The wool-covered resist.
The finished skirt (silk side 'out').
My beautiful daughter, L, as model.
Recently, my friend Mariana made a couple of wonderful felt skirts...
...and it inspired me to try some of my own!
I began with a skirt that fits me well...
...and drafted a pattern 1 and 1/2 times as large.
Since Mariana does not use any zippers or elastic at the top, but merely pulls the skirt up over her hips...
...I needed to make a slight indentation near the top in order to create a waistline.
I used several layers of wool roving (one would have been enough)...
...and silk gauze for the foundation.
After some intense felting (felting a piece this large is pretty demanding!!)...
...I cut out the resist and finished the skirt.
Unfortunately, because I used so much fiber...
...the skirt is thick and a bit too rigid.
I think it would be the perfect garment to wear over leggings to shovel snow...
...or perhaps it will be transformed into another 'something' altogether!
In my next post, I will show you my second skirt attempt...
...and this one I've actually worn! :)
16 comments:
dear heather, last september i learnt in scotland how to make firm thin felt.
make thin layers. one side a thin layer, wet it without soap with hot water, turn. the other side the same way. next layer in opposite direction, and so on,. you use 3 or 4 layers. after that, you put it between bubble wrap and give it a good gentle massage (soap your hands)
than roll it gently in each direction about 15 times. cut the resist out and than felt it untill proper consistancy. hope you understand what i mean. otherwise, give me a call.love and succes, riet:)
I think this oen is absolutely beautiful! I made them quite thin ... I think 2 or 3 thin layers, just cos wool is warm and too thick would mean "oven!". However... you know with the season coming, excellent to wear that and you won't be cold outside!
I still wear them without zippers. I had to "wash" one, or actually re wet it and "make it shrink" a bit because with the use it had gotten a bit stretched... but now it's back to a good size.
You know, looking at the pic there, and because this is nuno, maybe the skirt will hold it's shape easier (without the re wetting later like I've had to do). so maybe a zipper could work... or as I see it there with the top rolled down a bit, you could sew that section and put a string... ideas... this is all experimental really!
I feel like making some more, a long one, but I have a small show to prepare in a week and Im busy with other stuff then!
I want to see the other one!!!
I made a rigid scarf the other day. Perhaps we could start a new fashion
LOL....The first garment I made was a coat. It is soooooooo thick and heavy I doubt I would wear it in Alaska with -50 degree weather =-)
But since then...I go for the single layer criss-cross (Inge Bauer style) much better for drape. I'll be back to see the second.
Dear ladies--Thanks for the tips and stories of your own felt mishaps! We certainly are all in this together, aren't we?? XXOO-
Hello Heather, Thank you so much for lovely, kind comment.
I love your felting, the only thing I have ever tried with felt is making balls. They were fine from one side but had what looked a bum on the other. I haven't tried since.
Take care.
x
Thanks for joining the giveaway - I have been advised not to send the eucalyptus leaves abroad tho or fumigation might occur! Sorry ;(
I've just had such an enjoyable read of your felt journey, you really are an intrepid felter! I did a workshop making huge felt flowers with lots of added embellishment in the middle & discovered if you put the pin in the wrong place they appear a floppy mess. I too have had bums in my balls!!
Beautiful!
With the cold Winter coming, that extra heavy skirt may be worn more than you think.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Now I know where you are too.
Andrea
Good morning Heather,
Well, I think today would be the day to pull that beautiful warm skirt out, and pair it with some nice warm tights or leggings...I just opened the door to let the dog outside and Brrrrrrr...It's mighty cold outside! Can't wait to see skirt #2.
Hope you're having a great weekend.
Big hugs,
Dawn
Hi Heather,
A felted skirt! What a cool project.
Thanks for stopping by my blog because it allowed me to find yours.
Very best,
Lois
what a gorgeous skirt Heather. I hope all is good with you and yours x
Excellent first attempt. I find clothing a bit tricky, especially for shaping an item. Do your layers and then perhaps use tepid water until they start to integrate and then warmer, soapier water when you are really fulling? Dye the silk chiffon a fun color(s) so you can make it reversable....I'm attempting a tunic for myself this week. Fingers crossed!
If the skirt is too rigid, maybe it would make a nice lap robe? Keep the drafts away while you snuggle up on the couch, reading on cold Winter nights. :)
Your spirit of adventure is fun to watch, and I am so glad you share it with all of us. :)
Dear Heather, I would wear it over trousers or another skirt.
Thanx for your comment in my felt blog. I'd like to invite you to my felt blog in English: www.cornit-felt.blogspot.com
Have a nice evening
Corinna
Fiber Taming Felt Artist :-)
Thanks for all of your wonderful
comments!!
I feel happier about Skirt #2, so
I hope you will check out Monday's post and see my 'new, improved version'!! Har.
Hi Heather, I just lay out my first skirt, i am very excited. My teacher said, just lay out one layer!! So I follow her instruction, When it is ready I shall post it on my blog.
Have a nice day, Els
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