Well, this isn't much to brag about, but then again, it is my first try at this. I bid on a Clover felting needle tool on ebay and won it, and it arrived today. So I've been playing with it, and this is what I ended up with. I debated about felting the threads on top of the yarn, (that resulted from fraying the edges of the fabric), and thought oh well, might as well try. Once I started on that, I was committed, since I couldn't pull them out. Now I'm not so sure I like the threads on top, I think I liked it better with just the yarn. Darn!No problem, this was basically a "practice piece". I may or may not use it in a fabric book I'll be working on in the near future. The yarn was unraveled from a sweater a few years ago, and was very kinked up, due to that. So I just layed it down randomly on the fabric. I also bought the large brush mat that is supposed to be used with this tool, and I'm glad I did, because it works great to keep the fabric in place while felting. Someone on a yahoo group posted that a piece of dense foam works with this tool, and it probably does, but I'm happy with the brush mat. And very, very happy with this needle tool.
It is so user friendly and easy to use, I was felting with it right away. I like the fact that mere yarn can be felted, as well as wool roving. And with this piece I was even able to felt the threads from the fabric, but that was more difficult and took longer than felting the yarn. Yes indeed, I'm very happy I purchased this nifty little tool. No regrets there. I highly recommend it.
If you post a comment, please weigh in on what you think of the threads on top. Do you like it that way, or think it would look better with just the yarn? If I had it to do over again, I would've stopped with the yarn and not felted the threads on top.
I like the threads on top but I am sure I would like it the other way too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI like the threads on top as I think they pull the color in from the bottom piece giving it a nice flow from one layer to the other.
ReplyDeleteI really like it, cant believe its just a practice piece. Im intrigued to try the tool you used, maybe I will get one.
ReplyDeleteI like the threads on top. Sometimes I embroider on my needlefelted pieces to bring out details or add more embellishment. The reason the thread didn't felt as easily as the yarn was that wool has little barbs in the fiber that stick out and grab each other, so it felts easily.
ReplyDeleteThe thraed on top makes the piece Val. Like everything you touch it turns out awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI like the threads on top too. It IS just a practice piece after all. If you hadn't added the threads, you might have felt like you had stopped too soon.
ReplyDeleteI discovered felting about 6 months ago and am hooked. Your first piece is lovely and happen to think the threads on top add a great texture and airiness to it!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive start!!!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Val! I like the threads on top - it adds a bit of a focal point. I've been wanting to try my hand at felting and appreciate your feedback on the clover tool.
ReplyDeleteDarcy
With some things, simple is great, with others, over the top is the way to go. I am in a simple mood today, so I wonder what the piece would look like sans thread, but it is nice as it is. Practise needs different elements, to see how they interact. Hmmm, wonder what it would look like if you added....
ReplyDeleteVal I am just discovering needle felting myself and must buy myself the needles. I passed back the borrowed needle I had today..time to buy my own. I like your try out piece but was wondering if a few whispy pieces of mohair felted over the top of the threads would just tone them down a little. Its your first piece so well done and anything that is pleasing to the eye is a piece of art. This would make a great atc. I have just bought a book with tips and techniques for beginners so am eager to get into it.
ReplyDeleteVal - Beautiful! I'm going to have to get mine back out. I've seen some pieces that are amazingly detailed, haven't figured out how to do that yet. Marva
ReplyDeleteVal, You always try such awesome and strange new things :) I haven't felted since winter, and when I did, I came up with something really similar to yours. It's something I intend to do more of. Thank you for sharing your experience with it. It's always fun to see what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteNancy