Friday, December 10, 2010

Concentric Circles Pillow Cover

Laying out wool roving.
 


Covering the circles with green wool batts.
 


Sewing the pillow.
 


The finished pillow.
 


As you can see...

...the parade of Christmas gifts marches on! (Har)

I decided that a bright, multi-colored pillow...

...would be a change for me, plus, it would be a lot of fun to make!

I started with merino wool 'tops'...

...and laid them out in concentric circles.

Since I was working upside-down...

...I then covered the whole shebang with green wool batts.

I had a little trouble laying out the circles...

...and I wonder whether any of you have tips on laying out a design like this?

Since I pieced together short lengths to make each circle the size I needed...

...and because the ends had to connect in some way in order to form a circle...

...I ended up with little bumps that stick out on some of them. :(

Should I have tried to use exactly the right length piece of wool for each circle...

...or is there an easier technique that I'm just not 'getting'??

Thanks!!

I'd really like to figure this out, since I do love this design!

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20 comments:

Kelly said...

Awesome as usual! I have no help with laying out the circles....I was going to ask you how to do it! LOL

WonderWhyGal said...

I love it!

The green backing behind the colorful circles just makes the color pop.

I'm curious about what others answer too. I've tried using yarn accents in circles and they end up find their way into a new shape once I start to felt.

Little Miss Adventure said...

Wow, that's a really effective striking design. Cool!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Kelly!
Andrea--I know what you mean about wool yarn (and other fibers) during felting. I actually used that 'wiggliness' to good advantage when I made a pillow for my daughter, L, recently. It's like Monk says, "It's a blessing, and a curse!" Grin.

Heather Woollove said...

Rebecca--Are you home and safe and healing?? Good to hear from you!

Fi said...

I have the same problem as well. Perhaps someone will come along with wise words. But I like your cushion just the way it is.

martine said...

Love this one, very bold and striking, haven't felted anything in ages and you have quite inspired me.
thanks for sharing
martine

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Fiona and Martine! Our answer has been provided by the delightful Nicola (Clasheen)...but she has made it a 'treasure hunt' by posting the answer on my "Icelandic Fleece Vase-Part 2"..
so go and check it out...her solution is truly inspired!!!!

vilterietje said...

the only way i can think of is to wet the woolen circles before you lay them out, i always do. i love your pillow it is great even with the bumps, which i don't see.
lots of luck and love, riet

Anonymous said...

Lovely pillows that you've been making.

I've been trying to checkout your blog about once a week. Somehow I missed your pink give away! Can anything really be too pink?

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks for the tip, Riet!

Sherry--Hahahaha...next time I dye something an outrageous pink, I'll try to think of you first!! :)

Alittlebitsheepish said...

The pillow looks amazing, lovely pattern and colours

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Halfpint!!

Anonymous said...

Adorable Heather! Another success to your growing list! :)

Via Verde Farm said...

It is beautiful! I love the circles and the colors you have chosen.

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Sandie and Tamara!!

Tracy Markey said...

this looks great, love the circles and the colours!

i've just started playing around with circles and i find if i have a length of merino just slightly longer than i need and then wrap the ends back around the circle it seems to help a little.

then i wet them once i've laid them down with a little soapy water and pat them down. this helps to keep them in place a little better. :)x

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks for your help, Narkeymarkey!

Anonymous said...

Another option could be needlefelting first. I know a lady with embelisher - she uses water soluble fabric and needlfelts her design onto it first and then wetfelts it into a batt. Her designs can be very delicate and precise, the watersoluble fabric keeps the fibre in place while building a design and then disappears during wetfelting. The same could be done by hand, laying circles and needlfelting the ends, either on the water soluble fabric, or I think without it, just to make sure that the ends are joined together. I, too, like circles very much and the colors you chose for this pillow make the whole piece eye-candy.

Heather Woollove said...

Monika--Thanks for nice comment, esp.the additional solution to my 'circular problem'!
Now, I have no excuse not to try another project like this!
XXO-