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  1. Frequenly Asked Questions about Blending Boards

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    FAQ: Why use a blending board?

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    A blending board creates a large carded area to make wool batts or rolags, offering ease of use and encouraging creativity.

    Can I card wool on the board?

    The board is covered with strong carding cloth, and is robust enough to card clean wool, locks may benefit from being hand loosened first if the curl in very tight.

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    Can I blend two colours into one?

    You can mix two colours on the blending board, a complete blend will take several times placing the wool on a board similar to carders where the fibres are passed between the two carders.

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    Can I repeat a blending board mix to create uniform rolags?

    Yes, you must weigh equal amounts of wool and fibres for each board and remember the approximate placement.

    Can I create large lofty batts or does it only create tight rolags? 2024-11-10 14.06.27

    The blending board can hold a lot of fiber and create large, lofty art batts.

    Is it safe for children?

    The blending board has sharp tines that can scrape the skin, so children under 12 need supervision.

    Do I have to be a spinner to use it?

    No, the blending board is useful for making batts for felting or spinning.

    Can you make roving/sliver with a blending board?

    Yes, once the board is full, you can remove wool with a diz to create roving/sliver or hand draft wool into roving.

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    Can I create pictures with a blending board?

    The blending board is good for creating a picture base or simple picture ready for finer detail.

    Can I use the board for wet felting or needle felting?

    Yes, the board can create a batt or roving for felting or a base for wet or needle felting.

  2. Step by step how to add glass eyes or felted eyes

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    Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add glass eyes to a felted animal:

     

    1. Choose the right size and type of glass eyes for your project. Make sure they are appropriate for the scale of your animal.

    2. Use a felting needle or awl to create a small hole in the right spot on the animal's face, ensuring it is the correct size and depth for the glass eye.

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    3. If needed, needle-felt a small indentation around the eye hole to create a socket that matches the eye's shape.

    4. Apply a small amount of clear drying glue to the back of the glass eye.

    5. Carefully push the glass eye into the socket from the front of the felted face.

    6. Gently press the wool around the eye to secure it in place and ensure a snug fit.

    7. Use needle-nose pliers to adjust the eye if necessary, being careful not to touch the glue.

    8. Once the glue is dry, you can add additional wool around the eye to build up the eyelids and blend the eye into the face.

    9. Optional: Add eyelashes using horsehair or embroidery floss for an extra touch of realism.P1040594

     

    When creating felted eyes:

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    1. Choose a suitable colour and size of wool roving for the pupil and iris.
    2. Create a soft ball of wool in the iris colour, and needle onto the head where you want the eye to be, go around the eye first to create a clear outline and shape
    3. Roll a small amount of the pupil colour into a soft ball and attach it to the middle of the iris area with a felting needle.
    4. Shape and blend the wool to create the eye's contour, using a barbed felting needle to secure it in place.
    5. Add additional details like eyelids and lashes as desired.

     

     For a more info on making felted eyes please see Helen Winter's article or Amanda at Fit to be Loved Felted eyes

  3. 5 Reasons to use a Blending Board

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    A blending board is a versatile tool that allows for the preparation of various textile fibres such as wool, alpaca, mohair, and silk into batts or rolags for spinning or other fibre arts projects.

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    It is particularly useful for blending different colours and textures of fibres together to create unique and artful yarns. Here are some key reasons why you might choose to use a blending board:

    1. **Efficiency**: Blending boards can hold a significant amount of fibre, which can save time and effort when blending large quantities of wool.

     

    2. **Control**: The board provides a flat, stable surface with fine teeth that gently comb and align the fibres as you work them, allowing for better control over the blending process.

    3. **Creativity**: The board enables you to create visual patterns and textures in your fibre preparation, which can translate into beautiful yarns or felted pieces.2024-11-10 13.49.44-1

    4. **Accessibility**: Unlike some other carding tools, blending boards are relatively easy to use either on your lap or a table, making them a good option for both beginners and experienced fibre artists.

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    5. **Portability**: Blending boards are generally lightweight and easy to transport, making them suitable for taking to workshops or using in different workspaces

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  4. Glass eyes verses felted eyes on you needle felted Animal

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    When deciding whether to add glass eyes or felted eyes to your felted animal creation, there are a few factors to consider:

     

    1. Realism: Glass eyes often provide a more realistic and lifelike look due to their shine and depth. They can closely mimic the appearance of real animal eyes and may be the better choice if you aim for a very precise or detailed representation.

     felted tortoise