Silk Scarves & Fabric
What is Momme?
Momme, pronounced "moe-mie," is a term used to describe the weight of silk.
When considering what silk to use in a project, remember this: the higher the Momme, the denser/heavier the silk, the lower the Momme, the lighter the silk.
A few examples of higher Momme silk are Habotai or Pongee. These silks have a Momme of 5 with a tighter weave and beautiful sheen. These silks reject wool when used in wet felting and create a "puckering" textural effect.
Lower Momme silk would be Margalian or Silk Gauze. These silks are lightweight with a more open weave, allowing the wool to easily pass through it during wet felting.
What is the Difference Between Wet Felting and Nuno Felting?
Nuno felting is a beginner-friendly process that is tons of fun; if you can wet felt, you can Nuno felt!
Wet felting is the process of layering wool and using soap, water, and friction from your hands to create a flat shape or fabric. The difference between wet felting and Nuno felting is the addition of silk.
Polly Stirling is credited with developing Nuno felting to create lightweight, drapable fabrics. The name comes from the Japanese word for cloth, “Nuno.”
When Nuno felting, you incorporate silk into your piece during the wet felting process. In the beginning stages of laying out your fiber, this is when you would add your silk. Silk can be added for design or as a structural element in your piece. Nuno felting adds lovely texture, design, and depth to your wet felting projects. This process is excellent for wearables such as scarves, tunics, and dresses. You can also incorporate Nuno felting into smaller projects like wrist warmers, bracelets, and 2D wet felted pictures.