Saturday, February 28, 2009

Nuno Felting with a sander

A few days ago I read this post on the funky felters blog all about cobweb scarves. It inspired me to make a few scarves, I haven't made any since a large wholesale order before Christmas, making dozens of scarves in a few days can really put you off making something which is normally a joy. Anyway, I followed the links on the blog to see if there were any new techniques I could have a go at, one of them mentioned a sander. A few students on the City and Guilds course use sanders and I've been itching to have a go, but our sander is rather large and uncomfortable to hold. So I popped down to the local DIY store and treated myself to a cordless sander (who'd have thought I'd ever get excited over a sander!). I then went on to produce two cobweb, nuno silk scarves. They are the same design but one is on black silk chiffon and the other is on white. The sander worked a treat, once I'd laid the wool out on the the silk and wet it with warm soapy water, I covered it with bubble wrap (bubble side down) and sanded the back of the bubble wrap. Even though it's cordless I was a little paranoid about being electrocuted so I made sure the bubble wrap was completely dry. Having sanded the entire surface I rolled the scarves for a few minutes then began throwing. The results were these two beautiful scarves in just less than an hour. I've just started a group on flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/nuno/ so if you have any nuno felt creations please come and share them.

15 comments:

Chrissy said...

You are not the first person I have seen use a sander and I am very tempted to give it a go myself. I have always been reluctant to try wet felting because of the physical aspect and being of poor health. The sander seems to take alot of the brute force out of it. Is that correct?

Fibrespace said...

It does seem to take some of the physical aspect out, but I still rolled. I'm going to test it out on a handbag next week and see what a difference it makes to time and effort.

driftwood said...

oooh I really want to try, the scarves are just beautiful xx

Leah said...

Couldn't this cobweb felt be done without the sander? I wonder if it will be a timesaver. Please let us know.

Hilde C. said...

Your scarf looks so light and beautiful :-)

Abigail Thomas said...

A sander, genius idea. Did it not wear away the bubble wrap?

Nessie's Nonsense said...

Wow, beautiful! I may have to have a try!!! Vanessa:)

menopause mama said...

can you tell me what the name and model of your sander is

Lori said...

LOL! I think this is a wonderful idea! I totally love your blog! I've just added you to my favs and will follow your blog too. Your stuff is wonderful. If you want a good laugh, check out my first Nuno felting on my blog at www.flossiekatskorner.blogspot.com. I don't know if I did it right or wrong but I had fun!!!

x said...

Looks really fabulous, would like to see a tutorial for this....I am starting with felting in a few days....:-)

Suzanne Morgan said...

I love using the sander, especially on habotai, however, be sure to wear protective gloves and earplugs if you use the sander alot!

Suzanne Morgan said...

I love using the sander, especially on habotai. Be sure to wear protective gloves (like motorcycle gloves) and wear earplugs if you use the sander alot!

sue pritchard said...

I am wondering if you put anything onto the base of the sander? Most of them have a rough surface onto which you place your sandpaper so did you have to cover this with anything?

Julie said...

Ive discovered this myself recently and find it fantastic as I have damaged my shoulder and can't do all the rolling. It works a treat. Love the colours in your scarf. Julie

Merry said...

WOW! can I order something like that from you? ♥