How can I make a felted boulder?
May 22, 2010 1:08 AM Subscribe
How could I make a felted rock cushion like those made by Ronel Jordaan?
I'm in love with the enormous felted boulders made by South African designer Ronel Jordaan and her amazing women's workshop. Unfortunately, though I'm really amazed by what she does, I don't have the financial means to buy her rocks. I want to make my own, but I'm not sure how.
They are BIG- some several feet in diameter. Gig enough that my needle felting and wet felting skills seem pitifully inadequate (the largest thing I've hand-felted was a hat, though I have made lots of 3" diameter rock pebbles) for the task.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I have moderate fiber skills and do lots of needle felting, but I don't know where to start with a project this big. Thanks!
I'm in love with the enormous felted boulders made by South African designer Ronel Jordaan and her amazing women's workshop. Unfortunately, though I'm really amazed by what she does, I don't have the financial means to buy her rocks. I want to make my own, but I'm not sure how.
They are BIG- some several feet in diameter. Gig enough that my needle felting and wet felting skills seem pitifully inadequate (the largest thing I've hand-felted was a hat, though I have made lots of 3" diameter rock pebbles) for the task.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I have moderate fiber skills and do lots of needle felting, but I don't know where to start with a project this big. Thanks!
Do you think starting with a foam core would be out of the question? It might provide a good starting point. Alternatively, you could start with a tightly-wrapped fleece core, and build on it in layers, like a rubber band ball.
If you want it to be shiny, Lana Grossa Chiara might be a solution. It's meant to be superwash, but would probably felt with some agitation. The halo comes off fairly easily with a sweater stone, and it's a fairly subtle shine.
posted by Mackerelly at 4:46 AM on May 22, 2010
If you want it to be shiny, Lana Grossa Chiara might be a solution. It's meant to be superwash, but would probably felt with some agitation. The halo comes off fairly easily with a sweater stone, and it's a fairly subtle shine.
posted by Mackerelly at 4:46 AM on May 22, 2010
Best answer: Looks like this is wet felted, rather than needled felted. And I'm guessing the smoothness is coming from the use of an electric sander. Check out how this crafter makes a hat with wet felting and a sander.
posted by dayintoday at 6:43 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by dayintoday at 6:43 AM on May 22, 2010
Best answer: Here you go. (This blog is felt-centric and awesome.)
posted by clavicle at 7:31 AM on May 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by clavicle at 7:31 AM on May 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by arnicae at 1:09 AM on May 22, 2010