DIY Network

Starry Night Wall Hanging A classic painting is reinterpreted as a felted work of art. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-220

The Massachusetts-based Artisan Women of Worcester reinterpret the classic Vincent Van Gogh painting "Starry Night" as a crafty fiber-art wall hanging.

advertisement

Dharia McGrew shows how to dye the wool needed for the needle-felted wall hanging.

Dyed Wool

Dyed Wool

Materials:

acid dye powders
face mask (if mixing dyes from powder)
rubber gloves
2 gal. hot water
2 Tbsp. table salt
2 c. white vinegar
Synthrapol (detergent)
white wool roving, 1/2 lb.
assorted plastic containers for each color of dye (approximately 32 oz. each)
gallon measure
measuring cups
large pot or bucket for the water solution
plastic wrap
microwave
sink and water (to rinse the dyed wool)
bottles or Mason jars (for concentrated dye stocks)
spoons
paper towels
funnel
apron

Figure A

1. Make concentrated dye stocks by mixing the dye powder with hot water (figure A).

2. Make a dye bath by mixing 2 gal. hot water, 2 Tbsp. salt and 2 c. white vinegar.

3. Pull off sections (about 1 oz.) of the white roving for each color that will be dyed.

4. Let the roving soak in the dye bath while you prepare the dyes (5-10 minutes).

5. Remove the roving from the dye bath and squeeze out the excess liquid; set the roving aside.

6. Place 2 c. of the dye bath in plastic containers (use a separate container for each color).

7. Mix the dye solutions into the dye bath until it reaches the desired color and strength. Bright colors need more dye; for pastel colors use less dye and add more bath solution.

8. Add the dampened roving to each dye container and cover with plastic wrap.

9. Microwave each container at 2-minute intervals (if the wool gets too hot, it will felt) until the dye is absorbed and the solution runs clear.

10. Remove the wool roving and rinse with warm water until no more dye washes out.

11. Hang the roving to dry.

Starry Night Wall Hanging

Starry Night Wall Hanging

Sarah Brueck Stallings and Dayna Mankowski work on felting the wool, and it begins to form into the picture.

Materials:

custom-dyed wool roving
a piece of felt large enough to use as your canvas (wool felt is preferable to polyester felt)
foam pad, approx 18"x18"x 3"
felting needles
pet brush
chalk
print of Van Gogh's "Starry Night" for reference
iridescent Mylar strips (used for packing gift boxes and baskets; can be found in gift-wrap section of craft stores)
glass seed beads, size 8/o-11/o
black size-B Nymo nylon thread
beading needles
crystals
wood frame
thumbtacks

1. Cut a piece of felt about 1" larger than the anticipated finished size of the wall hanging.

2. Organize all the dry dyed wool on the worktable; this will be the palette of colors.

3. Use chalk to sketch in the design (figure B); then start laying out tufts of wool on the felt according to the colors in the image (figure C).

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

4. Using a felting needle, begin felting the tufts of wool in place, making sure the piece of foam is under the area you're felting (figure D). Needle-felting consists of repeatedly jabbing the wool with a felting needle until the fibers have compacted and attached to the felt underneath.

5. Add more layers of wool to achieve the desired color effect.

Note: You can blend colors of wool with the pet brush, much in the same the way a drum carder is used to "comb" fibers in the same direction before wool is spun into yarn.

6. Add the stars, the outline of the mountains and any fine color details last.

	Figure E
	Figure F

7. Iridescent Mylar strips are blended with the wool and added as a last felting step; this Mylar-wool blend is felted to the sky to add a "starry" look. (The Mylar won't adhere in the felting process, so thin layers of roving are needed to assist in the felting.)

8. Glass seed beads are added to the tree and to the village buildings to help define their shapes (figure E). Use a beading needle threaded with Nymo thread to sew glass beads to the piece, 4 at a time.

9. Sew crystals onto the stars to make them stand out.

10. Add sequins to highlight different features of the image (figure F).

11. Tack the entire piece onto a wood frame with thumbtacks and leave it uncovered (i.e., with no glass in the frame) so the texture can be seen and touched.

GUESTS :

Sarah Brueck Stallings
Website: www.3catnite.com

Dharia McGrew
Website: www.skeintilyclad.com

Dayna Mankowski
Websites: www.craftyscientist.com