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Stitching & Crafting Room:  felting  |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 15 2006 : 07:59:18 AM
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Love this topic! I have bought new wool fabric and dyed it. I use Cushing dyes. It does stink like wet dog times 10. Some folks use an old crockpot plugged in outside and keep their homes smelling good. I do it on the stove in a white enameled pot bought for that purpose... "they" say your dyeing equipment shouldn't be used for food, even after washing it.
I haven't bought a lot of used fabric, but when I do, it goes right into the washing machine when I get home, washed it hot water, then cold rinse, then the dryer on delicate. That will felt it. If I don't want it felted, i.e. clean or dyed for rug hooking, I use hot water, hot rinse and hot dryer, for a bit of shrinkage which keeps it from fraying later, but not super shrunk. Wool is so much fun to work with!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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katiedid
True Blue Farmgirl
601 Posts
Kate
West Jordan
Utah
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2006 : 6:50:07 PM
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OK, this is something I could really get into....I love those quilts.
Anyone have felted wool projects to post?
I would love to see them...
Kate |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2006 : 1:57:37 PM
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I felt a lot but from crocheted or knit pieces that I have done, rather than from old sweaters.
Crochet or knit using 100% wool preferably - Less than 100% wool works if the piece is at least 50% wool, but it has to be used in tandem with the non-wool parts... ie. use one strand 100% wool with one that isn't.
Make your piece at least 1/3 larger than you want it to be once felted.
You just need lots of hot water, soap and agitation. You really don't need to use the dryer unless you want to really shrink it down, but it's a personal preference, I think. For me, using just the washer helps me regulate how much shrinkage occurs.
Also if you have a laundry bag, pillowcase or small mesh lingerie bag, it not only keeps the wool lint from getting all over your washing machine but it also keeps the machine from tearing holes in your wool piece. And if you are doing a purse or something with a strap, the strap may get caught around the hub in the center of your machine (if the piece is not in a bag.) I recommend using a bag as it really does protect both the machine and the felted piece.
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2006 : 10:41:50 PM
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Well, I met with the "rug lady" over the weekend. We made a nice exchange. I got a rug hooking frame, backing, binding & about $200 in rug wool-already felted & cut and she got cash and a one of a kind doll made to her specifications. We both went home happy & each made a new friend!
The wool looks (and smells) beautiful, but I have it in the deep freeze because it has been stored for about a year. The worst part is I have to wait a month to start hooking!
There were so many nice dark primitive colors-just my cup of tea! How fun to meet someone new that loves the same thing you do!
Blessings All,
Rhonda
...and I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance, even if I'm the only one! |
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Shirley
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Shirley
Olympia
Wa
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 12:04:18 AM
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WOW Rhonda, What a good deal you got. and the wool is already cut into strips. Thats so much work to do all that. I bet your excited to get started hooking.(oh a month sorry, it will go fast) Fall would be a good time to start anyway :)
congrats |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 1:21:00 PM
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Rhonda, that IS neat. You made out great. I bought my first frame with the wirey strips to grab the backing just recently, and with that tension, it's so much easier on my hands than the wooden hoop. I don't have a cutter, but mostly use my quilt mat and rotary cutter, as well as a pair of spring loaded fiskars-- also easy on the hands compared to regular sissors. I've been told (and read) that washed wool doesn't get moth eaten. Does anyone know differently? I use lavender sachets throughout the woolens to repel, but would be very happy to know for sure they're safe because washed.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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Audrey D Abbott
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Audrey
Williamsport
IN
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 3:40:55 PM
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| Ann, I was always told that washed wool won't attract moths, too, and by some ladies who had lots of wool and wool rugs. |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 4:06:40 PM
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the problem with washed wool isthat it does not stay washed. Dirty wool does attrack moths so once you make a wool rug out of washed wool you put it on the floor and walk on it and make it dirty. So vaccum often and keep your rugs clean or you wasted your time
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/
http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
Edited by - sunshine on Jul 17 2006 4:51:42 PM |
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rosebud74a
True Blue Farmgirl
109 Posts
Stacy
Maryland
NY
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 01:08:01 AM
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I hav had so much fun going to thift stores an finding wool sweaters to shrinnk. I am still in the process of cutting out the squares for the blanket that I am going to make. I have found it more difficult to find sweaters in the summer, I can't believe I am wishing for colder weather just so i can buy sweaters at the thift sores...haha. I found a couple of websites/blogs that illistrate what you can make afer you find and wash the sweaters. I have researched this alot, although I have little of the actual crafting.
http://www.betzwhite.com/blog/betzblog.html
I have more websites on my home computer that I will try to post tomorrow
Happy Felting!!
Stacy
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt, 'This Is My Story,' 1937
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Kathigene
True Blue Farmgirl
160 Posts
Kathy
New York
160 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2006 : 4:21:27 PM
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Check out this web site for some beautiful felted pieces. http://www.spiralworksfelt.com/gallery.htm I've never been that interested in felting but I have to admit this web site changed my mind.
Kathy
Dogs make such good friends because they wag their tails rather then their tongues. |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: felting |
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felting
