The Aging Process

In my prior post,

I showed my needlepunch projects,

right off the frame

in their very "bright" stage.

I used to use a mixture of

coffee, cinnamon and vanilla

when aging my primitive dolls.

But walnut crystals is a more gentle

process for my needlepunch items.

A little powder goes a long way.

The items are submerged

for a minute or so, before

 being quickly rinsed under the tap.

A quick assessment determines

 if the tone is "warm" enough.

Rinsing will lighten the color,

but leaving too long in the walnut

bath will increase the dark tone

which is not reversible.

Wrap in towell, to absorb as much

moisture as possible.

Then pop in the oven

using a low temp til almost dry.

The final step is to use an iron

on the back.  This provides steam

to shrink the fibers, similiar to

the method used in rug hooking.

Using the iron on the front,

will flatten the threads,

which I don't find appealing.

Voila! 

Now you are ready to finish the edges.