Close up of the beautiful textured surface and 'halo' edge around cut pre-felt shapes. This was one of my Y10 BTEC student's very first piece of nuno felt and when I put this photo online earlier this year one of the hashtags I gave it was
#theydon'tknowhowgoodthisis
Completed sample piece of nuno felt. Approx dimensions 40cmW 45cmH
Pic on the Left = Front side Pic on the Right = Reverse side.
I often like the Reverse side best!
When teaching beginners the Nuno Felting technique I prefer to use fine cotton turban muslin for the base fabric.
Merino wool tops. The students were shown how to pull off thin slivers from lengths of Merino 64's wool tops. These slivers were then laid in grid patterns and also around the edge of the muslin to create an interesting textured edge to their Nuno-Felt sample pieces.
With the right equipment and appropriate temperature water and suitable soap the nuno felting process is not as lengthy as people often think.
This photo shows some of the edge and surface details that are achieved with this interesting Textile Technique.
(But unfortunately my speedily taken photos don't do the work justice.)
The halo effect on the reverse of this students work is quite fuzzy and fluffy; this is because the pre-felt that she cut her shapes from was was only softly felted.
This Level 2 BTEC student added some hand-sewn detail to the edge of her lotus flower wallhanging; chainstitch in metallic red yarn.
Laying out merino wool fibres to make pre-felt. By using two colours of wool fibres you can make reversible pre-felt. It is also another way of getting even more interesting 'halo' edges
The Level2 BTEC module was titled 'Out of Asia'. These Y10 students' research included Primary Research at local Art Gallery and Museums and also images they sourced online.
The above image shows antique Kimono fabric and the paper template shapes that were inspired by it.
This student then used the templates to cut appropriate shapes from her pre-felt.
The above picture is of her final 'Out Of Asia' themed Wall-Hanging.
Approximate finished dimensions 60cmW X 80cmH
This student planned to add a central panel of handmade batik to his nuno felted wallhanging. He ensured that he used appropriate wool fibres (burgundy, sky blue and petrol blue) to compliment his Batik dye colours.
Interesting edging detail which combined wool Tops, metallic threads and cut shapes of pre-felt (which also incorporated metallic 'Twinkle' fabrics).
He also added thin whispy layers of wool fibres to both the reverse and also the right side of the muslin.
This student thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with the nuno felting technique!
Photo taken when the nuno-felt was still wet.
The bottom centre square is where the batik panel was later added.
By laying a thin layer of wool fibres over an area of the muslin a very attractive wrinkled surface texture is achieved.
This is because the wool fibres migrate through the spaces between the Warp and Weft threads of the woven muslin fabric.
Then as the felting process continues the wool fibres shrink; the cotton doesn't shrink but is dragged along (ruched up) by the wool fibres.
I am proud of the Y10 students work and really hope that they do realise how much they have achieved.
(Just to reiterate: these photos do not do the work justice!)
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