it bubble side down. Spread out the merino wool in two layers, then my favourite part, put in the embellishments, silk threads, organza ribbon, plus other threads on top. Sprinkle with soap flakes, and laid the tulle over the top.
Poured warm water and began to rub with the plastic tray. Used too much water to begin with and it was sloppy. I removed the tulle, and rolled up the bubble wrap around the broom handle. Securing it with rubber bands is essential.
Roll, and roll and roll, backwards and forwards for a long time, at least a hundred rolls. My arms were sore.
After removing the felt from the bubble wrap, I rubbed some Sunlight soap into it, and manipulated it more by handling it, dropping, scrunching it for several more minutes. I think this is what is called “shocking the felt”, as it shrinks quite significantly.
I rinsed it well and waited for it to dry.
Printed off a cherry blossom sketch, and traced this onto tissue paper. After trying several layers of tulle, decided 3 layers of white tulle were sufficient, and pinned this under the blossom pattern. Pinned the tissue to the felt and sewed it on, using brown variegated thread for branches and background buds. Changed to white thread for the blossom. Removing the tissue paper wasn’t as bad as Press n Seal, but still needed to use tweezers to get some tiny amounts of paper off.
Unfortunately I used my drawing pencil, so the white thread had rubbed and turned grey, so had to wash the blossom. Will know better next time.
Cutting away the leftover tulle needed small sharp scissors. I like the softened effect the tulle gave. Free motion zigzagged in white thread “the branches”. Maybe brown might have been more effective?
Green thread echo quilted the blossom. I like how it radiates out from the cherry blossom.
Yellow beads were sewn in the cherry blossom for the stamen.
I had only read about making felt, so decided to give it ago.
Bubble wrap, tulle, broomstick handle, plastic rubbing tray, Lux soap flakes, warm water and Sunlight soap.
Wasn’t sure which way to put the bubble wrap, so put it bubble side down. Spread out the merino wool in two layers, then my favourite part, put in the embellishments, silk threads, organza ribbon, plus other threads on top. Sprinkle with soap flakes, and laid the tulle over the top.
Poured warm water and began to rub with the plastic tray. Used too much water to begin with and it was sloppy. I removed the tulle, and rolled up the bubble wrap around the broom handle. Securing it with rubber bands is essential.
Roll, and roll and roll, backwards and forwards for a long time, at least a hundred rolls. My arms were sore.
After removing the felt from the bubble wrap, I rubbed some Sunlight soap into it, and manipulated it more by handling it, dropping, scrunching it for several more minutes. I think this is what is called “shocking the felt”, as it shrinks quite significantly.
I rinsed it well and waited for it to dry.
Printed off a cherry blossom sketch, and traced this onto tissue paper. After trying several layers of tulle, decided 3 layers of white tulle were sufficient, and pinned this under the blossom pattern. Pinned the tissue to the felt and sewed it on, using brown variegated thread for branches and background buds. Changed to white thread for the blossom. Removing the tissue paper wasn’t as bad as Press n Seal, but still needed to use tweezers to get some tiny amounts of paper off.
Unfortunately I used my drawing pencil, so the white thread had rubbed and turned grey, so had to wash the blossom. Will know better next time.
Cutting away the leftover tulle needed small sharp scissors. I like the softened effect the tulle gave. Free motion zigzagged in white thread “the branches”. Maybe brown might have been more effective?
Green thread echo quilted the blossom. I like how it radiates out from the cherry blossom.
Yellow beads were sewn in the cherry blossom for the stamen.
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