Sunshine, July and Daily Tangents #23 Craft
Hello and welcome to the start of another Sunshine, July and Daily Tangents blog post. It's starting to get a rhythm, that title.
I am currently sat outside in the warm wind, on a picnic blanket with a cushion and a chair to rest my type-enabling technology. The sun was starting to set when I first began preparing for this post however currently it is lingering like a neighbour in an awkward conversation; edging away only slightly as more and more time passes. If I remember, I will add a photo here:
It has been a very hot day today and you may know this if you live in the UK but it was the start of the heatwave. Now I love sunny weather but today was a lot! I keep spreading my arms out against a cool wall just to cool down.
Firstly I must apologise for the false hope set at the end of the last post. I mentioned that today's blog would be based on the theme Age and in fact the whole day I've been thinking about what to write for this topic. However, I remembered only moments ago that initially I had this as my theme but changed it last minute. Fear not (talking to myself mostly) today's material can fit into another day.
Today's theme is Craft and so I have decided to do a little tutorial. I've had a little look through my photos and I managed to find the perfect craft to share: felting! Because of my tiny faux pas, there are no photos of the steps but hopefully, my words will paint the picture for you.
Here is how I carry out needle felting...
You will need:
- Felt wool (which is essentially a fuzzy mass of felt)
- A Felting needle- I usually use the needles without handles but you can purchase ones with handles. You can figure out your preference over time!
- Normal felt or fabric to work into. Felt and styrofoam work the best. Alternatively, you can experiment using anything else that is soft. I've used cotton fabric in previous experiments which left holes in the material so I'd say fabrics with a grain may not be the best option.
- Two thick sponges, preferably around 10cm in height each. Length dependant on the size of the sample.
To start off I layer my two sponges one on top of the other. I then place my backing material, aka the material I'm felting in to, on top of this.
To prepare the felt I use my hands to pull it apart to create thin layers. Essentially this loosens it up so that later you can fold or twist it.
Once I've folded the felt to make a shape with a neat curve or twisted to make a line, I place it onto my material. Heres where the needle comes in to play: hold the needle in a vertical position with the sharp point pointing at the fabric. All you need to do then is, for the lack of a better word, stab the felt at various sections until it feels secure to the material.
The needle must be kept vertical as the needle can easily break.
Continuing forward, build up the felt as much as you want- just keep creating the layers and placing them over the top. For thin lines simply twist the felt after pulling it apart.
When I was creating the felting pictures seen in this blog post I printed out two primary images I took from my time in New York. The first is from Central Park opposite the Alice In Wonderland statue and the other is from the roundabout just outside of the park, nearest the exit from the closest point of Times Square.
If you're hoping to recreate an image of yours, my advice would be to start off with the background and build up to the closest part of the photo.
Also, I'd like to add that for the first sample I cut two pieces of felt, one blue and one white, and bonded them together with the needle; overlapping them slightly.
To create 3D sections you make them separately. Simply spread apart the felt with your hands and fold it over, stab with the needle and keep tweaking it and adding to it until you are happy with the shape. The more felt you use the thicker it will be. The thin layers of felt are really good for tone.
Another way of felting is to collect a styrofoam shape which you can add to and make 3D. This is just as easy and the only difference being that the styrofoam is your base rather than a flat piece of fabric. The 3D sections are still made separately and the background secured flat.
As you will see from my samples I applied other materials such as beads and metal to add an interesting element. I remember just having fun with trying out felting for the first time with these samples. Since this point, I've done it a handful of times and it's up there with techniques I enjoy.
Safety tips:
- Always watch what you are doing; this isn't a craft you can do whilst watching TV, unfortunately. The needle is very sharp and I've been caught a few times!
- Keep your hand on your material to keep it in place but make sure to keep them away from the pointer of the needle.
- Two sponges are in place to protect your surface tops and your needle.
I just wanted to add that I am not a professional needle felter (if there is such a thing). This is something I've been taught and practised in. It's something I enjoy and I think learning is one of the best things in life. To then share the knowledge is also a gift.
As ever, thank you very much for reading day 23 of Sunshine, July and Daily Tangents. I will be back tomorrow with day 24 which is funnily enough: New York, New York.
All my love,
Buddy xx
PS: it's gone from very hot to dramatically windy outside. The rain is making itself known! My heart nearly leapt out of my chest with that growling thunder.
Bibliography:
- HobbyCraft (2019). Felting Needles 3 Pack. [image] Available at: https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/felting-needles-3-pack/631225-1000 [Accessed 23 Jul. 2019].
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