Tag: silk

Zelda cosplay part 5

On By CarynIn Craft

The reveal! Here is the full Zonai panel for Zelda from the Tears of the Kingdom game.

Photo description: Cosplay outfit from Zelda Tears of the Kingdom with green under dress, off-white gathered over dress, and newly created front panel made of EVA foam sheet, acrylic paint, and silk

The jewelry panel is pinned to the silk with straight pins, because the EVA foam is easy to pin. The silk panel is safety pinned into the white dress that is a reused element from a previous Halloween. I sewed on the gold chiffon fabric the last time it was worn so that the dress wasn’t strapless. The under dress was my grandmother’s and is the same blue/green silk as the panel, but with a silver thread overlay pattern. I did sew knit side panels on that dress so that it had some breathing space.

Photo description: jewelry panel lifted from the silk panel to show they are different elements and not just painted on

And not so say that I have an impressive craft stash, but I bought very little for this assembly. Everything was reused or repurposed from previous projects. I did need to buy antique copper acrylic paint because I ran out, and as long as I was getting paint, also picked up a metallic dark green, which was a good choice for an under layer of the patina.

Zelda Cosplay part 3

On By CarynIn Craft

The next part of the Zonai banner was a graphic on the silk panel. The silk was recycled from my grandmother’s swing jacket. It has a beautiful blue/green shimmer, but the jacket doesn’t fit anyone in the family anymore. I used a section for this cosplay banner, and I plan on parting out the rest of the silk for other long-term projects.

For the graphic, I replicated the design in Adobe Illustrator, then cut a card stock stencil using my laser cutter.

Photo description: graphic stencil cut into card stock

I did a test of the stencil before applying it to the silk, then “bounced” the acrylic paint onto the surface of the fabric.

Photo description: painted stencil

The method did not work as well as I hoped, and left a rough edge that I didn’t care for.

Photo description: stencil painted banner with rough edges and uneven application of paint

I went over the stenciled image with a paint brush and more acrylic paint to clean up the edges.

Photo description: brush painted graphic on silk

I was able to fix the graphic, and I would still use a stencil if doing a similar project, but would make sure I was using a stiff stencil brush and I would thin the paint before pouncing it on.

Wild silk

On By CarynIn Craft

I found a Polyphemus Moth cocoon! These giant silk moths are native to Texas and form a beige colored oblong cocoon made of silk. It was on the ground outside my house, one end open where the adult moth escaped.

Photo description: probable Polyphemus Moth cocoon

I decided to see what I could do with the cocoon. I started attempting to pull the silk fibers away from the cocoon, but it was difficult, so I soaked it in water. Then I realized the remains of the pupa was still inside the cocoon, so I cut the cocoon open to get it out. With the side split, I was able to tear sheets off the cocoon with some success. I left the cocoon to soak in water and over several days was able to pick more of the cocoon apart. I picked away the soiled bits, and gave it a wash with dishwasher soap.

Photo description: cocoon layers soaking in water

During the soaking, Camaj fibers released an instructional PDF on making silk paper. Hm. I ordered the PDF and read the whole thing, and using their method, made a single small piece of silk paper from the cocoon.

Photo description: Polyphemus Moth cocoon paper, inside lighting
Photo description: Polyphemus Moth cocoon paper, outside lighting

The pictures really don’t do the paper justice. It is soft to the touch and has a pretty luster. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it, but it was a satisfying project.

Blocking magic

On By CarynIn Craft

Blocking a knit item really can work wonders. My Helix scarf increased in length about a third, making it a nice size. I’m glad I didn’t add on.

Photo description: Helix scarf knitted from hand spun blended wool and silk yarn, then soaked with water and laid out to dry in a semicircle shape
Photo description: nearly dry Helix scarf hanging from the drying rack showing off the lovely undulations created by short rows.

This could be my favorite piece of spinning and knitting that I’ve done. I started spinning the yarn about a year ago, and knitting it took me about a month. That being said, this was not my only project during that time. I call myself a serial crafter, but really I should consider the title parallel crafter. A parallel serial crafter. A craft dispatcher. Hm. This train derailed, but I’m glad the scarf made it to the station.

Helix Scarf progress

On By CarynIn Craft

I finished knitting my Helix scarf! It has lovely ripples when laid out, but is a bit short. I used all my hand spun blended wool and silk yarn, so if I need to add on, it would have to be a different color. Hm. I think I will block it (get it wet and lay it out) before making rash decisions.

Photo description: Helix scarf made with hand spun fingering weight 2-ply yarn, showing opposing ripples along a central spine.
Photo description: same scarf, but folded in half and laid out in a circle.

I really love this pattern, and the way they do the short rows. It really is a wonderful way to show off hand spun yarn, and I like the subtle variation in color that the blended fiber produced.