Laying out the fleece 'tips down'...and covering it with a layer of black wool roving.
More roving.
Notice the organic shape of the future rug.
In late August, my daughter, L will be moving to Minnesota for graduate school...
...and I've been trying to prepare her for the cold winters there!
We've purchased clothing that she can layer and a good jacket...
...and have made scarves and raw wool pillows for her sofa.
When I acquired the garage-full of raw fleece recently...
...we decided that we would attempt a large rug for her apartment, together.
It was wonderful having someone to felt with for a whole day...
...rug making is a physical job...
...and I also love spending time with my seldom home daughter...
...who is currently in Norway for a month!
We laid out raw fleece in an irregular rectangle with the tips down...
...and covered it with two perpendicular layers of black wool roving.
Next time: cotton gauze, a sander, and very filthy soapy water!
18 comments:
Awesome! I have a boatload of Jacob that I was eyeing for a similar project.
Did you use the sander to help felt the rug? Good luck to your daughter- you must be a proud momma! :)
Enjoy the precious moment while L is around. Eager to see the finished one.
Kelly--Yes, with the size of this one, we did use the sander a bit. Yes--she's a very capable girl and I am very proud of her!
Terrie--You're right...I just enjoy every minute I have with her!
XXO-
hard job to do, but i hope it was satisfying:)
It's always wonderful to have a day with a daughter!! Especially when you'r felting together. Question: what kind of sander you use? Is it nog dangerous with water and electricity? Hugzz...Peebee
Riet--Yes...wait until you see the finished rug!
Peebee--I agree...but then again, I have four daughters! :) Here's the link to my first blog post about using a sander...hope it helps! http://woollove-functional-fiberart.blogspot.com/2009/11/another-new-toy.html
What a wonderful way to spend time with your daughter especially when you are creating something that she will have to remind her of you.
Oh, oh ... my last visit to my daughter we spend 1 day together...sigh. Such precious moments.
Andrea--It's SO much fun...plus, the rug is awesome (wait till you see it!!). She has promised to help me make one for myself sometime in August before she leaves, and I'm really looking forward to that!
Joei--I feel lucky to have four daughters. In the summer, anyway, at least one of them is usually underfoot and keeping me company!
It certainly looks like a felting project that is not for the faint-hearted. So good to be able to work on it together..
Cant wait to see it Heather, I'm sure it will be wonderful!
xx
Rachel--Yes! I rarely have help, and it was so much fun spending the day that way!!
Deborah--I think you of all people will really like the finished rug! XXO-
I will be totally honest. I do not envy you working with raw fleece. I know exactly how filthy they are, and how much work is involved in trying to clean it up before using. YUCK! But I have no doubt the rug will end up being wonderful, and your daughter will be thrilled to have had a part in the making of it. She can show it off to all her friends when they are snuggling down onto it in the freezing cold of Winter. :)
Sandie--Yes...it was pretty gross, and I was happy I had my new spinner, so I could get the dirty water out of my Sham Wows easily!
Woop... I have some raw fleece..no idea what is is but the sheep was called Adam:-) I have to say he is a very smelly boy!
Might start wit a small...something..what fleece do you use for a project like this and when you say tips down do you mean top ends to the table -which will be the top of the rug...does that make any sense what so ever??? Ha ha
This was a mixture of 'unknown' fleece from an area farmer, so you should definitely try a small project with yours...even a piece of flat felt that you could later sew into a small tote or something.
Tips down means the tips that are away from the sheep as it grows (which will be the top of the rug) should be down toward the table surface, and the cut edge should be up.
Thanks Heather, I knew would be able to able to decipher my question..it was rather late in the evening here.
I'm going to have a go and see what happens. Thanks. ;-)
Michelle--Good luck...I look forward to seeing how it comes out!!
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