| Author |
Stitching & Crafting Room:  Can't seem to felt properly...  |
|
|
melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3317 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3317 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 12:05:10 PM
|
(My lame attempt at felting soap does NOT look like this!)
I am having a terrible time felting my soap.
I am using merino wool, dampen my bar of soap in hot water so the felt will attach, wrap the roving around (snugly), rub it back and forth on some raised grid shelf paper and it just won't grab onto the soap. I roll it around trying to massage it and make it fit, but I end up with a very loose floppy piece of wet wool ...Uggh!
I have checked out on line tutorials, but my end product just isn't what its supposed to look like. What am I doing wrong?
Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thank you girls....
Melody
Farmgirl #525
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com
www.bythebayhandcraftedsoap.blogspot.com |
|
|
karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 12:50:10 PM
|
I know when I have done it I used the washing machine & it really agitates it! When I saw them do it by hand on She's crafty they threw it on the table & beat it & really worked it hard! I don't know if that helps you or not?!?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
http://rua2j-grammysheirlooms.blogspot.com/ |
 |
|
|
Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 1:52:30 PM
|
when you use the washing machine how much soap comes off the bar? do you lose alot? Just wondering. I would like to give this a try..
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett
Beverley with an extra E...
https://sites.google.com/site/bevsdoggies/
http://bevsdoggies.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 3:31:22 PM
|
I didn't do the bar of soap thing I felted a purse. I would imagine the bar of soap would disappear in the machine!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
http://rua2j-grammysheirlooms.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 06:18:53 AM
|
Melody I wonder if you could felt the wool in the washing machine with hot water and take it out wet and then work it around the soap? Just a thought from someone who has never done it :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 05:25:16 AM
|
Melody,
I have hand felted wool onto soap, it took me a LONG time of scrubbing.
I thought the bar of soap would be gone before I got it to felt.
Also if you are using square soap bars the corners don't get covered well.
Is your wool "Super wash"? it will not felt at all or very little.
hope this helps
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
|
|
|
grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 07:06:01 AM
|
Melody I have been making felted soap for about 14 years now and here is what I know. Yes, please make sure that you have 100% Merino not the super wash. Also Merino will felt but if you are putting too much on the soap is will slip and slid because the fibers are working against the slickness of the soap. No I would not recommend every putting soap bars in the wash machine. You will lose too much soap. When you are doing it by hand here is my secret - put a coarser fiber next to the soap and then cover with the Merino - This will set up a great agitation within the fibers and it will felt quicker and stay put. Normally that little trick costs my students $55.00 for the class. There is also a few other tricks but the next most important is whisper thin layers and changing directions in layering. Take the time on that and it will pay off in the end product.
I hope those help but if you are still having issues please post, I will check back. Oh, also do not bang it that will chip the soap. You can also needle felt the corners to keep them in place before wet felting. Good luck and have fun.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
|
|
|
|
melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3317 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3317 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 09:44:57 AM
|
Thank you for the expert advice Grace! I will keep trying-
Mel |
|
|
| |
Stitching & Crafting Room: Can't seem to felt properly... |
|
Can't seem to felt properly...
