I have a needle felting machine but I really am at a loss as to how to use it to embellish clothes. Is regular yarn the same as yarn roving? Is there a good book that explains more about needle felting, and not just making stuffed animals and flowers? I would like some embellishing ideas and some guidance. Help.
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Replies
No, roving is fiber that is ready to spin into yarn.
You can felt yarns, but it is more difficult because some yarns have been processed to not felt (i.e. not shrink in the wash).
Also, you have to be careful when you felt wool to cloth, as the wool shrinks, and that's how it felts. This will pucker the fabric a LOT. I have seen some very interesting fabrics that used the pucker to their advantage, but they were usually scarves or shawls, because the process is hard to control. I also thought it was more of a curiosity. I just didn't think it looked very good. Why go to all the trouble if it doesn't have the wow factor?
Berna
Linda MacPhee showed a swing coat with needle felting on the lapels at a workshop I attended last Saturday. It was a free-form design and a great accent for the coat. Check out these Flickr photos for a blouse with the front panels made from silk doupioni that was distressed with a needle felting machine. Janome shows a blouse with this technique but the picture doesn't show the detail.
Joanne
thank you. I appreciate your help.
wow! That is one fantastic blouse. I will definitely try this technique with my embellisher once I get a chance to sit down and spend time with my new toy. Great inspiration. Thanks, solo
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