Getting to Know your FELTER/Episode 1

I'm starting a new series called, "Getting to Know your Felter" - who could that be?

I thought I would re-post this tutorial to "show & tell" how I make one of my Keepsake Bowls.

Stayed tuned for another episode coming to your computer shortly............................
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EPISODE 1 - tutorial on felting a bowl


Welcome!  This is my first tutorial and I will endeavor to make it as clear as possible.  Recently, I've been felting these little vessels.  I often add embellishments to make "tapestry bowls" and other times they're perfect as is.  I want to share the basic process with you hoping this will spur you on to try felting yourself.  If you're into cooking and baking you can surely transfer your skills. There are many sites and blogs that will show you how to do this..they certainly have helped guide me.  All felters will eventually find what tools and techniques work for them.  Many of the supplies listed below can be found in your kitchen and/or hardware store.  You can find the wool from many sellers on Etsy.

Materials
Any type of wool roving.  I use Merino in this example.

bubblewrap
rubber mat
tulle netting
wallpaper roller
rolling pin
large spoon
soap (liquid)
bamboo placemat
towels
sharp scissors
plastic grocery bags
plastic lid
crab mallet



Before we get started, here are several pictures of the finished product from this tutorial.  It's approx. 4" round, 2 1/2" tall and the openng is 2".  I decided to use off white wool roving as I'm going to make into a colorful tapestry bowl to match a rug in my bedroom.

What is a resist/template?  It is simply any pliable, yet capable of "resisting" water, material which prevents two layers of wool from felting together.   For this project, I used a top from a plastic container - the kind you get at the deli counter.  I cut the rim off.  It can be any size you want.

1.  Lay down your towel, mat, bubblewrap (bubbles up, please), tulle (netting) and lastly the resist.  The size of the resist determines how big the bottom of your vessel will be.

2.  Lay down small amounts of the wool around the resist to look like a pinwheel.  They should somewhat meet in the middle and extend about an 1' to 1 1/2" beyond the resist.  These will be the sides of your vessel.

As you can see, I've added alot because I want to make sure that I have substantial sides (you can't go wrong)

3.  Now it's time to add three layers onto where you can feel the resist is (you'll still be able to see it through the pinwheel fibers..or just pick them up and look).  The layers will be laid down perpendicular to eachother.  You can start horizontal or vertical.  This is done so they will grab onto eachother.  The color is funny here because it's easier for you to see (white on white - ugh?)  Here are two layers.  Add one more horizontal.

4.  I lay one more layer of pinwheel fibers as I did in step #2.  Wow, now look at this dense pile I've made! lots of air and fluff.

5.  I'll lay the tulle over the piece and in small amount pour very hot water just on the part that covers the resist.  I add a dab of the dish liquid.  Then I will rub my fingers around the edge of the resist - feeling with my fingers.

6.   I take a small piece of bubblewrap and go over this the entire circle/resist area for about two to three minutes...have to be careful not to move the fibers around too much because you just want the layers to mesh together and start to hold.  When finished, put a layer of bubblewrap ontop.

7.  Time's up and ready to flip the whole thing over.   You now see the resist with the pinwheel fibers behind it.  Take the fibers and gently fold them into the center and smooth them. I usually end up with a huge pile (if you should, it's OK).  Hmm, looks good enough to EAT!!!!! Smooth them down as much as you can.

8.  IMPORTANT:  START AGAIN!  To this mass of wet fiber, begin steps 2 - 7 .  Don't worry, it works.  You will end up with the picture above but on the other side.  These steps are all done to make sure you don't get holes and that it's frankly, just a nicely packed and happy little loaf!

9.  So, you've done it all and now it's time to be a real Pastry Chef!  Patty cake!  This is where you're actually doing the "felting".  The wool, with hot water, soap, some pressure and agitation, rolling, etc. is going to make you a bowl!  Put some music on and enjoy!

10. Here I'm picking up my cookie and going around the edge with bubblewrap.  You can put the tulle back over your piece for extra agitation.   I like to work from the outside of the cirlce inwards and I feel it's important to get the edges somewhat felted first.  Hot water and more.

11. I'm also going to go around the outside with my wallpaper roller to make sure I have a nice edge.  I will flip it over and do it again and again adding hot water.

12. If you get too many suds, rinse the tulle and bubblewrap under the tap.  Keep working around the edge. Take either a piece of bubblewrap or the roller and work towards the middle. You can roll towards the center going round and round.  The fibers will bunch up in a lump in the middle, but...

13. Here comes the rolling pin.  Gently roll it over the circle.  Feel like a gentle baker..turn it around and roll again..turn it over, roll again every so gently.  Notice, I have the bubblewrap on.

When I've worked it over using the rollingpin and wallpaper roller and I notice that it seems all in one piece (not alot of ridges where those pinwheel pieces were),  I'll add water and continue

to roll.