Felting on Linen : a Tutorial or Experiment in Fiber Art

Have you ever had a moment when you wanted desperately to combine two of your favorite things and make something twice as wonderful. I have been wanting to combine felt making and linen for a very long time but finally got the chance to experiment with this on Sunday. I did a google search and could not find anything on the subject. I have felted onto wool, silk and organza before but never linen or cotton. I will lead you through the process and you can see for yourself the result of my little experiment and draw your own conclusions about its success. What you will need if you decide to experiment yourself will be natural linen , wool roving ( I used the wool sent to me by Maria ) , some handspun or commercial wool yarn, bubble wrap, a spray bottle with hot water and a little liquid soap, a thick wooden dowel is helpful but not necessary. Step 1 : Lay two pieces of bubble wrap on your working surface about 2 inches longer and wider than the piece of linen that you will be felting on. Step 2: With your wool roving you have chosen. Tease apart little whisps and lay them on the fabric in whatever pattern you want. Then lay the wool yarn on top of this. Step 3: Lay the piece of linen over this . Step 4: Make another pattern with teased whisps of roving on the surface of the linen. Step 5: Spray the surface with the hot soapy water. Step 6: Cover the surface with another layer of bubble wrap. Step 7: Take a wooden dowel or just role it up without one . This is the fun part . All you need to do is roll it back and forth for a few minutes on a hard surface. Unroll it and then roll it up again in the other direction ( ie widthwise and then lengthwise) . Put on some good rolling music and continue to alternate rolling direction for at least 4 times in each direction. Step 8: If your experiment worked the wool will be adhered to the surface of the linen and you can now rinse off the soap with some hot water from the tap , gently squeezing the fabric . Step 9: Hang your fabric to dry. Step 10: Enjoy the result of your experiment as it is or use this beautiful fabric to make something like a pillow or bag. I haven't decided what I will do with mine yet but I love how it turned out. I am going to make a linen felted scarf using this method next time. Don't forget to guess on the nature inspiration #5. There have been some really fantastic answers so far but I am hoping for something more specific. Don't forget you can answer as many times as you like.

Comments

[Rane]

wow this is a great idea! How did
you decide to use your great wool
in such a way? I would be worried
that it would not work, I guess
I often don't always try things I
should because I am scared it will
not work. I did make the kids
costumes this year! Whew I am
tired! I didn't know if I would
finish!
I love the finished product
though! Maybe you could leave
it and make a apron? Or maybe a
a draw string bag for wine?
Oh that reminds me or the cloth
my mother and grandmother would
wrap gifts in... very nice,
BEAUTIFUL!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[mayaluna]

Wow! double WOW!!! My two faves also, I never would have imagined...never could have... speechless! This is gorgeous and I LOVE the scarf idea. Once again, wow!

[Lauren]

Oooh, that's beautiful! It's nice when experiments have pleasant results.

[Patricia]

Thanks so much for another inspiring tutorial! I think the piece looks wonderful with the light streaming through it. How about a curtain panel?

[Anneli/Bockfilz]

Oh - you really do the most amazing and wonderful things, I really admire your art! And the stones ... I love stones, too, their weight, their surface, their colours ... Guess I have to link you! (And try out your crocheted stones for myself!)

[Rachel]

Wow, you just created something magical! Linking...

[Sonya]

I never thought of felting onto linen. It looks so wonderful. No wonder I love your blog, linen and wool are up there among my most favorite things as well.

[Whitney]

It looks beautiful!

[Whitney]

It looks beautiful!

[Elsita :)]

Margie, this is a really great idea. i also LOVE linen and felt and they look so amazing together, the last pictures are magic with the light passing through the piece. You always come out with the most unexpected experiments! And the results are always amazing.
lOVE!
Elsita :)

[Oh Suzanna]

Nuno felt is usually done on thin gauzy fabric but it will also work on any loosely woven cloth.
To check if a fabric is suitable hold it a couple of inches from your face and blow (as if putting out a candle)- if you can feel your breath through it - it should work.
I've had fantastic results felting through old lace, and through large mesh plastic net!

[Beth Grim]

Thanks for the inspirational post. The light shining thru looks so awsome; I want to try it and use the fabric for curtains!

[corina]

I had to try it, and my daughter (she is 4) had to help me:) Thank you!