BDBC #3

[Jane]

Felt is one of the cheapest, easiest, and ubiquitous materials crafters use. It's versitile and when done right, can even look expensive! So I'm wondering what you can do with felt this week.

Some ideas for ways to use felt:
Embellish Clothing
Paper Goods
Toy Making
Accessorie Making
and the list goes on...

Rules: Participants must show some proof of their work. (i.e. pictures, instructions, reflection of working with felt, etc.)

Entries must be submitted by Sunday, February 24 11:59 pm.

All participants will receive 5 points.

Good luck! Can't wait to see them!

[Erika]

SOunds like great, inexpensive fun - can't wait to get something going!

[Brenda]

I'm going to go shopping tonight. I already have some ideas.

[David]

Anybody have any ideas on how to re-felt a pool table? The felt on mine is getting worn out. I've never really tried anything like that and was wondering how much felt ( and if there is a special kind ) I would need for an average size pool table, I'm guessing a sheet about 10ft. X 20ft. If you have any helpful advice I could sure use it:-)

David

[Erika]

David - it sounds like it is something you can do yourself, but the cheap felt you can buy at the local fabric store keeps stretching, potentially slows the balls down, and can leach color onto the balls, so if you do it yourself, you want to invest in the right kind of pool table wool felt cloth that you can get at pool supply stores - check out this link (last two posts, in particular): http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080119103817AAPGrMA

There are also kits you can purchase: http://www.pooltablerefelting.com/ - they even have pictures and detailed instructions on how to do it, but it looks like it would be about the same price as having a pro come in to do it ($150-$250).

Good luck and let me know when you are inviting all of us over for a game!
-Erika

[David]

Thanks Erika,

Thats excellent advice. I checked your links and you're right, it's probably better to have a pro do it. I've never tried anything like that although I think I could do it, after all I had to do drywall, painting , tile work and more when I remodeled my kitchen ( I did have some professional help ). Home Depot is great! For a pool table though, I can't have any wrinkles in the felt and I would have to dismantle the table to do the job right.
I think getting everyone together for a 'pool" party is a fabulous idea. How to get everyone together might be a bit of a problem though. Thanks again:-)

David

[Erika]

D'oh! We spent our weekend without power with the storms up here, so I did not get to do any crafting, but I did want to share a felt project I did last fall, even though it doesn't count for the BDBC - I recreated the board game Dread Pirate by making my own map "board" out of felt and making it in a hexagon shape so you can have six players instead of just four with the original rectangular map cloth. I think it came out pretty well and wanted to share in case anyone else wants to recreate a board game - this also makes for a great travel game due to the soft nature of the "board". See y'all at the next BDBC!
-Erika

Link to original Dread Pirate (top thumbnail next to large picture): http://www.frontporchclassics.com/games/details.php?id=9

PS - I will post mine when we get the game back (we took it up to our cabin in Yosemite last month).

[Jane]

Thanks for sharing! that's a great idea! I've always wanted to recreate my boardgames but with magnets so the pieces wouldn't fly around everywhere. =]

[Erika]

Jane - I finally took some pics and posted the Dread Pirate for Six game I made - the game board (map) is actually the cheap-o black $3 felt and the booty pouches and matching sails are wool felt. Enjoy and feel free to leverage any of this!
-Erika

[kristine]

Been so busy.... Jane can you bring this challenge back up again soon! I'd love to make something!

[Jane]

Sure no problem! Maybe in another week or two. I got pretty busy last week too..I forgot to post something! lol.