ShaddowKatt Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) Hey guys, I'm currently working on making a new base style that I haven't seen before, but I'm sure someone has done. I'm putting down carpet! I've gotten a nice fabric that looks perfect for the setting, but the problem I'm encountering is that the edges are fraying and getting all rigid and stringy. I've got an idea to fix it but know nothing about stitching. I'm basically thinking that I can sew the edges in a way that will reinforce them and hold the circular shape that I need for the "carpet". Before you wonder why I'm talking about stitching in this thread, I'm not. I'm asking if any of you have seen "carpeting" done to bases before and if so I would love to see pictures and links to those so I can study them and pull inspiration from them. Also, if you happen to know anything about sewing I'd be happy to see links to stitching techniques and such so that I can learn. (Go ahead and judge haters.) Thanks in advance all. ----Oh, and if I find anything, I'll be sure to post both the advice as well as my W.I.P. and a finished product. Edited January 14, 2012 by ShaddowKatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarragon Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Hmm. My first instinct would be to green-stuff a 'hem' onto the carpet wile on the base. But I don't know about stitching, so good luck with that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wings Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 The standard ways to prevent fraying in sewing would be to hem it (turn the edge over so no raw fabric is showing), or to zigzag stitch the edge which limits fraying. Both are kinda difficult when working on this scale. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruglyother Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Actually, a buttonhole stitch or a blanket stitch would work fairly well at this scale. You'd have to get really fine embroidery floss format to work at all. My other suggestion would be to use a velvet for the carpeting. It's actually less likey to fray, especially if you were to bond it well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruglyother Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Oh, but I wouldn't recommend trying to stitch it unless you have a good amount of embroidery experience. Doing that fine of a stitch with that grade of floss is a real pain in the arse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoGrimm Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Why dont you just fold the fabric over the edge of something (ie plastic card) and then just the edges to that. It would be like making your own little base insert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seamoose Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Folding it over plasticard and gliding it really should do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omenbringer Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 I did something similar for the Base of my Best Sportsman Teddy Award for the last league. Instead of using fabric (the kind for clothing) try using felt, it wont fray once it has been primed, painted and sealed. Also I think it gives a better carpet effect when done (specifically talking about a plush style carpet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inquisitor Wall Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Ive had good luck folding over the edge and gluing the fabric. If the fabric is thin, then you may want to include a layer of plasticard between the layers. another option depending on the type of material would be to burn the edges to keep the loose threads from being there in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chev Chelios Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 I've tried something similar to this. I used a dollhouse rug. Glued the rug to thin plastic card then cut it to fit the base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaddowKatt Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Hmm. My first instinct would be to green-stuff a 'hem' onto the carpet wile on the base. But I don't know about stitching, so good luck with that! Green-stuffing it would work I'm sure but I'm trying to keep it as close to Fabric and Carpet as I can. ie: No green stuff, no modeling supplies, etc. Why dont you just fold the fabric over the edge of something (ie plastic card) and then just the edges to that. It would be like making your own little base insert Folding it. Simple. Why didn't I think of that? It will probably be a bit difficult to do it on a circle, but I'm sure I can pull it off. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WookieeGunner Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Another thought is that Testor's sells a very fine flock that is designed to give model cars a velour feel. Might be able to use that. Another option would be to buy a bottle of liquid stich or a fray check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheppard Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Couldn't you just hot glue the edge of the carpet piece before placing it on the base? This will make a hard, clear edging around the whole piece then. It won't (shouldn't) burn most fibers either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webmonkey Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 No need for hot glue even. Just simple white elmers glue will seep into the fibers, then apply to base while it's still wet. The glue will basically harden in place, into a disk inside the rim of the base. Once dried, it should hold the carpet firm and not allow it to fray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harbinger Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 No need for hot glue even. Just simple white elmers glue will seep into the fibers, then apply to base while it's still wet. The glue will basically harden in place, into a disk inside the rim of the base. Once dried, it should hold the carpet firm and not allow it to fray. Gluing it down with rubber cement will save you a step and give very similar effect. That being said, Id figure best looking and sure fire technique would be to size and glue down the fabric; then take some green stuff rolled into a very thin snake and apply it as a ring just inside the edge of the the base.. forming like a slight lip over the fabric. If done right doubt many will even notice its not part of the plastic base. Now all that being said.... Id personally go with the suggestions here about using some sort of felt. Im not convinced normal cloth will give the look your after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilGinger Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I would go with something like velvet and wrapping it around a plastic card insert, don't try stitching it I have done quite a bit of dress making - Re-enactment kit & uniforms & can tell you trying to hem something less than 30mm in diameter with thread fine enough you can't see it will be a real pain & might get literally bloody if your not careful. Short static grass in unusual colours could work as could sections of grass matt though you would have to colour these as most tend to be quite green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_was_like_you Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Consider using the deep dish bases, as well, to give you more room to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twizz666 Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 No need for hot glue even. Just simple white elmers glue will seep into the fibers, then apply to base while it's still wet. The glue will basically harden in place, into a disk inside the rim of the base. Once dried, it should hold the carpet firm and not allow it to fray. This is almost exactly what i did for blankets on the dreamer's bed, and for a "red carpet" look i gave to lillith. I don't know if Webmonkey mean to say this or not, but i actually put the small trail of white glue on the top of the fabric and folded that over, so it created a hem of sorts, protecting the ends from fraying, and the glue dried clear adding a stiffness that kept it from moving around on the base. for the blankets, i actually dipped the whole blanket in the glue and applied it to the bed like paper mache. this allowed me to move it however i wanted without it being evil and causing me to lose my patience. If you'd like, i can try to get you pics of how they turned out. I have been asked about how i managed to "sculpt" blankets before. so i'm guessing it looks alright. Cheers and good luck Twizz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micahwc Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 I've never seen this done on a miniature, but I have seen it done with white glue on an electric guitar before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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