DIY Network

Tapered Felt Vessel When is a hat not a hat? When it's a felted vessel! From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-157

Janet Collins creates a vessel by using a hat form to guide her felting.

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	Tapered Felt Vessel
	Tapered Felt Vessel: variations

Materials:

100% wool in assorted colors
hat form
small piece of foam, about 3"x5"
felting needles (at least two in case one breaks), size 36 or 38
(optional) multineedle holder with needles, size 36 or 38
ribbon, beads or other embellishments
needle and thread for attaching embellishments
scissors to cut ribbon, thread, etc.
tape or marker

1. Set the hat form on the table; the rounded edges are the bottom. Draw a straight line down the side of the hat form (or use tape to mark it). Go halfway around the form and draw another straight line down the side. These marks will define the temporary side edges.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

2. Layer thin strips of wool on the hat form horizontally between the lines and over the entire bottom of the form. Needle lightly as you go to hold them in place (figure A).

3. Layer thin strips of wool on top of this layer, going vertically between the lines and over the entire bottom of the form. Needle lightly as you go to hold them in place.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at least two more times. The more layers you add, the thicker and firmer the vessel will be (figure B).

5. Avoiding the areas within 1" of the lines, needle the wool all over until it's very firm and smooth. Pay special attention to the top edge, which will form the rim of the vessel.

6. Gently slide your hand between the wool and the hat form, peeling the wool off of the form.

7. Hold the wool up to the light and see whether there are any thin spots. If so, replace it on the hat form and patch it by needling a bit more wool onto the thin spot. Remove it from the form.

8. Set the vessel on the table. Working on one side at a time, overlap the temporary side edges about 1" and, using the small piece of foam inserted in the vessel as protection, needle the overlapped areas until they're smooth and solid (figure C).

9. Repeat on the other side, overlapping the same amount so the taper will be even.

10. Needle a small amount of wool over both side seams to smooth any edges.

11. Adorn the vessel with ribbon and beads or other notions.

RESOURCES :

Hat form
Website: www.hookedonfelt.com

Felting needles
We apologize no further information is available.

Roving
Website: www.livingfelt.com

GUESTS :

Janet Collins
E-mail: writewords7@hotmail.com