Raspberry Vessel

Inspired by some of my older work, Shibori dyed silk scarves; this merino wool container retains the resistance place on it by taunt bindings during the drying process.  The silk scarves were dyed post construction of the product, i.e. after they are woven and hemmed, then wound around a PVC pipe to achieve the stripped markings.  I prefer what is called the bamboo wrapping method, as this is achieved by using a pole or pipe twice as small as the width of the fabric.  These wool vessels are fiber dyed in a pre-production state so there is little similarity except that both wool and silk are protein fibers require acid dyes and both are bound with mono filament around a hard surface.  Once the wool hairs have completed the fulling process it is time for shaping the vessel.  Oops, I forgot to mention that my vessels are constructed using a resist method.  A piece of bubble wrap packing material is used for the resist portion and I like  to employ 2 pieces placing the flat sides together , providing  air pockets on both sides.  I have established this accelerates the felting time.  I place the wool fibers on the resist completely encasing the bubble wrap.  I agitate this envelope in   various ways until the fibers are interlocking.  The envelope is sliced opened on one end then, shaped into a three dimensional object.  This particular vessel was bound until the drying process is complete, which takes about 48 hours. Dimensions are 6.5 inches diameter by 8 inches high.