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BOWL FELTING

MATERIALS YOU NEED :20 plastic bagsOld Towel, sheet,Net (larger than the size of felt you want to make, bridal voile is best)ApronBubble WrapCotton ties/string for tying up the roll of felt.Soap, grater or liquid soap (ecover delicates) For Soap SolutionFill jug with boiling water and 2/3 tablespoons of grated soap (stir to mix).Add this solution to the milk bottle and top up with cold water so that it’s hand hotJugOld plastic milk bottle with holes punched into the topBroom handle/rolling pin or pipe lagging tube.Felt in the colours you like.

Draw your design template or just play with the colours first. Allow for 1/3 shrinkage.

1.Lay out design first onto a shape cut out from bubble wrap. Weave in segments of merino wool together.

2.Think about what wools and silks you want on the top layer of your bowl. Bear in mind your bowl will be viewed from all directions.Pull out small lengths of combed tops and lay over the template so the wool overlaps by a few cm.

N.B – remember the first layer will be the outside of your bowl and the last layer will be the inside.

3. Cover the first layer with net. Wet down and turn over. Remove the net carefully. Fold the edges over onto the template and start the whole process again. You will eventually need 3 or 4 layers, folding the edges over each time. Each layer will be at 90 degrees to the last. The last layer will be the inside. N.B to add more colour, use complementary colours.

4. Wet out fibres with soap solution. Rub gently for 10 minutes. , Paying special attention to the detailed areas in the centre – leaving the edges.

5. Gently remove the net and turn over, do the same process on the other side, rub until fairly hard.

6. Slit the top with a pair of scissors.7. Turn the bowl inside out and take away the bubble wrap from the interior of the bowl.

8.Stuff in as many plastic bags as you can to give the bowl its shape. Wrap and tie in an old pillow case.

9. Wash the bowl in the machine at 40 degrees.10 . When finished, dry the bowl with the bags inside so that it keeps its shape.

MATERIALShttp://www.winghamwoolwork.co.ukALI’S BLOGhttp://feltgoodfeltfine.com/wordpress/ⒸCopyright 2011: A Rabjohns. All rights reserved.