Friday, May 27, 2011

Blue and Orange Pre-Felt Bag- Part 2

The weted-out project during felting.

 


After felting.

 


A fun, colorful button from our trip to Bath, England.

 


The finished purse.

 


I like using color complements from opposite sides of the color wheel...

...especially when they involve the color ORANGE!! Giggle.

Unlike some of my other bags...

...I didn't machine-stitch the handle together after the bag was completely felted and dried...

...but used a whip stitch to close the cut, partially-felted edges of the handle prior to further felting.

This way, the stitches virtually melt into the piece during felting...

...and the handle looks nearly as seamless as the bag.

As with my other peanut-shaped resist bags...

...the second flap was turned into an inner pocket, like this.

Luckily for me, the recipient of this purse (the adorable and very talented Andrea)...

...is a real orange-lover, too!! :)

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25 comments:

vilterietje said...

anrea is a lucky devil:)
heather i love your work and i hope andrea will have a lot of joy from the purse!

Cash en Els said...

Lovely bag, thanks for the information about the handle. I gonna try it in my next bag. I stiched the handle togehter after the feltingproces, your way is I think nicer.
With love., Els

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Riet!
Els--I'm happy to be of help. I look forward to hearing how this technique works out for you when you try it! (It works best if your piece is not too soapy...otherwise it's pretty hard to hand stitch it!) XXO-

WonderWhyGal said...

I am lucky and I totally love my bag. It was great to see photos on how it was created. You are the best, Heather!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Andrea--You are so much fun to make things for...we'll have to do it again sometime!! XXO-

Dutch Hollow said...

Beautiful! I really need to learn more about wet fleting. The projects look so inviting.

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, D.H.-It IS really fun. Try a small project sometime and I bet you'll be hooked!!

Melissa Plank said...

Very clever! Felting is such a fascinating process and you make it look so wonderfully effortless. Nice post, as always!

Kathryn Ray said...

I agree with Dutch Hollow. I would like to try wet felting again.

I love the little bit of orange too. :-)

FeltersJourney said...

A lovely bag Heather - the colours are beautiful!
I love the way you make the pocket xx

Fi said...

That's a fabulous bag. Love the colours. And thanks from me too about the handle sewing tip.

Melissa said...

Hey, I thought that bag looked familiar. I've see it!!!!

Wonderful job.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Spinster Beth said...

I love that bag. Do you sell them?

I was in Bath in September last year. I looooooved it.

fiberdance said...

I just love your bags-wish I could take a class from you.

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks so much, ladies!!
Beth--I don't sell my work, but since I don't knit or crochet, I really love doing swaps with girls who do. E-mail me if you'd ever like to do one!
Yes-Bath is lovely. We stayed in Bristol, which I especially love!

Kathi--I'd love to show you how I make them. Let me know if you ever get to Philly!!

pinkundine said...

That button is fantastic! Love the bag too, I'm a huge fan of orange right now ;)

Anonymous said...

Delightful - lovely!

Kelly said...

Heather- I love the detailing of the pleats! I am going to remember to try that!

Heather Woollove said...

Pinkundine--Yepp...'love me some orange'!! :)
Thanks, Rachel and Kelly!

Unforth said...

Love the colors!

Unknown said...

I love the detail of the pleats- what a great technique! And the combination of colors! The way the orange migrates through the blue to create that blended color- Beautiful! I too hope we have the chance to felt together someday- it's a great process to do together!

Dawn Edwards/Felt So Right said...

Another beautiful Heather bag...I love it and the button is fantastic! Andrea, hope to see this bag in person soon.

Heather, you may convert me to being an orange lover soon;-)

Big hugs,
Dawn

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Claire!
Fiona--Yes...when you and your family come for a historical holiday to Philadelphia (hint, hint!), you can stay with us and maybe send them off for a couple of day trips and just stay home and make felt with me!! :)
Dawn--Thanks! We'll chat soon, ok?

Truly Myrtle said...

Love it! I haven't made a felted bag yet - I'm dying to try. The button is just perfect isn't it?! :)

Heather Woollove said...

Libby--I do love that button! You should definitely try wet-felting. Maybe start with a smaller project? (Search my blog (or others) for book-covers. They are a nice thing to try first!)