Friday, July 9, 2010

3 Projects In One-Progress Photos

 

 

 

 


Ok, full disclosure here...

...this project began its life as one large tote bag!

When I started, I had in mind a large, flat bag with an easy, integrated handle...

...narrow, oval openings on either side into which I could slip my hand.

I cut sections of different kinds of fabrics from my stash...

...vintage cotton lace, new (unwashed) red burlap (lesson learned: always wash burlap prior to use!), embroidered cottons and cotton gauze.

(I was pushing the envelope with the kind of fabrics thought of as 'easily feltable', here!)

I took leftover pieces of pre-felt in different colors and shapes...

...and stitched them to the sides of each fabric 'square' with wool yarn, using an upholstery needle.

This is when having friends who knit or crochet is a special blessing...

...scrap yarn in different colors!!

I placed half of the fabric and pre-felt pieces face down on one side of the resist...

...using soap glue* to help hold them in place.

(* a concentrated, slimy, liquid glue made by grating castile soap from a bar, mixing it with a small amount of water, and letting it sit for several days, shaking it whenever you think of it)

I then covered the resist with layers of wool roving in different colors...

...adding a pre-felt rectangle to demarcate the handle area on each side.

I repeated this process for the second side...

...and began felting the purse.

Next: Something bad happens.





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5 comments:

Kelly said...

aaaahhhhh!!! why oh why do you always leave us hanging??? :) I am so interested to see how some of the fabrics felted. I'm wondering if you have a project that looks like someone threw a red sock in the mix...pink...watching and waiting for the next post! :)

Leedra said...

And when do we get to see the rest of the story?

Heather Woollove said...

"Patience, my pretties" (said in a Wicked Witch of the West voice)...

I will put you out of your misery on Monday with installment #2!!

Mwahahahahahaha

Kathleen said...

I just love the way you foreshadow a dramatic twist in the story. Who would have imagined that felting could be so exciting!!!!
Kathy

Angela said...

Thamks for dropping by and commenting on my blog Heather (www.angelabarrow.co.uk). I'll be back for the rest of your story.
Angela