Spun Cotton Tutorial: Shimmering Fish!

Mica flakes make the perfect shimmering scales on these little spun cotton fish.  While a fish may be one of the more simple forms to make with spun cotton, the real magic begins when you pick up your paintbrush.  Gouache, watercolors, or watered-down acrylics soak into the cotton and can be blended for some color play. Create a fish inspired by nature, or let your imagination wander and design something whimsical and fantastical. Each one becomes a unique little treasure with its own charm. 

I have included a free printable template for some fish shapes below.  Feel free to scale these up or down to your liking.

Supplies:

• Absorbent cotton roll

• Cornstarch

• Oval Mop Paintbrush

• Scrap chipboard or recycled cereal/food box

• Gouache paints, paintbrushes, water

• Cotton sewing thread

• Scissors

• Tacky Glue

• Mica Flakes

• Small metal embossing tool / crochet hook / knitting needle

• Fish template

Download and print the PDF free template here.

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Step 1:

Prepare your binding medium: Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry.  On the stovetop bring 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and add the slurry a spoonful at a time until incorporated.  Continue to stir for about 2 minutes or until all lumps have dissolved. Let cool.  Starch medium will keep for several days in the refrigerator.

Step 2:

Cut out a fish from the template and use it to cut out the shape from a piece of scrap chipboard or recycled box.  There are small fins next to each fish on the template, you may optionally cut out a pair of fins to attach to the sides of your fish. The side fins can also be painted on for a different effect.

Step 3:

Thread wrapping the armature: Place your spool of cotton thread in a cup or bowl so it doesn’t roll off the table.  Pull small tufts of cotton from the roll and arrange them on either side of the cardboard fish shape.  Wrap with thread to secure it.  Continue to build up the sides of the shape by adding more pieces of cotton, and wrappings of thread.  Avoid covering the dorsal and tail fins, and just focus on the body of the fish. The idea here is to maintain the silhouette of the fish shape while filling out the sides.  Press the cotton with your fingers as you work so that you have a nice, dense armature to work with.  When the cotton feels firm, and both sides look symmetrical, snip the thread and tuck the end into the wrappings.

Step 4:

First cotton layer: Split a piece of cotton roll into thin sheets, about ⅛” thick.  These should be thin enough to see your hand through.  By applying thin layers of cotton, you’ll be able to maintain the details of the fish without the shape getting too “puffy.” Brush the thread-wrapped fish with starch medium.  Tear small pieces of cotton from the thin sheet, stick it down onto the fish, and then brush over the top with more starch. Cover the body with an even layer of cotton, and then apply some pieces to the dorsal and tail fins.  Brush these well with your paintbrush, or use your fingers to press the cotton flat.   If you are making a fish with applied fins, cover the fin pieces with cotton, and press between your fingers to make them flat. Once you have covered the whole fish, set it, and the fins, somewhere warm to dry.  You can dry the pieces outside, in front of a heat vent, or near a dehumidifier.  Let it dry completely.

Step 5:

Second cotton layer: Using the same thin sheets of cotton, apply a second layer over the whole fish.  For an even, smooth surface, use larger pieces of cotton that cover a broader area, rather than small tufts.  

Step 6:

Attach the fins: If you are making a fish with applied fins, tear a handful of small cotton bits.  One at a time, use these bits to attach the fins to the sides of the fish.  Set the fin where you want it, stick on a cotton bit, and brush with starch. Continue adding cotton bits, wrapping them around the underside of the fin until it is attached.  

Step 7:

Use a small metal instrument like an embossing tool, tiny crochet hook, or knitting needle to press some details into the surface of the cotton.  Use a dotting or pressing motion rather than a drawing motion, which might lift cotton fibers. Details you can add might be things like eyes, gills, lines in the fins, etc.  Allow the piece to dry before painting to set these details.

Step 8:

Paint: Let your imagination run wild with a watery application of mixed colors.  You can experiment with layering.  For added depth, you can let the piece dry between layers. I also like to use undiluted paint for some sharper details, like the eyes.

Step 9:

Scales:  Apply undiluted tacky glue to the sides of the fish, avoiding the fin areas.  Brush lightly, and then sprinkle with mica flakes. Press them down flat onto the glue.  Let dry.

Optionally, you can use a needle and thread to add hanging loops to turn these into ornaments.

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Mica Flakes