The bag back.
The finished bag.
A close-up of the tote back.
A side view.
The stuffing and blocking flattens the bottom and rounds out the bag sides.
In light and shadow...a mysterious smile.
This project made me reaffirm my love affair with silk...
...after I saw the way that the scarf felted so beautifully into the white roving.
Unlike using synthetic fabric, which can be a little dicey...
...this fabric melded with the wool fibers nearly effortlessly.
In fact, after it was finished, I had several friends puzzle...
..."How did you get the design on there?" :)
I take special care when I dry these larger totes...
...ensuring that the bag bottom dries into a flat, oval shape...
...and that the sides are as smoothly bowed as I can get them.
Unlike the last tote that I made for this particular friend...
...this time, I left the handle wide and unstitched...
...for comfortable carrying.
14 comments:
You are so right! It's beautiful when you work with silk. This bag is really astonishing! hugzz..peebee
This is wonderful. I'm a little surprised that the silk felts so well, because the fibre structure isn't at all the same as wool. There you see, worth coming online today - I learnt something new!
wowzer! it's a wonderful tote, and i love the way the print is shown, great:)
Thanks, Peebee! Yeppp...silk rocks!! :)
Rachel--Especially when the silk has a more open-weave (gauzy) texture, when combined with wool, it makes beautiful felt. It's not the silk itself that is felting, but the wool fibers that work their way through the holes in the silk fabric. The silk becomes integrated into the finished silk this way.
Riet--Thanks!! :)
Simply gorgeous! I love how the back of the bag looks. It's amazing how it changed with the way you purposefully layered the roving.
I am taking Suzanne Higgs Felted Bag class at festival tomorrow. Squeal! Tomorrow! I'm curious to see what techniques I learn...and maybe I'll understand some of your explanations better too.
PERFECT!
:)
Andrea--Have fun! Dawn arrived here this afternoon and we're already having a BLAST. (I couldn't have her missing your S&W too much, now could I???) :)
Thanks, Kelly!!
ooohhh...sluvly!
I'm going to try this...I have found a scarf (thank you New Hope Trust). Is it merino and how many layers..?
Michelle--Yes, merino...three thin layers.
Silk and wool are GREAT marriage. Love this tote bag. So sturdy and easy to carry. A very nice bag to go shopping.
Terrie--Yes...tote bags are SO convenient!
OMG! That is amazing!! I just LOVE the way the picture came though. It's absolutely perfect! Congratulations! Just gorgeous!!! :)
Thanks so much, Sandie!!
My goodness Heather - this is absolutely stunning! What a wonderful piece of art.. I absolutely love everything about it!
x
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