DIY Network

Four-Square Wall Art A series of organic designs combine to make a striking wall hanging. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-157

Marie Spaulding creates a four-panel wall hanging by felting the background of the panels, adding a design and wet-felting to give them a smoother look.

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Four-Square Wall Art

Materials:

100% wool roving in 3-5 complimentary colors (approximately 3 oz. for each square)
12"x12" foam slab for work surface
felting needles: 38 star and 40-gauge triangle, multineedle tool with 38 star needles
fabric scissors
wooden dowel
cotton or canvas fabric
sewing needle
thread
picture wire and hooks
optional: prefelts, wool yarn

Materials for wet-felt finish (optional):

towels
warm water
dish soap
mesh netting or cloth shower curtain
bamboo blind or bubble wrap

Note: The images shown below are for one square; simply repeat to make multiple squares.

Design #1

Design #2

Design #3

Design #4

1. Draw the rough designs and color ideas out on paper. The four squares can be similar, opposites or exact, or you can just go abstract and forget the design all together. Draw a 10"x10" square on the foam; this will be the size of the finished pieces.

2. To create the base layer, layer wool in the chosen colors vertically and extend just 1/4"-1/2" past the 10x10 border. Create a second layer going horizontally and a third layer going diagonally. Add a final layer going vertically.

3. Begin lightly needle-felting the entire piece with the multineedle tool (figure A), going methodically from one side to the other. Repeat step 2, then needle-felt the entire area.

4. Gently peel the piece from the foam (figure B), turn it over and cut the edges with the fabric scissors to make a clean edge.

Figure A

Figure B

Adding the Design

1. Cut desired shapes out of paper (figure C).

2. Layer the wool in three opposing layers on the foam pad and lightly needle-felt with the multineedle tool, leaving the edges fairly loose.

3. When the piece is just holding together, place it on the paper pattern and cut out the shape (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

4. Once all the shapes are ready, place them on the wool base (figure E) and needle-felt them into place (figure F).

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

5. Continue needle-felting until the pieces are well blended at all edges and holding together well (figure G). Add any textural designs -- e.g., wool yarn, pencil rovings or small wool prefelts -- as desired.

If you wish, you may wet-felt the piece. This step isn't necessary, but it does produce a smooth, finished look. For wet-felting instructions, see the section titled "Wet-Felting.".

RESOURCES :

New Zealand Corriedale wool
Website: www.livingfelt.com

GUESTS :

Marie Spaulding
Websites: www.mariespaulding.com
www.livingfelt.com