NUNO FELTING

Nuno felting is another technique you can use to make spectacular products with your alpaca fiber. What is it? It is a Japanese felting technique that combines shear fiber and wool to make lightweight garments and other items. This type of felting is also known as lamintated felting.

With this technique you will need some type of lightweight, fairly open weave, natural fiber fabric. Suggestions for types of fabric to use are cotton cheesecloth, silk gauze, some organzas, and cotton voile. Do not use nylon. The fibers with not stick to it.

The benefit to making nuno felt is that you can make garments that aren't bulky when you sew a seam into them. The garments are, also, lighter to wear than felted wool alone, and they have a wonderful drapeability. When your wool shrinks during the process, you can end up with a very nice shirred look to the item. You will use a lot less of your fleece, too, making your precious alpaca blanket wool go farther.

We tried this felting technique with cotton cheesecloth and did not like the results. Silk gauze is much better. We feel the silk was easier to work with and had a better drape.

You will be able to see both wool and fabric in your final piece. If you dye your own wool, you can add some of your silk at the same time so that your base fabric matches your wool fiber.

Many felters make vests, jackets, and purses from laminated felting. We've, also, seen beautiful dresses made from this technique. You can embellish the finished product with beads, embroidery, or applique's. Try using fabric paint on the surface and see what happens. Remember, YOU have total control (isn't that wonderful to have control over something in your life?!).

We could make a video showing you the nuno technique, but there was already an excellent one on youtube, so we provided that here for you to watch.

Now that you see the technique and that it is fairly simple, you have a new felting arsenal for your alpaca fiber.

With nuno felting you can create some unique, lightweight garments and accessories that have a beautiful drape without the bulk of traditional felted items.

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