Friday, July 8, 2011

Blue Wool and Raw Fleece Purse- Part 2

The bag front with leather thong button closure.

 


The bag back.

 


With its 'guts' pulled out...so you can see the fabric-lined pocket. :)

 


The pod-shaped interior of the bag.

 


It's always interesting to see how a new kind of raw wool will felt...

...and I wasn't so certain about this batch when I started!

Because this wool is from sheep raised for their meat, not their fleece...

...and because it had rained for weeks prior to their shearing (and boy, was this wool filthy!!!)...

...I didn't start with high hopes.

The fleece I received is a mixed-up combination of Dorset, Suffolk and Romney...

...and I'm not even sure which bit of fleece is from which animal!

As with most of my raw fleece experiments...

...I embarked upon the making of this bag as if it were a science project! Giggle.

For fun, I tried a new kind of fastener on this bag...

...cutting a thin length of leather and sewing it onto the bag flap (for wrapping around a button to secure).

The button is a pewter one that I bought at the Maryland S & W Festival this year...

...with a cute embossed sheep on its face.

I especially like the way the blue roving migrated into the raw locks...

...and you'll see how this worked to even better effect in my next post...

...another project made from this 'mystery fleece'! :)

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21 comments:

WonderWhyGal said...

Wow! Look how clean that wool got while you felted it. I bet you had a lot of dirty suds. You have a gem in that style bag. I totally adore mine and I know the recipient of this will LOVE the raw lock bag.

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Andrea!! I really had my doubts about this fleece at first, but after I made this bag, I got ambitious and made a large rug with it. I'll be posting about it next, and I think you'll really like it.

pinkundine said...

I've never seem anything like that before, what a cool idea ;) Love the blue colour too

Kelly said...

The raw wool looks springy! Even after felting. The pewter button with the sheep on it is adorable!!

Heather Woollove said...

Natalie--Thanks so much!!
Kelly--Yes-the raw locks often retain their springy shape, and oddly enough, it works even better when they start out dirty! XXO-

Anonymous said...

Love the puffy effect of the raw wool!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Rachel! Raw locks are truly fun to felt with.

Tamara Miller said...

I love the texture of the wool. It is a really stands out against the deep blue of the bag. Beautiful purse.

vilterietje said...

what a very special "sheepy" bag:)

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks Tamara and Riet!! XXO-

Melissa said...

Nice job...I love how you made the inside pocket.

Looking forward to seeing the next project.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Melissa! Yes...I kind of have the pocket part down to a science, now...I've made so many of these. :)

Voie de Vie said...

I readily admit I'm a bag gal and I love all of your bags - this one is no exception. I really love the color combo!

fiberdance said...

I just love your purses-love the bright blue of this one.
Yes, the yarns arrived-and I just love them-I have to find something special to use them in. Thankyou so much!!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Denise--I was happy with the 'migrating blue' into the locks. I think it made the bag look more coordinated, somehow.
Kathi--I'm so glad that you received them. Yes-keep me posted when you use them. I'd love to see what creative use you find for them!

Spinster Beth said...

It's lovely ... I love the color!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Beth! The blue wool is a variegated roving with a bit of purple in it, too. It's not 'my color', but it's nice. :)

Karen said...

this is gorgeous Heather. I hope you and yours are all well x

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Karen!! Yes, thanks...everyone is doing well.

Anonymous said...

Wow! That blue is very blue indeed, but it sure does stand out. Love it, as always. Another successful project! The user will love it, I'm sure. :)

Heather Woollove said...

Sandie--Amazingly, the recipient told me that blue happens to be her favorite color!