Lady Jemima's Costume Corner - Fluffies Tutorial

Misconception 2: The second misconception involves the brush used for fraying. There are three kinds of brushes available for the task: a wool card, a wool flicker, and a dog slicker.

A wool card is a larger brush that often comes in pairs for for carding wool, part of the process of turning raw wool into finished cloth. The wool card has small, strong teeth, either staple- or hook-like in appearance. These brushes are quite expensive--usually $50 to $120 a pair--and are too large to effectively fray organza.

A flicker is a type of carding brush, but much smaller and used for different tasks, thus given it's own name by the wool community. With staple-like teeth, it is sturdy enough to grab fabric and pull its fibers apart to create lovely soft fluffies. Flickers are traditionally used for opening the ends of locks of wool and for cleaning out debris, and are much less expensive than cards--approximately $10 to $20 per brush.



There are several ways to make fluffies! The possibilities are explored below. Scissors possibly the following... Organza (approximately 2-3 yards, or equivalent per combined colors) Yarn Feathers Sewing Scissors Wool flicker Small towel Tacky Glue Needle and thread



There are two common misconceptions about organza..... Misconception 1: The first is that all mesh-like fabric is organza. This is untrue. Organza has a matte finish, creates soft, full fluffies, and nearly always requires a slicker to be frayed. Crepeon Sheer is extremely similar but has a shiny finish and is not considered true organza. It can, however, be used to create harder, more thread-like fluffies, and can usually be easily pulled apart with fingers.
Misconception 2: The second misconception involves the brush used for fraying. There are three kinds of brushes available for the task: a wool card, a wool flicker, and a dog slicker. A wool card is a larger brush that often comes in pairs for for carding wool, part of the process of turning raw wool into finished cloth. The wool card has small, strong teeth, either staple- or hook-like in appearance. These brushes are quite expensive--usually $50 to $120 a pair--and are too large to effectively fray organza. A flicker is a type of carding brush, but much smaller and used for different tasks, thus given it's own name by the wool community. With staple-like teeth, it is sturdy enough to grab fabric and pull its fibers apart to create lovely soft fluffies. Flickers are traditionally used for opening the ends of locks of wool and for cleaning out debris, and are much less expensive than cards--approximately $10 to $20 per brush. A dog slicker is similar to a flicker, with the exception that its teeth are flimsy and not suitable for fraying fabric, as they will bend out of shape almost immediately.




Step 1: Cut your organza into diagonal strips. This way you are attacking a slanted weave rather than one that is vertical-horizontal.

Step 2: Lay a small towel on a surface at a level comfortable for your arm. I actually prefer working with the towel over my leg because I feel as though I have more control, but fraying organza is all about finding what works for you. Your towel will become frayed and useless for anything other than art projects as your work on your organza; it use it to protect other surfaces like carpet and upholstery. Lay one strip of fabric on your towel and begin pulling at the edges with your brush. I prefer to start at the outside, working upwards, and as the weave becomes looser, begin working my way into the center.

Here you can see the fibers starting to unravel and tear.

Step 4: As you work, stop your fraying as you approach the center of the strip. Note: If you were to fray the entire way through, you would be left with a handful of fibers that would not adhere well to the unitard. Instead, your goal is to be left with a small bit of fabric in the center that a needle and thread (or sewing machine) is able to grip something.

Step 5: Work until one side is frayed....

Step 6: ....and then the other.
Step 7: Repeat steps 1 through 6 until you have made enough fluffies to adequately cover the desired areas of your costume.






Step 1: Cut out a rectangle or square of organza or fabric.

Step 2: Begin making cuts with scissors from the edges inward, about 1/2 - 1/3 the width of the fabric. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have made enough fluffies to adequately cover the desired areas of your costume!






Step 1: Cut strips of yarn approximately 4" in length.

Step 2: Take two strips of yarn and knot them in half.

Step 3: Using your wool flicker brush, fray the yarn until it is soft and no twisted fibers are left.


Step 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 until you have made enough fluffies to adequately cover the desired areas of your costume.






Step 1: Although feathers are not the ideal material for fluffies, they can be used if your project is rushed or your budget is low. Purchase a bag of feathers in the desired colors, attach them to the fabric, and trim as needed.






Step 1: Sew or glue your fluffies onto your fabric! When sewing on a machine, use a zig zag stich if possible. This will hold your fluffies securely to the unitard. A straight stich on such stretchy fabric will not take as well as a zig zag stich will.


Mix colors and textures for a more varied look! If your organza strip tears while you are fraying it, don't worry. As you sew your organza onto your costume, you will find that both large and small pieces are useful. Fraying organza is a skill that takes several tries. Don't worry if you have trouble or find yourself working differently than described in the above tutorial; fraying is unique to each person, and you will develop your own methods as you go along. Sewing works better than gluing, but if you prefer to glue your fluffies, tacky glue is the way to go. Avoid using hot glue, which dries hard and will stiffen the unitard, making it uncomfortable to wear. When using tacky glue, hold the fluffy in place until the glue begins to harden, and allow it to dry completely before attaching more fluffies nearby.

	Thank you Roxanne for the photograph!
	Thank you Drumraper for the photograph!
	Thank you Ms. Magistifo for the photograph!