Textiles – Page 10

Dyes

April 4, 2017 No Comments

I really dislike cooking, but I don’t mind cooking…with colours. I’m preparing a piece of felt for my next felted tree. As you can see, it’s a messy business, but I actually enjoy tapping the fibers with my fingers so that the dyes spread evenly. I should really buy some waterproof gloves but I doubt I can find a small size. Meanwhile, the dye wears off. Eventually. I steam the colours in a basket and of course, my favourite part is opening the plastic wrap and seeing how my blends have turned out. Now it’s all ready to be needle felted (a bit) and then wet felted (a lot) and assembled with glue as I see fit.

Save

Pixie’s Guardian

March 31, 2017 No Comments

I had to take this morning a picture of this little cute fellow.

Save

A singular Tree

March 28, 2017 2 Comments

Probably from Wonderland. I like appliqués and I wanted to try something else with my felting experiments. I dyed a wool batt (like a blanket of fibers), shading carefully my colors and needle felted it (next time, I’ll try to wet felt it straight). Then I wet felted it. I didn’t use any varnish… because it’s expensive. Instead I glued two layers together but left unglued the bottom to stuff the trunk with cheap fibers. Of course, I used some quality wool and nylon fibers for the parts that stick out through the holes. I like the strange fruits (wire shaped in a spiral, stuffed with wool). It turned out a bit better than expected. Although, I had to stiffen the tree with a wire in the back in the end, but it’s discreet. I think I’ll take a break from felting now.

Save

A Little Felted Tree

March 25, 2017 No Comments

Still exploring ways of using felt. I used clear matte varnish for the branches and the trunk again. I glued the base on a piece of glazed ceramic.I think I have a brilliant idea for the next tree!

Save

A Goblin

March 20, 2017 No Comments

I have learnt many things while taking this new direction with my latest goblin. I used some fusible interfacing paper in order to stop my hand woven fabric from fraying while sewing the costume but it didn’t work out, my fabric being too thick and too loose. Sewing was a bore. God, I hate sewing. I finished with a white glue and it worked just as fine and actually better: less fraying and more control. But also, quicker! Some bits are still felted, like the shoes, the hands, the antlers and the parts sticking out on the shoulders. I would have never been able to do it in a neat and rigid way without the help of some clear matte varnish. I am really glad I found out this trick. The face is made of paperclay (papier maché) and I’m not sure I like this material entirely. I might try with my ceramic clay next time but without firing it. The clay I use actually contains paper fibers and it is fairly solid, even unfired. I’ll have to see how it shrinks around the glass eyes. For the hair (I love the hair!), I dyed some tencel fibers a dark brown and it became all curly… and blonde, ha!ha! I guess it doesn’t take too well the acid dye then, but I love this Venetian blonde. I also incorporated one of my ceramic beads, the bird. I have to make some more. All in all, I am pleased about this new direction, and very, very inspired.

Now let me introduce this little goblin who is very much into books and is a bit shy..

Save

Baby Loom

March 16, 2017 No Comments

It looks like a toy and actually feels like one because it’s so small and light but it does the job. It’s only 25 cm wide but I needed it for my experimental weaving. It’s perfect for making miniature clothes for my goblins. It took me only a couple of hours to weave my first piece. This grey and primitive fabric will dress a goblin who likes to spend some time alone and who tends to be very contemplative.

Save