Friday, July 6, 2012

Eco-Dyed Portuguese Wool Purse- Part 1 of 2

Readying my materials...

...including silk velvet in 'my colors'! :)

 
Laying out layers of prepared roving...



... from white Bordeleria sheep.


Wetting out the piece. 
 
Adding silk velvet squares and rectangles.



Cutting out the bag handle (after a lot of rubbing). 


Hmmm...this velvet just does not want to felt in. :(


Disaster strikes!
 
Workshops are a great place to try 'scary', new things...

...due to the built-in support and technical skills of both teacher and classmates.

To that end, I brought along some beautiful silk velvet from my stash...

...which I had always been reluctant to risk in a felted project.

I really took my time with this piece...

...but in the end, the velvet just refused to integrate into the felt (alas).

I think the trick is to 'veil' the cut edges with wisps of wool roving...

...and I'll try that the next time that I experiment, and will see how it works.

Next time: how this tragic project was reclaimed...

...by a chestnut tree, a rose bush and a talented friend! :)

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16 comments:

Els said...

Ahhh so sorry , but : a good learning-moment ....
Your silk velvet is probably too densely woven ....
Enjoy the rest !
(MMMMMM good food stuff over there !)

Heather Woollove said...

Els--It was a 'happy accident' after all, since I never would have eco-dyed it, had it worked out! :)

Rachel said...

As you say, it gave you the opportunity to learn a new trick...!

WonderWhyGal said...

I'm glad that you found a way to fix the purse. Now...are those squares ruined or can you still use them for something else?

Elizabeth said...

What temperature was the water? If it is too warm the wool felts before it can migrate into the silk. Using more dense fabrics for nuno feltingis a slooow process.

Heather Woollove said...

Rachel--There's always something new to learn, isn't there?!?
Andrea--I can use them for another project. I may stitch them to some pre-felt strips and then felt the pre-felt into something.
Elizabeth--Good point...it may have been too hot to start with! Impatient by nature, I find slooooow felting tedious, so I may try to 'cheat' a little (see note to Andrea above)!! Thanks for the suggestion!

Vivian said...

Can't wait to see what happens next -- you know I think a lot of your felting work is like magic!

Oh the food, the food, I want to recreate everything! wish I can go next year!

Becky Utecht said...

I can't wait to see how you rescued the project. You're always so resourceful. :)

Unknown said...

So enjoying heraing all about your trip, Heather....and imagining you doing all this making in such a beautiful environment amnd good company! Looking forward to seeing the finished bag- as always! xo Fiona

Spinster Beth said...

Yikes!! Looking forward to seeing how you fixed/changed it!

Heather Woollove said...

Vivian--Thanks so much!! Start saving your pennies...it would be so wonderful to have you along next year!!!
Becky--Hahaha, thanks! The 'rescue' this time is all due to my friend, Terriea and her 'mad skilz'!! :)
Fiona--It was heaven, to be sure!
Beth--I hope you'll like it!

Voie de Vie said...

I have no doubt this will be transformed into a beautiful project! And the combo of a rose bush and chestnut tree give me nice color combinations to think about. :)

Heather Woollove said...

Denise--The colors may not be as you imagine(!) :)

AllyB said...

and it would have been so beautiful! I love the colors in the velvet. Hopefully you'll have success on your second try.

Terriea Kwong said...

Workshops are great place to interact and learn from each other. Skills from instructor and mates' experiments are the take aways.

Heather Woollove said...

Ally--I promise to blog about it when I get around to trying it again!
Terrie--So true! XXO-