3rd Quarter Challenge
This quarter has flashed by for me between traveling and taking classes. When I originally thought of the dimension theme, I had something different in mind to accomplish. But as timing would have it, the Kristy Kun’s Texture Techniques with Heavy Needled Wool fell right into the quarter. A few weeks ago Terri Simon aka Meterrilee shared her work with us from the class in this blog. https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2016/09/16/guest-artist-terri-simon-on-dimensional-felt/
It took me a little longer to finalize my projects, but I would say they definitely qualify for dimensional felt.
For the first project the objective was to learn to add vertical prefelt to a square background. There were three different heights of the prefelt and I had no specific plan. I just played with it to try to learn the technique which is much different than anything I’ve done before in wool. I made some mistakes, but learned a lot in the process.
Here is a side view to show the height. This piece probably could have been worked a little longer to smooth it out more and I may try again. But I had to move on to my other projects.
The second project involved joining pieces to each other and being able to use colored batts.
The last project was the flower. This one took the most time and attention. Each petal had to be worked separately a number of times at different stages. It was a very mindful and intense process, but well worth the effort.
For this project there were two sizes of prefelt and a number of different examples of flowers or the ability to create your own. Since I was concentrating on learning the technique, I chose to follow an example. But with all felt projects even though you may be following an example, the end result can be different.
I really enjoyed the class and learning such a different technique. And of course, creating dimension in a unique way. Thanks Kristy for a great class!
Have you finished your 3rd quarter challenge yet? If not, there is still time.
20 thoughts on “3rd Quarter Challenge”
Wow, Marily, this is fabulous! I bet it takes a long time to make all these elements stand up, especially the flower. All your examples are wonderful each in its own way. The coloured one reminds me of spoons.
I don’t think I’ll join this challenge, maybe the next one.
Thanks Nada! It is a very specific, labor intensive process with a lot of different elements of preparation. The thick prefelt comes in strips which have to be cut and arranged.
Yes, I guess the “tulips” do look like spoons. 🙂
The dimension challenge can be many different things. I’m sure you’ve seen what others have done on the forum. Many of the projects you’ve done would qualify as well. If not, the next challenge is coming right up.
Lovely work, Marilyn! That last flower is a masterpiece. Where will you display it?
Thanks Leonor! I’m not sure if I will try dyeing it first. It’s only about a ten inch square. That one I may have professionally framed. But it will definitely be displayed.
Ooh, dyeing it could make it even more stunning! You could also use pastel colours in powder form and paint it… even if you leave it as is, it definitely deserves displaying 🙂
I thought about painting it it but it would change the texture of the felt which is strong, but still a nice smooth finish. I’m trying to figure out the best way to dye it. But I first have other projects to finish. 🙂
Each sculpture is a work of art. Kudos to you for staying with the difficult process of working with thick felt. I might be tempted to display all three in a series.
Thanks Cathy! Now there’s an idea I hadn’t thought of. Although the flower kind of steals the show. Perhaps someday I’ll do a series of different flowers. It was well worth the time and effort to learn this technique.
That looks like a lot of work Marilyn! I take my hat off to you. The flower is very impressive – how long did it take you to make? Would it take to a dip-dye?
Thanks Lyn! It did take a lot of time and physical work. I didn’t keep track because I worked on it piece meal between travel and other commitments. But I’d guess a week or more. I can’t work more than four or five hours at a time. I was glad I finished the other two projects before attempting the flower. I’m sure that was by design to get practice. Many of the participants (probably younger) finished each project within the week designated.
Yes, it can be dyed. I’m debating that.
Wow, very impressive Marilyn. I think the flower would look really neat dyed. Especially if you used a gradation type of dyeing where the center was lighter or darker and moved to lighter or darker petals as you moved out.
Thanks Ruth! I’d love to do that, but not sure how. I also don’t want to screw it up. 🙂
Hi Marilyn! I really like how your flower turned out…the tight, curled in center petals, then the mature outer petals. It’s very natural looking. I am extremely interested to know how to do Ruth’s suggestion to die the flower in an ombré fashion! That would be really beautiful. Dying is something I have zero experience with, but I would love to try it.
I mounted my flower yesterday on a small 4×4 canvas frame purchased from Joann Fabrics. I wrapped the edges to the back and used a staple gun to secure them. The corners were really tricky though, and I’m not delighted with how they look. The felt is so thick, that even with trimming excess, it was hard to get the corners nice and smooth. Has anyone else tried wrapping their felt on a frame? If yes, how did you handle the thick corners?
Thanks Terri! I’d love to see how your framed flower turned out. I personally haven’t wrapped any canvases, but plenty of other people on the forum have. You can post a question there and I’m sure you’ll get help. Yes, our backgrounds are very thick. Had you thought of matting it in a larger frame?
I’m going to research dyeing the flower. I’ll let you know I if I do and how it turns out. I’m sure someone has some experience with this type of dyeing.
Wow, it does look like a great class. I may have to give it a try. You flower is amazing. I would be terrified to dye it encase I ruined it.
Thanks Ann! Yes, I feel the same.
It is very strong felt. I’ve never made anything like it. Kristy said it could be dyed. I’ll see how brave I get.
It was a great class learning different techniques.
Beautiful! I love the blue background in the tulip-spoons (😉). Displaying them all together is a great idea.
Thanks! They each have their own personality. It was fun experimenting.
Great pieces, Marilyn 🙂
I love Lyn’s and Ruth’s ideas of dyeing, I don’t know if I’d dare if it was mine though, maybe after a few practice pieces!
Thanks Zed! I will definitely try it on something else first. After all the work I put into it I don’t want to ruin it. :-0. I first have to decide what method may work best and what look I want. I liked the idea of gradation of color, but… How to do it is another story.