Saturday, May 30, 2015

'French Press' Cozy- Part 1 of 2

Covering a cone-shaped resist...

...with blended silk and wool roving...


                                   ...and folding in the overlapping rays of wet wool...

                                              ...to match the edges of the resist.



                                              Flipping the project to side two...

                                 ...adding more silk and wool roving to the surface...



                           ...and wrapping the green 'rays' around to the orange side.



                      Additional layers of variegated pink wool are added to each side...



                                                     ...and felting is begun.



                                               Checking the firmness of the felt...

                                    ...to see whether it's safe to remove the resist.



                                                  Next time: the finished cozy...

                                                   ...with green leather finial.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

"After Gee's Bend" Pieced Felt Purse- Part 5 of 5

Side one of the finished bag...


                                                        ...and in close-up.



                                       Side two has additional textural elements...



                                 ...with its 'seamed' bright orange pre-felt sections.



                                                    With its expansive bottom...

                                        ...this bag has room for many necessities.



                                             The mouth of the purse, pre-zipper.



                                             A strap is cut from yellow leather...



                                                 ...and notched at each end...



                                           ...for an easy fit within the felt loops.



                                                          Variegated thread...



                                              ...is then used to attach the straps...


                                         ...and a bright orange zipper is installed.



                                                         The finished purse...




                                           ...in all of its bold and riotous glory! ;)



Tuesday, May 26, 2015

"After Gee's Bend" Pieced Felt Purse- Part 4 of 5

Mid-way through felting...


                                             ...the exterior of the bag is revealed!


                                    The thin plastic pocket resists are removed...


                                                      ...and felting continues.


                                                    The completed bag, drying.


                                      The finished felt has a nice, pebbly texture.


                                                    Multi-hued hanging loops...


                         ...provide additional color to this already riotous bag. :)
        

                                                 Next time: I install a zipper...

                                          ...and fashion a yellow leather strap! :)

Sunday, May 24, 2015

"After Gee's Bend" Pieced Felt Purse- Part 3 of 5

Adding snippets of commercial pre-felt...


                                                ...over pieces of thin plastic...



                                                     ...for internal pockets.



                                                The (inside) bottom of the bag...

                                                               ...mid-felting.



                                             As the project is rubbed and rolled...



                                                ...the felt begins to take shape.



                                                 The primary resist is removed...



                                                   ...and the felting continues.



                                      The pocket is holding together well enough...

                                        ...that I can soon remove the thin plastic.



                                    Next time: the purse is turned right-side out! :)

Friday, May 22, 2015

"After Gee's Bend" Pieced Felt Purse- Part 2 of ?

Adding a layer of green wool to side one...


                                                 ...and wetting the project out.



                                             After flipping the project to side two...



                      ...a layer of orangey-red wool is applied to the pre-felt surface.



                                            One of the base flaps is flipped up...



                               ...and additional wool is added to the purse bottom.

                              
                                                           Along the way...

                          ...loops (for the strap) are affixed to the top of the bag...



                                           ...and more fiber is added to each side.


                                                    
                                              Next time: pockets are fashioned...

                                                     ...and the felting is begun!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

"After Gee's Bend" Pieced Felt Purse- Part 1 of ?

Assembling commercial pre-felt snippets...

...(re-purposed from other projects)...


                                      ...and piecing them together like quilt blocks.



                              Trimming a large, seamed piece of pre-felt into shape...



                                                     ...for the purse bottom.



                             Wrapping the resist with the 'pre-felt coat of many colors'...



                       ...in order to discover where any additions might be needed.


 
                                                      
                                   Adding small rectangles of contrasting pre-felt...

                                          ...to cover any gaps in the stitching.


                                         Using nylon thread and a sharp needle...



                                    ...the foam resist is sewn into its pre-felt 'skin'...



                                          ...and the opening is pinned closed...

                                      ...to keep the felt covering taut during felting.
  

                                               Next time: additional fiber is added.