Several years ago, domestic needlewomenthere was one more opportunity to realize their creative plans. The fact is that in a wide sale a material called craft foam (foam foam), or, as it is called in the CIS, a foamiran or phoam, became available. What is this substance, what kinds of it are found and how to work with fameirane? Let's consider all these issues in more detail.
What is fameamor
This word is called decorative foamymaterial for needlework, made of a polymer of ethylene vinyl acetate. Because of the rough surface, this material is also called plastic suede, reveler and other terms.
Its special name is "fameiran" - inPolish, Ukrainian, Russian and other Slavic languages, he received because of the country-producer - Iran (foam Iran), which is the largest supplier of this material in the world.
In addition to the Iranian one, one can encounter a Chinese, Korean and Turkish fameiran.
Depending on the country of manufacture, the color range of the material is different, as well as its density, uniformity of painting and length.
Features of Foam
Before you figure out how to work with fameiranom, it is worth to find out what the specifics of this material are for creativity.
The main advantage of Foam is its ease (you can even say: airiness), as well as the ability to change shape when heated, and cooled - to keep it.
This property is used by domesticneedlewomen to make beautiful and incredibly realistic flowers and jewelry for hair, brooches. In fact, unlike plastic, the foame is very light, supple and soft. Also, by its properties, it surpasses the fabric and skin - firmly holds the given shape, is not afraid of moisture and does not burn out, and its cost is very low. In addition, this material is easy to paint, and also lends itself to embossing.
It is worth noting that in the US and China, other areas of application of foi are more common: cosplay and carnival costumes are made of it.
In addition, in the industry of this material make puzzles, designers and children's sets for creativity.
Types of Foamiran
Foam can be different.In the CIS, it is most often found in the form of thin sheets of A-4 format or rolls. As a rule, the thickness of the material in this form is 1-1.5 mm. Sheet and roll foiaran is perfect for making ornaments and flowers.
Less popular with domestic needlewomen use sets of different foyam figures, numbers or letters.
In other countries, in addition to the thin material,is quite common thick sheet craft foam (from 1 cm), on which you can cut patterns, as if on a tree. Thanks to this, his property is a widely used material for creating cosplay costumes for heroes of fantasy and anime.
As for the appearance of a thin phoem, that is, several of its varieties.
- A conventional foamiran, uniformly colored with one color.
- Foam with print, most often floral or geometric pattern. Sometimes there is a picture on the surface of the material.
- Great popularity is enjoyed by glitter foiaran, the surface of which is covered with monophonic or multicolored sparkles. Most often it is used for making crowns and ribbons for rims.
- The marshmallow foam is also common, which differs from the usual one in that it thins and becomes slightly transparent when heated.
- Silk Foamiran, so named because of its silky surface, also enjoys special love.
Foamiran Tools
Before you learn how to work with foamiran, it is worth considering which tools you should use for this.
- First of all - it is scissors, because it is with theirusing it will be possible to cut out the details of the future product. In addition to the usual tailors and small sewing, curly scissors can be used when working with the foam. However, it is worth remembering that they must be of good quality and sharp - otherwise they may chew the material, rather than cut it.
- To heat the foamiran (to give it plasticity), the usual iron, curling and straightening tongs or a cigarette lighter is most often used.
- To give details the desired shape, oftenspecial tools are used - stacks. They have sharp, round and curly tips. Beginners skilled workers instead of stacks using toothpicks or needles.
- For painting foamine there are specialized dyes. However, on the domestic expanses, oil pastel or baby wax crayons remain the most popular dye.
- To fasten foam parts, the most optimal would be either Moment glue or glue gun. PVA, "Dragon" and other handmade adhesives in this case are ineffective, because they freeze for a long time.
- And the last very important tool for working withcraft foam is molda (molds to give the material volume and the right texture). A novice needlewoman does not need them. But for those who are seriously fascinated with Foamiran, one cannot do without them.
- For cutting out parts from craft foam, you can also use curly punchers, plotters, cutting and embossing machines.
How to work with foamiran
Before you get started, you shouldprepare all the tools, as well as the workplace, which should not be anything extra. As an example of how to work with foamiran, we give an example of making a small rose.
- You will need the usual pink and green foam with a thickness of 1-1.5 mm. A “pattern” of the future flower is applied to it and encircled with a toothpick (if there is no sharp stack).
- Next, carefully cut the part and cut it into several petals.
- Turn on the iron and to it, in turn, we puteach petal on the principle: heat, roll, glue; take a new petal, heat, roll, glue - and so on until a rose of the desired size is obtained.
- For a flower to look complete, you need tomake the sepal of green foamiran. It is processed in the same way as the petals, and is put on the wire, which will play the role of the stem. Wire and sepal fixed with glue, and voila - the rose is ready.
How to work with Molds for Foamiran
The above example is suitable for thoseonly masters foamiran. Over time, it is worth starting to improve your skills - to master the molds. They can be purchased at the store, ordered online or do it yourself.
You should have at least two molds in your arsenal: one for leaflets, the other for making petals.
Mold should be used after stainingfoamiran, warming up the material on the iron and pressing it to the tool. It is necessary to press the part to the mold until it cools and hardens, it usually takes a few seconds. After this, the edges can be cut, although some masters do this before working with the mold.
The detail for deformation is always important to make a larger size than necessary, because when heated it will decrease.
Molds are single (put relief with onesides) and double (shape on both sides). When working with singles, it is important to place another piece of foamiran on top of the part, which will prevent the appearance of fingerprints on the finished product. There is no need for double molds.
How to work with non-standard types of Foam
In recent years, 2 new types of craft foam have appeared on the domestic market. One of them is marshmallow foamiran. How to work with him? Let's see.
Before work this material should be specially processed. To do this, cut out the detail tinted with pastel and (laying between two sheets of paper) iron iron mode steam.
When the part has cooled down - it is removed (after processing, the material becomes very thin, almost transparent) and is applied to a hot iron. Next - process moldom.
After this procedure, the treated part is kneaded and stretched slightly in the hands. If necessary, the edges are slightly warmed with a lighter.
Having considered the method of processing marshmallow foam, let's learn how to cope with his fellow called silk foamiran.
How to work with him?Much easier than with marshmallows, because it is less capricious. Pre-ironing it is not necessary, because it is so thin and plastic and does not bubble on the iron, like marshmallow.
Working with a silk foam, the cut out part needs to be warmed up on the iron and deformed with mold. Further shape is attached by hand. If necessary, use a lighter.
Having considered the features of foamiran, as well as itstypes, we can conclude that this material - an indispensable thing in the arsenal of every needlewoman. And if we consider that domestic masters are far from fully using the opportunities possessed by this material, we can conclude that he has a great future in the expanses of our country.
