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Melting felt
I'm at it again! I bought a new heat gun today, oh my, oh my, oh my. I had *NO* clue that what I had before was a pale imitation of one. Now I know why my fabric melting experiments never worked out as well as I thought they would. But tonight's experiment was FANTASTIC .. I am *so* happy with it!
The latest Quilting Arts magazine had an article on Stitch and Felt. It was pretty simple and comes out looking stunning so I thought I'd give it a go. The base of the fabric is Kunin felt. I thought Kunin felt was some exotic felt until I went to their web site and realized it's the little squares that you buy in the craft store. I can even find that up here in Alaska! I think you can get it in bigger pieces too. The instructions said to stamp a design with fabric paint - so I stamped some flowers. Then you satin stitch around the edges so you have a border that won't melt away. After that you free motion embroider the piece - really heavily on the flowers and enough to tie it all together elsewhere. Notice the felt is a nice light blue. Until you hit it with the heat gun. Oh boy, that was a blast - the new heat gun withered that felt away - I couldn't believe it. BUT, BUT, BUT .. it stinks and you really need to wear a respirator because it puts off fumes. I need to buy one before I kill myself. Anyhow - isn't the lacy piece awesome? See how the color changed? I love this! I bought 10 pieces of felt today so I can see a lot of practicing. I promise to get a respirator first, okay?
For just a minute there my brain totally FROZE - well, after ALL, it's only 4:20 a.m., LOL! - and for the LIFE of me, I couldn't ADD in order to post this. Goodness! Anyway, I would never have thought about melting felt! Very pretty, too! Hmmm ... I've got enough felt here to open a store. Maybe ... NAW! Toxic fumes I don't need! Heehee! I'll leave heat guns, experiments, and beautiful end-results to YOU!
Posted by: kai at March 10, 2006 1:24 AMThat is stunning Judi. Mmmm now my mind is working as to how I am going to get my hubby to buy me a heat gun. Once I have duped him to do so when am I going to use it/. Have to get him out of the house or else he will think I am trying to kill myself and him or burn the house down.
Posted by: Shashi at March 10, 2006 3:14 AMvery cool! Now I want to try. But I need the heat gun and respirator. I do have loads of the felt.
Posted by: Maryellen at March 10, 2006 8:07 AMJudi-one word AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it....
Now I have to run out and buy the magazine. I know you've probably been playing with this technique all day long. Have fun for me...
Nat
Posted by: Natalie at March 10, 2006 1:23 PMOh my, I don't have that issue yet. I love it!!!What an interesting piece. I can't wait to see what you do with it.
Posted by: Sandra Corson-walker at March 10, 2006 1:30 PM I can't believe the difference between your first and second pictures. As soon as the new Quilting Arts arrives I shall nip over and get it. You'd think Peterborough is the Back of Beyond - everybody seems to get their magazines before our Chapters does (subscription, maybe?)
What model of heat gun did you get? Mine is about three years old.....
KAthy
Darn you Judy-- Now I will have to try that You make everything --so interesting--BUt I think I will wait for summer so I can work where I wont kill myself --or anyone else THat is REALLY gorgeous WHo would have thot???
Posted by: jan Demetralis at March 10, 2006 8:08 PMEven if it's raining cats and dogs again tomorrow, I'm going for a het gun. I looked for one today and they were out at Joanne's. felt I have tons, but I need the gun now that I see the fabulous work you've discovered for us. Thank you Judi.
Posted by: velia at March 10, 2006 9:36 PMWow!!!! I really like the effect that you achieved with the heat gun. It's amazing what synthetic fabrics will end up to be with just heat. Hmmm, I know that I have a heat gun somewhere - I'll have to try this great technique this week! Thanx for the before and after shots. :-)
Yes ... you MUST get a respirator to ward against the toxic fumes.
Posted by: Tami at March 10, 2006 10:07 PMWow that is so cool....
If I didn't already have a chest cold I'd be trying it right now....
Hugs,
LindaKay
Judi:
You mentioned April's Issue? No Way, all I found was Winter's. The cover reads: Hot tips for fusing fabrics. Is that the one????
Velia
Your piece is really beautiful, but I am interested in how it feels. Is the melted felt hard like solid plastic and rough where melted? If it has a soft face and is flexible, I am thinking of embroidering a full yard piece and then cut out a little jacket for my niece (1 yr).
Posted by: Melanie Grube at May 5, 2008 1:09 PM
Make your own version of Judi's dolls.
Many patterns available!
