Wet Felted Witches Hat with Green Inside

Description

This witches hat is wet felted.  This is the first project that I have posted that uses a “resist” to make.  I start by making a pattern for the hat out of a thick plastic material that is used in flooring.  I carefully lay out one thin layer of wool fibers over the resist so the fibers go over the edge about an inch.  I wet that down with some soapy water, pressing out all the air along the way.  I cover that with plastic and flip it all over quickly but carefully.  I then wrap the fibers around the resist and complete the process.  This layer of fibers will be the inside of the hat (in this case I used a green color).

After the first layer has been added to both sides of the resist, I complete the process again changing colors to the outer part of the hat.  I hand blend the outer color with a combination of black, brown, purple and burgundy, as well as different shades of blues and greens.  Finally, I add a layer of embellishments.  On the witches hats I use Angelina fiber, Sari Silk Waste, Viscose Top, Tussah Silk, and Silk Hankies.  These embellishments help to give the hat some shine and texture.

After the lay out is complete, I make sure it is completely wet, soapy and that all air has been pressed out.  Next I slowly start rubbing it lightly.  After a bit, more pressure is added.  Eventually I begin to roll the piece, covered in plastic, over a PVC pipe.  It gets rolled back and forth in different ways to help agitate the fibers.  Eventually this action will cause the fibers to integrate and make a fabric.  As this happens it will shrink more than the resist will allow so I will remove the plastic and start to shape it, making sure it will stand up and have a brim.

It will get rinsed and as it dries I will block it to help keep the shape.  I will also use an iron on it throughout the drying process as it will help with shaping.  It takes about 4-4 1/2 hours to make a hat, not counting drying time.

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