Process

So I need to stop making hats and focus on the dress. My issue has been how to represent the gorgeous texture of the moth body. They are furry little things as you can see.

I

I had thought that using rabbit fur would give a similar result. My samples showed that I can lift the pile of the rabbit fur but it would take a lot more rabbit fur than what I have to get a thick enough coating.

I then thought about the texture and thought about the fact that this will be seen from a distance on a stage and the audience needs to see the texture. So then  went on the path of looking at an effect that would give the impression of texture. So follow the next samples.

Colour is becoming an issue too as they are really just a cream colour but there are some tones of brown and mustard in there too. Do I dye the fibre and then felt...... or felt and then dye? These last two samples show one with just white on white and one with a dyed under layer with white on top. Also construction. I can't decide whether to make it in one with a resist or make the pieces and sew it together.
I'll just keep thinking I guess as I seem to be getting closer

Cyber Fibre Hat

I finally got round to making up the cyber fibre I spun a while ago. I did not go for the computer cosy but instead made a hat for the Hubby to wear at the winter magic festival in Katoomba in June. This festival is renowned for the hats everyone sports for the day. This is so not his style but I think he can manage it for one day.

Autumn Hat

I'm in a bit of a hat making mood which is nice but I really need to move onto making the moth dress I need to have ready in a about 4 weeks. 2 of which I will be away on holiday. I can see some all nighters in my future. In the meantime here's some pics of my Autumn hat.

Front AND back

Wow VV excited to receive my copies of the German Magazine "verFilzt und zugeNaht".  I made front and Back cover! I feel very honored to have been asked to do a profile for the mag. It is beautifully put together and I only wish it came out in english as I would love to read all the articles. They look so interesting.

Getting there

Still not finished. I'm knackered. After rolling till my arms nearly dropped off and my forearms were red raw yesterday I had to give up but went back to it this morning. The first photos show the wool and silk all laid out and wet down before the felting began. The next photo shows the hat pretty well shrunk with the template held up behind to show how much. I'm guessing it has shrunk by 40 to 50%.  I think I had about 9 or 10 layers in this hat. I wanted it to have more integral strength than the last big hat I did which relies on stiffening product to keep it's shape.
The fibre I used for most of the layers is a mystery roving someone gave me in a clean out. It was not too coarse but had alot of loft so I thought it may be good for something sculptural. I used merino for the final 3 layers with silk top and fine spun wool.
Next step is to shape and dry it. I will still have to stiffen it but I hope it will mostly hold it's own shape. I will be putting more loose silk around the cocoon after it is dry.
Then onto the moth!

coming along

I am always astounded at the size things have to be before they are felted. Here's the template and part way through laying out the hat. Looks interesting huh. No it's not a football hat.

Can you believe this?

OMG this is astounding I was mesmerised. I hope you will be too

Double double toil and trouble fire burn and Cauldron bubble

   Fillet of a fenny snake,
    In the caldron boil and bake;
    Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
    Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
    Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
    Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—
    For a charm of powerful trouble,
     Double, double toil and trouble;
    Fire burn, and caldron bubble. 

 This is the Mystery pot for my next big project.

BTW thanks to William for the words.

 

This is the clue .

Picture Perfect

  

Found this pic off another site. Don't know the origin but what a celebration of fibre!