Nuno Felting How To - About Additional Nuno Felting Techniques

In nuno felting, to save time, a sander can be used in the felting stage. Sanders are great for thin/delicate felting projects like nuno felting.

Warning: Use sanders to nuno felt at your own risk.

Safety: Sanders were not meant for use with water. There is always the risk of electrical shock. To protect yourself plug the sander into a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) outlet. If the area you are working in doesn't have a GFI outlet, buy a GFI outlet on an extension cord. Work on a rubber mat and/or wear rubber soled shoes. Wear rubber gloves. Use a double insulated sander. Double insulated means that the case of the tool is non-metallic. This insulates the user from the electrical wiring components. It does not protect the user from electrical shock if water gets into the electrical parts inside the sander. Do not use a sander that has holes in the pad. These holes are designed to suck the saw dust into a bag. Water could be sucked into the sander and cause electrical shock. In addition to protecting yourself from electrical shock, as with all power tools protect your hearing with ear plugs and be aware that excessive vibration can cause nerve damage. So don't use for prolonged periods of time.

Type of Sander: Finishing sander (also known as palm sander or pad sander). Do not use a sander that has holes in the pad. The sanders are used without sandpaper.

Preparing nuno felting projects: After nuno felting projects have been wet down, do not roll them. Work with nuno felting projects flat. Nuno felting projects should not be soaked or dripping. Make sure that there is no excess water in nuno felting projects. Use a sponge our towel to remove excess water. Nuno felting projects should be moist.

Using the sander: Use the sander in a pressing motion not an ironing motion on nuno felting projects (i.e. lift and reposition the sander, do not slide the sander). The idea is to hold the sander for a couple of seconds in each spot, working over the entire nuno felting project. Now is the time to experiment! The materials, type of sander, and protective layer can all make a difference. To start, try sanding the first time with the protective layer on the nuno felting project (checking the protective layer to make sure it doesn't stick) and try doing a second pass directly on the fibers. Check nuno felting projects to see if the felting stage is done. One pass over nuno felting projects may be enough or two or more passes may be required. If the nuno felting project is two sided, flip the project over and do the same process on the other side. Variations include using a different protective layer - tulle, sheer polyester curtain/drapery lining fabric (voile) , or plastic sheeting (try different weights); however heavier plastic sheeting may inhibit the fiber from passing through the fabric. Or try sanding directly on the fiber with no protective layer. Experiment and see what works.

In nuno felting, to save time, a washing machine can be used in the fulling stage. Using the washing machine is a shock fulling method.

Caution: Fulling nuno felting projects in the washing machine can be tough on the washing machine.

Preparing nuno felting projects for the washing machine: Place nuno felted projects in the center of a base fabric (a tightly woven fabric, such as sheer polyester curtain/drapery lining fabric (voile) or an old sheet). Do not use a rolling mat, plastic sheeting or protective covering. The base fabric should be larger than the project on all sides. To help keep the fulling even and eliminate the need to re-roll the project from opposite ends, create a tight smooth scroll. Roll a core (about 1" diameter) from the excess fabric on the two long sides of the nuno felting project, if necessary use additional base fabric to create a core, then continue rolling the project on each core meeting in the middle. Now secure the scroll so it doesn't come apart in the washing machine (you don't want fibers clogging the machine) remembering that as the fulling takes place the project shrinks. Tie the ends of the scroll, where there is no felt, tightly & securely. Where there is felt, tie the roll loosely & securely or pin the roll closed. Alternatively, stuff nuno felting projects into a panty hose leg to keep the roll secure.

Using the washing machine: Now is the time to experiment! Both front load (use low lather soap) and top load machines can work. However, in the top load machine (because of the center agitator) turn the roll around frequently to get more even fulling. In the front load machine this is not necessary. Experiment with wash cycles and timing, to find what works best. When using the washing machine check nuno felting projects often and re-roll until the desired result is achieved. If desired, do some final fulling by hand. Keep detailed notes, and future nuno felting projects will require less checking.

In nuno felting, to save time, a dryer can be used in the fulling stage. Using the dryer is a shock fulling method.

Caution: Fulling nuno felting projects in the dryer can be tough on the machine.

Preparing nuno felting projects for the dryer: Place nuno felted projects in the center of a base fabric (a tightly woven fabric, such as sheer polyester curtain/drapery lining fabric (voile) or an old sheet). Do not use a rolling mat, plastic sheeting or protective covering. The base fabric should be larger than the project on all sides. To help keep the fulling even and eliminate the need to re-roll the project from opposite ends, create a tight smooth scroll. Create two cores; create each by rolling up a wet towel. Use a core on each long side of the nuno felting project, rolling the project around the cores to create a scroll, meeting in the middle. Now secure the scroll so it doesn't come apart in the dryer (you don't want fibers clogging the machine) remembering that as the fulling takes place the project shrinks. Tie the ends of the scroll, where there is no felt, tightly & securely. Where there is felt, tie the roll loosely & securely or pin the roll closed. Alternatively, stuff nuno felting projects into a panty hose leg to keep the roll secure.

Using the dryer: Now is the time to experiment! Experiment with heat settings and timing, to find what works best. When using the dryer check nuno felting projects often and re-roll until the desired result is achieved. If desired, do some final fulling by hand. Keep detailed notes, and future nuno felting projects will require less checking.

In nuno felting, a washboard can be used in the final stages of fulling. Using the washboard is a shock fulling method. Use a glass washboard or a glass washboard covered with a protective layer( i.e. tulle), and gently rub nuno felting projects on the washboard. A tight skin will form on the nuno felt. Metal washboards tend to corrode, so use a glass one. However, glass washboards are sharp, so be careful.