|
|
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
I know this has been discussed, but I can't seem to find the threads- pun intended?
Any help or links are appreciated in caring for a silk fountain. Storing, ironing vs not, etc. Thank you
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
|
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
It all depends the type of silk fountain you have. Is yours permanently stitched together or do you have separate silk? Do you have a finale silk attached and if so, is it center stitched or corner stitched. Just so you know, there are many different ways to assemble a silk fountain, and different dealers usually think theirs is the best assembly method. If assembled and you have 18" silks, the best way is to use one of those large clothing storage bags, that you hook a sweeper up and suck the air out. This will preserve the silks the best.
|
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
I never iron mine. I store it open, loosely gathered in a bag. If you iron the silks, you may add static electricity that will make the fountain hang up unfolding.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
I have one that I bought from Duane Laflin and it has a little bag to stash a finale silk in. Should I stitch a corner of the silk into the little bag?
Just got it and have zero experience with it, but already have the routine worked out in my head. So yes, Bill. I'm pretty sure the fountain is stitched together. I haven't even taken it out yet. I plan on beginning my practice with it this week after I finish my script.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
|
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Then I suggest you get the Silk Fountain DVD. I have it and it is very good, and worth the $15 many times over.
http://www.laflinmagicstore.com/ProductD......e=MDVDSF |
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Yeah, I plan on it. Any tips people can share for now?
Thanks Bill
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
|
markofmagic Elite user 480 Posts |
I have a little piece of Velcro sewed on the inside of the little inter bag that holds the big finale silk. I place a little piece of self adhesive Velcro on the corner of finale silk. This allows you to use different finale silks for different events. I know that some will tell you to never use Velcro on your silks. But I learned this from Duane Laflin and it works well. Even if you are not using that silk for the fountain finale load, but rather using it for another effect the small pieces of Velcro will not be noticed. Especially since you can buy different colors of Velcro now which you can use to match the color of your silk. I have even used white Velcro and colored it with a magic marker to match the color of the silk that I use it on.
|
Mark Boody Illusionist Inner circle 1366 Posts |
I take a suction cup that has a small hook on it & stick it to one of the large mirrors in my studio and hang it from large ring that's attached to the foutain.
Mark
Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible. Frank L. Gaines
|
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Do not use velcro. It can snag the silks. Use dress makers snaps. Paint them if you feel you need to.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
James Adamson Special user Deatsville - Holtville - Slapout, AL 945 Posts |
1> Most important tip - NEVER iron the silks. Many people make the mistake of ironing the silks because they have been taught for so long that silks should not be wrinkled looking, while this is true in a normal silk effect is the exact opposite when using a silk fountain. The very nature of the "cabbage blooming" effect is actually enhanced by the folds, creases, and crumpling of the silks. Don't worry about taking a lot of time in meticulously folding the silks, just fold them and go. As time goes by the fountain will actually look better and better as the natural creases, etc improve the spring-ability of the silks.
2> For the final Silk there are several ways to go if you have an existing bag. A> You can leave them unattached, (I do not prefer that since to easy to pull out and then you loose the full effect of spreading the large silk out and takes away from the production.) B> Attach with snaps or small Velcro (some do not like Velcro) piece to corner of silk and inside bag. Drawback - modified silks. Some of my silks are Original Rice Silks and I do not want them modified in any way. C> Preferred method - Cut the corner of a silk off and sew the non-corner side of the silk to the inside of the bag. This leaves the corner of the silk available to use in the following fashion. Take the sew in corner and the left upper corner (reverse of you are left handed) and tie a Slydini knot. Load silk into bag and when you perform you then have complete control of the large silk. The natural weight will keep the silk attached until you pull the with enough force to release the knot. This way you can change the print silk to any you wish to use without any modification to the final silk. I have never seen this idea in writing would be interested if anyone has seen this in print before as I don't want to claim something that is not mine. It just makes perfect sense. 3> If you make your own as I have, make a pocket to hold the larger silk. You sew a smaller silk with just one of the four corners left unsewn. This creates a natural pocket. You can then do as above and tie a Slydini knot to the unsewn corner and the final silk and boom tuck everything inside leaving the corner piece of the final silk hanging out for you to pull at production time. 4> I have a small plastic loop or ring (I believe Duane's is similar) that is attached to the middle of the first silk, to store I hang mine in my magic closet with the silks hanging down, but not rolled up. By storing them not rolled up in my opinion it helps to keep the silks aired out and not compressed all the time so that when you do prepare the fountain you do not have all the air squeezed out, some air when folding the silks helps the natural unfolding action.
Be remembered for performing what looks like MAGIC, not skill.
|
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Thanks for the great tips!
Great idea with the corner of the silk James- I think I'm going to do that.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
|
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I have one that I made from 18", 24", 36" and a 6' in the center. I don't recall how many are in it, but at least a couple dozen. I made this back in the early 1980's. So, that's been about 30 years now.
Each silk has a small iron-on circle in the center. This prevents the stitching from tearing the silk. There is a double thickness of carpet thread running through the center of all silks, with a large button one each side. The one on the inside is maybe an inch in diameter, the other (outside) is maybe 1 1/2". This gives me a nice handle to grab. The large silk in mine is an old Rice Dragon. It had some holes that I'd repaired and wasn't the best for a full open display, but it works fine for the fountain. It just looks like a large, multicolored silk unless the dragon's head is visible, and then that's OK, too. There is nothing else, no bag, no snaps, no Velcro, nothing... super simple, and works every time. I used to use it as cover to produce a duck, and at another time a large flower bush. These days, I use it to produce a giant pocket watch. A friend of mine made one for his show on my design and he used his to produce a 12" mirror ball. I have always just rolled up the bundle with the large silk on the outside. Then, I wrap a separate cloth around it to protect it. I try to let it "air" for several hours before a show, and I shake it to fluff the silks. Only once in all that time have I ever had to take it all apart to iron the silks and that was because I had stored it after a performance when the humidity was really high. It was probably damp when I did that, and the next time I went for it, it was REALLY crumpled. So after dismantling, I ironed each silk and then worked them to knock out the static. Then, I re-assembled the fountain and things are good once again.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Dan Ford Special user Illinois 753 Posts |
I made my own with rare earth magnets keeping the silks together and with the change for the final silk easy.
|
Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
I'm new to silk magic, so this might have been discussed before.
Is it OK to spray the silk with anti-static spray? Or This spray to remove wrinkles? Or Use a hand steamer to remove wrinkles? Thanks,
Ihor
|
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Just a quick shot is ok but don't do it all the time. Rinse the silk in warm or cold water with 1 or 2 drops of fabric softener. Wring it out and stick it to a mirror or glass window. Let it dry natural or use a hair dryer. It will dry and fall down wrinkle free.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
More great information.
I'm already tempted to begin making my own. Thanks again!
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
|
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
You can read these strings:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54 |
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Awesome!
Thanks for finding those for me Bill.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Smooth as silk » » Caring for a silk fountain (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |