Wool love-functional fiber art

Valentine Swap Purse- Part 1 of 2

2012-01-29T03:31:00.001-05:00

Newly designed foam floor underlayment resist.

Using white roving for the inside of the bag this time...

...and variegated pink roving for the bag's exterior.

The fully wrapped resist, prior to embellishment.

Adding a cut-out art batt heart...

...and concentric hearts made from blue tussah silk.

Making a loop for the purse closure.

The finished back side with silk, art batt and cotton sliver accents.

My friend, Linda hosted a Valentine swap recently...

...and this year, I decided to join in all the fun!

I envisioned making a smallish purse...

...suitable for romantic dinner dates and the like.

I also wanted the resist to be roughly heart-shaped...

...to echo the design elements that I had planned for the back side of the purse.

Working from inside to outside this time...

...I started with white roving for the purse interior.

Next, I wrapped the resist with layers of variegated pink roving...

...and added a loop for the purse closure.

For the embellishments, I cut a heart shape from a bit of art batt...

...and surrounded it with thin lines of tussah silk top.

And just for fun, I filled in one section of the concentric heart design...

...with tufts of cocoa and cream cotton sliver.

Next time: the finished purse...

...with hand-dyed leather strap.

A Minor Foray into "Fabric Land" Part 2 of 2

2012-01-27T02:30:00.000-05:00

Stitching a layer of denim to a layer of PUL...

...and sandwiching in a silken cord.

Turned right-side out and top-stitched...

...with the tie-cord now visible.

Sewing up the side seams.

The finished make-up bag with button and shortened (cut and tied) cord.

The open bag, showing its waterproof, PUL lining...

...and, now, peering inside.

The back side of the bag (opened up)...

...and the front, again, with all of its wrinkles! :)

My daughter had a pair of artificially wrinkled, skinny jeans...

...that had not held up well with wear.

She asked whether I could make a denim make-up bag from them for her...

...that would also be impervious to spills and inadvertent 'blush compact openings'. :)

Since I have a friend who sews her own cloth diaper covers...

...I knew exactly what to line the denim with...

...PUL (Polyurethane Laminate)!

For those of you who have never heard of it...

...it's made by laminating a thin plastic film to fabric...

...to make it washable and waterproof.

It's wonderful for things like re-usable cloth lunch and snack bags...

...but it also has some drawbacks, since it cannot be ironed or put into the dryer.

I stitched the denim layer to the PUL with right sides 'in', enclosing a cord and leaving an opening...

...then turned it right side out and top-stitched the entire perimeter.

I sewed up the sides to form a bag, trimmed the cord to the proper length...

...and attached a button that we had found in a small quilt shop in Bath, England.

It's always nice to re-fashion bits of fabric that seem unredeemable...

...and the detailing on the jeans made for an interesting design on the finished bag!

A Minor Foray Into "Fabric Land" Part 1 of 2

2012-01-26T02:30:00.000-05:00

Assembling the pieces of my needle-case project...

...using a vintage table runner for the fabric.

Adding velcro prior to sewing the two parts together...

...this way, it won't show on the exterior of the finished case.

Pinning the layers together prior to stitching.

The finished case front...

...and back...

...and opened up, holding needles.

Another one, but larger this time (and rounded off on all four corners)...

...to hold even more needles!

Because I've been using my sewing machine a bit more lately...

...to fashion fabric linings and leather straps for my felted bags...

...I recently purchased a large quantity of needles.

In order to keep the 'regulars' from the 'denims' and the 'leathers'...

...I decided to fashion a fabric case for them.

Luckily for me, I found that Laura had already posted a terrific tutorial on this project...

...and for once, I didn't have to 'reinvent the wheel'! :)

My only 'amendments' to her instructions are as follows:

I didn't leave any 'ease' in the elastic as I was sewing it on...

...(finding that it held better this way)...

...and I used velcro instead of snaps as a fastener...

...sewing it to each piece of fabric prior to sewing them together.

(Please make sure to check the position of each piece prior to sewing...

...since one needs to be at the top, and one at the bottom!)

Next time: a make-up bag made from old jeans...

...and a quite new kind of fabric!

Daughter No. 4's Striped Work Purse

2012-01-24T03:13:00.001-05:00

My daughter's striped layout...working 'inside-out'.

After felting...trimming one flap for use as an inner pocket.

Sewing on the fabric lining after cutting a slit in the inner felt flap.

The finished bag front...

...and back.

The raw-edged purse flap in close-up...

...and the bag inside, showing the fabric-lined inner pocket.

Here she is, modeling her new purse...

...while borrowing my (what else?!?) orange fleece jacket.

(Never fear, dear readers...it's an 'indoor' jacket...

...even I won't wear this much neon orange out in public!!) Giggle.

Like many young women today, my daughter doesn't carry a purse...

...preferring to use a 'wristlet clutch', instead.

Recently, however, she decided that it might be nice to have a real 'work purse' after all...

...and asked for my help in making one.

Of course, I jumped at the chance to make felt with her...

...and asked her to make some size, shape and color choices.

She settled on a very simple purse with a long strap...

...and began her portion of the project...the layout.

I was surprised to see that she chose orange for the 'non flap' side of the purse...

...but I think it merely coordinated well with the other colors. ;)

After felting and drying, I trimmed one flap to create an inner pocket...

...lining it with riding-gear related fabric from my stash.

I made a long, thin strap for the bag from a piece of grey leather...

...and voila, now she has something that she can actually carry things in!! Grin.

Paisley Tote Bag- Part 2 of 2

2012-01-22T02:30:00.001-05:00

Laying out bright orange wool to make a small, flat sheet of felt.

Stitching basic paisley outlines onto the finished felt...

...and filling them in with more machine stitching.

The finished bag front...

...and back.

(Sorry for the washed out colors...the bag is actually brighter and darker than this.)

Peeking inside...

...and the back, again, in close-up.

I made a piece of flat felt in a brighter orange color...

...and traced paisley shapes onto it with a pencil.

I machine stitched around the perimeter of each design with contrasting thread...

...then filled in each shape with a different design.

I cut the paisleys from the sheet of felt...

...and appliqued them onto the finished bag.

You'll notice that the smallest paisley piece...

...acts as a dot for the letter "i" in "Jackie"! :)

It's quite a good-sized bag...

...and it's sturdy enough for a trip to the library or produce market.

Paisley Tote Bag- Part 1 of 2

2012-01-20T09:38:00.000-05:00

Masking off sections of my resist in preparation for the layout.

Adding a pencil roving moniker and handle design...

...notice that I'm again working 'inside-out'. :)

After removing the paper and stones...

...covering the resist with sections of a batt made from orange wool and bright cotton dots.

Wrapping the resist in additional layers of fiber.

After felting and turning the tote 'right-side' out...

...trimming it...

...and stuffing it to hold its shape as it dried.

This is a Christmas project that I made for my dear friend Jackie...

...who just loves paisleys! :)

I used my usual circular tote bag resist...

...but marked off the handle area and added some writing, this time...

...prior to covering it in fiber.

After felting, but while it was still wet...

...I blocked the bag by stuffing it with cloth placemats...

...and steaming it into shape.

Next time: the paisleys!

'Chinese Parade Dragon' Purse- Part 2 of 2

2012-01-18T02:30:00.000-05:00

The finished bag front after stitching.

Positioning a felt pocket onto the fabric lining prior to stitching.

The finished bag (front)...

...and back.

A close-up of the back side...

...and one of the front...

...with a faux tortoise shell button.

The inside of the purse...

...lined with beautiful hand-dyed fabric from Kenya.

If you squint a little at the first picture...

...you'll see why I called this my "Chinese Parade Dragon" purse.

It's not because of the fiery orange color of the inner purse...

...but because it really looks like the face of a Chinese New Year parade dragon!! Grin.

After pinning and stitching the brightly-colored stripes into place...

...I fashioned a long strap from a strip of grey leather.

For the lining, I used a bit of one of my most beloved stash fabrics...

...a beautiful hand-dyed piece from Nairobi, Kenya...

...given to me by good friends who are missionaries there with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Once the lining and straps were sewn into place...

...I made a buttonhole and stitched on a fun button to complete the bag.

'Chinese Parade Dragon' Purse- Part 1 of 2

2012-01-16T02:30:00.000-05:00

Laying out layers of bright orange and yellow wool.

Applying three 'strip resists' to each side of the bag...

...and covering them with various colors of wool roving.

3 differently-colored sections on one side, and 3 on the other.

After topping the entire layout with blue roving and felting for a time...

...then removing the resists and finishing the felting process.

Twisting the colored strips of felt and pinning them into place in a new orientation...

...and here, prior to stitching, on 'side two' as well!

I wanted a new purse to take with me to work...

...so I laid out all of its usual contents (to check for size)...

...and then just started sketching.

I decided on a simple shape with lots of great colors...

...and a felt inner pocket that's the perfect size for my photo ID.

I covered the main resist with several layers of bright roving in my favorite color...

...then added strips of plastic for use as resists.

Next, I went wild, covering each of the six strips with a different, bright color...

...and wrapping the entire project in a few layers of variegated, slate blue roving.

After felting for a time, I slit the felt to remove the strip resists...

...and continued felting the piece, eventually removing the main resist as well.

After rinsing and drying, I 'twisted up' each colored strip and pinned it into place...

...showing off each vibrant color in turn.

Next time: the finished purse...

...with a special fabric lining.

Wet Felted Mittens- Part 2 of 2

2012-01-14T05:29:00.001-05:00

Laying out layers of blended wool fibers on my newly modified mitten resist.

The art batts that I used this time were mostly dark, with bits of bright colors.

Cutting the mittens apart, mid-felting, and removing the resist.

The finished, 'very manly' mittens, front and back...

...and front and front...

...and front and back, again.

The back sides with bits of red showing from the variegated roving.

Before I made this second pair of mittens...

...I adjusted my resist pattern a bit.

The new one is a bit shorter in the 'fingers area'...

...and I made the 'thumb part' a little less bulbous, too. :)

Since I was using rather dark roving this time (again for a man's gift)...

...I decided to place a 'pop of color' red stripe on each mitten front (for fun).

These can be cuffed, if desired...

...but since I used dark roving throughout (not white for the lining this time)...

...I prefer these just the way they are. :)

Wet Felted Mittens- Part 1 of 2

2012-01-12T02:34:00.001-05:00

Flattening the foam underlayment resist prior to use.

(I find that the end of the roll always curls up a little bit!)

Beginning the lay out with 'spongy' Hog Island wool...

...then adding layers of variegated blue roving.

The finished layout, prior to felting...

...and after felting for a time...

...cutting the mittens apart and removing the resist.

While drying.

The finished mittens with cuffs rolled up...

...and again, here.

Several years ago, I made a pair of fingered gloves without much success...

...so this time, I decided to 'forego the fingers' and make mittens, instead!

The hardest part is getting the proper shape and size for your resist...

...since you must not only take into consideration the shape and size of your hand...

...but also the type of wool that you are using, the number of layers, and the shrinkage.

I was lucky enough to have an 'individual mitten' template on hand that I could 'tweak'...

...so, for once, I didn't have to 'reinvent the wheel'!!

(Thanks, Linda!)

It's important to leave a wider connecting 'wrist area' than you think you'll need...

...or else you won't be able to actually get your mittens on after they are finished! :)

(Thanks, Kim, for that helpful tip!)

Next time: pair # 2 (for a less long-fingered recipient!)

'Della Robbia Wreath' Swap Shawl

2012-01-10T02:30:00.000-05:00

My glorious swap gift...

...with yummy, fringy details.

Knitted leaves and dyed locks...

...and 'spun-in' flower accents.

So many kinds of fibers were used in making this hand-spun yarn...

...and look at the cunning little knitted fruits!

You'll notice that it's in all of my favorite Fall colors...

...and each time I wear it, I continue to discover new kinds of fibers and little knitted surprises! :)

My sweet friend Melissa and I arranged a swap together...

...and this is the amazing shawl that she made for me!

It's WILD and colorful and full of various textures and fibers...

...and I continue to discover new surprises each time that I examine it!

This scarf reminds me of a Della Robbia Christmas wreath...

...chock-full of knitted seed pods, fruits and leaves!!!

I know that this project was a long and complicated undertaking...

...and I am so grateful to Melissa for this delicious gift!!

"Electric Bass" Purse- Part 2 of 2

2012-01-08T02:30:00.000-05:00

The finished bag before blocking.

Sewing a leather strap.

Stitching seam lines for each pocket section.

The finished bag front...

...and back.

Adding a snap closure to keep the front section secure...

...and in close up.

A detail of one of the silk/wool blend spirals.

For those of you who couldn't quite see what I was 'up to' in my last post...

...I hope that these photographs will make things a bit clearer.

I used a large sew-on snap to help keep the front pocket secure...

...and also to keep it from 'flopping open' while one is rummaging around in the back one. :)

I fashioned a narrow grey strap from a piece of leather...

...and attached it in a way that helps to maintain the bag's integrity...

...by anchoring the bag front to the bag back at each side.

I used the last bit of one of my very favorite roving blends (thanks, Ellen!) to make spirals...

...symbols that 'speak' to my old hippie body-worker best friend. :)

"Electric Bass" Purse- Part 1 of 2

2012-01-06T02:30:00.000-05:00

Laying out a complex resist...

...and marking the stitch line.

Covering the resist with variegated brown roving...

...and flipping it (like pages in a book) in order to cover each section evenly.

The first of several layers of roving.

The finished layout with one merino/silk blend spiral...

...and another for good measure!

I wanted to make a special purse for my dear friend, V for Christmas...

...so I decided to fashion a new kind of resist.

I devised a pattern for a multiple-resist bag...

...that would have two separate compartments in it for storing things.

My design inspiration came from an image I had in my head of an electric bass...

...you know, the kind that has an upside-down "V" cutout at the bottom! :)

To start: I sketched patterns on a large sheet of paper...

...then transferred them to pieces of foam floor underlayment.

I machine-stitched the two parts of the resist together...

...and began laying out my roving.

Felting with multiple resists is not as straightforward as with a standard resist...

...so I had to tread carefully and really take my time.

Next time: the finished bag.

Festive Felted Soaps For Giving- A Tutorial

2012-01-04T05:28:00.001-05:00

Laying out supplies: art batts, bar soap, and felting equipment.

Swathing each soap in roving from an art batt...

...then wrapping each with a messy spiral of pencil roving...

...(choosing different color combinations for each recipient).

The finished soaps...

...drying on paper towels or parchment paper.

Et voila...the completed set!! :)

While searching for large, nicely shaped, individual bars of soap for this project...

...I was delighted to find a brand of soap that I used as a teenager!!

I didn't even know that "Yardley of London" still existed...

...but as I inhaled scents like English Lavender, Lemon Verbena and Oatmeal-Almond...

...I was instantly transported back to the 70's!! :)

If you haven't ever tried making felted soaps, you should...

...as it is a rather straightforward project yielding lovely results...

...although not entirely without its challenges. :)

To begin: Wrap a bar of soap with wool roving or part of a wool batt...

...placing one fat and fluffy layer around the soap width-wise...

...and another around the soap from end to end (making sure to cover the entire soap surface).

It's important to get enough fiber on your soap to provide a thick and cushiony 'skin' after felting...

...so 'if in doubt', add another layer!

Using any kind of pencil roving or wool yarn...

...wrap the whole shebang in a casual spiral-ish design.

(Besides being just plain pretty...

...this will help to hold the wool in place as you work!)

Now comes the only tricky bit:

Holding the soap firmly in one hand...

...carefully dribble hot water on it, turning (and gently squeezing it) as you go.

If you don't go slowly and hold the wool firmly in place at this stage...

...or if you rush to dip it in water or rub it on bubble wrap...

...you may find (to your dismay) that the wool 'coat' slides right off!

Once the coating feels like it's starting to stick together...

...you can roll it up in a sheet of bubble wrap and gently roll it around on the table for awhile...

...making sure to change the position of the soap regularly and to watch for signs of 'slippage'.

As you work, you will feel the wool layers starting to shrink and felt...

...and each time it cools off, you should dip it in hot water...

...holding the soap firmly as you do.

Once it seems to be 'all of a piece'...

...gently rub it on the bubble wrap, turning it to reach each part of the soap as you go...

...or, using cupped, bare hands, you can work it like you're making a meatball! :)

After some time, the wool will felt to a thin, even layer over the entire surface of the soap...

...at which point you should rinse it quickly in cold water, squeeze out the excess water and let it dry.

Purple Flower Purse- Part 2 of 2

2012-01-02T02:30:00.000-05:00

The finished purse after drying.

Lining the inner pocket with green felt left over from my 'couture' jacket.

After stitching and trimming...

and adding a snap closure.

The finished purse front...

...and back.

I think it looks a little like an African violet...

...here, nestled among the leaves.

To make this purse as 'purple as possible'...

...I used four different shades of purple merino wool.

I fashioned a cell phone pocket from one of the purse flaps...

...and lined it with a thin green piece of leftover felt.

Because the purse is busy enough as it is...

I used a large sew-on snap inside the bag for closure...

...rather than buttons.

I think that this would be a fun purse for an evening out on the town...

...or for a jolt of color when you're wearing all black. :)

Purple Flower Purse- Part 1 of 2

2011-12-31T02:30:00.000-05:00

Beginning the layout with an inner pocket.

Adding layers of deep purple roving.

Wrapping roving around the resist in preparation for the petal layers.

Adding bamboo fiber to decorate the flower center.

Beginning to felt the petals...

...and working on each petal in turn.

Hanging the purse to dry with clamps holding the petal folds in place.

This purse was a Christmas gift for a purple-loving friend...

...and I made it in the same manner as the orange one that I blogged about a month or so ago.

Working from the inside to the outside, I covered the resist with layers of wool roving...

...then added petal layers in various shades of purple.

I used bubble wrap with a hole cut into the center between the layers....

...in order to keep the edges separate (from the bag and from each other).

After felting each petal and the purse itself...

...I clamped the petals into place for drying.

Next time: the finished purse...

...with felt-lined pocket.

Faux Two-Layer Scarf: Redux

2011-12-29T04:35:00.001-05:00

Laying out grey wool roving.

Covering the wetted-out roving with a frame of thin plastic foam.

Adding layers of brown merino roving.

After wetting out the piece and folding in the edges.

A view from the back...before felting.

The finished scarf...

...again, with a top layer that only appears to be separate from the bottom...

...and this time, with leather 'buttons' instead of metal washers.

Because using a bubble wrap 'frame' last time ended up being a bit 'fiddly'...

...I decided to try felting one into the piece...

...and then cutting it out after the scarf was partially felted.

I sandwiched a wide foam frame between the two colors of roving...

...then felted the scarf until it passed the pinch test.

Next, I cut along the outer edge of the scarf...

...removed the foam frame, and finished the piece.

When the scarf was fully felted and dry...

...I trimmed the top layer so that the bottom layer would show.

I cut squares of grey leather for the 'attachments' this time...

...and machine-stitched them to each corner of the scarf.

Overall, I found it a bit easier to use this method...

...but I think I prefer the more organic edge of the top layer from my first try.

Next time: a very purple purse! :)

Faux Two-Layer Scarf

2011-12-27T04:32:00.001-05:00

Two thin layers of brown roving in a long rectangle...

...and two of gold blended with sour-apple green.

As I worked...

...I placed a narrow bubble-wrap 'frame' between the outer edges of the two colors.

The finished scarf with small, gold, metal washer accents.

You'll notice that the outer edge of the yellow-green layer is free from the brown layer...

...but the two layers are otherwise felted together into one.

The finished scarf appears to be made from two separate layers...

...held together only by the metal pieces.

I wanted to make a couple of men's scarves for Christmas gifts...

...and I remembered a wonderful alpaca scarf of Chad Alice Hagen's...

...in her book Fabulous Felted Scarves.

Instead of making two thin scarves in different colors and joining them with buttons after drying...

...I took a 'cheaters way out', and felted them together...except at the very edges!

The scarf is very light and soft, and I think it 'reads' visually as I had intended...

...but working with the bubble wrap 'frame' was a little fiddly.

Next time: modifications...

...and my second attempt at this type of scarf

Christmas 2011: New Decorations!

2011-12-25T00:30:00.000-05:00

In this photo, it looks like it's just the 'usual suspects'...

...until, inexplicably, a wizard and a mermaid show up with the angel of the Lord!!

Wise men (with bejeweled gifts)...

...and the Holy family with a sheep.

(What other animal would a felter's daughter choose to make?) :)

Plus a wizard, a mermaid and an angel (all singing otherworldly lullabies, I presume!)

Our new tabletop Christmas tree with garlands of felt balls, raw cranberries and popcorn...

...and a pre-felt angel (back side)...

...and bejeweled, smiling front!

As soon as my 20-year old twins arrived home from their respective colleges...

...it was "game on" with the Christmas crafting!

H-1 built a creche and a manger out of popsicle sticks...

...then added painted details and glue-on gems.

She also made a whole cast of characters from wooden doll blanks...

...with hair and beards of wool roving, and remnants of finished felt for the clothing.

I'm not 100% sure why the 'extra' individuals are there, exactly...

...but I say "the more, the merrier" at such a thrilling event!!

H-2 chimed in by bringing home a table-top tree from a craft store...

...and customizing it with silver rick-rack and 'old-timey' decorations.

I especially love the 'blinged-up' pre-felt angel...

...with the happy smile on her face!!

Do you know what thrills me the most about these new decorations?

It's that my nearly grown daughters can still imagine and create...

...like...well...like children! :)

*********************************************************************

I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas today...

...and a peace- and blessings-filled 2012!!

Red and White Raw Fleece Bag- Part 2 of 2

2011-12-23T09:53:00.000-05:00

The finished bag...

...with all of its little 'boingy bits'!

Don't these stitches look like Dr. Frankenstein did them?!?

The leather strap is long enough to be worn cross-body if desired.

Yet another Christmas gift out of the way...phew!!

After felting, I was relieved to see that my mystery fleece perked up proudly...

...and I like the combination of grey and brown in the finished felt.

The choice of a leather strap was the right one, I think...

...and I expect that it will be sturdier and less prone to discoloration...

...than a felted one would have been.

I also chose to use a pair of earth magnets this time...

...for a more subtle closure than my usual "one-button" one. :)

Next time: This year's handmade Christmas decorations...

...made by two of my daughters!!

Red and White Raw Fleece Bag- Part 1 of 2

2011-12-22T02:30:00.000-05:00

Covering a resist with white and red wool roving.

Adding loops (for the handle) and raw mystery fleece. :)

The finished bag...sans handle.

Machine piecing a brown leather strap...

...and attaching it to the loop.

This is a purse that I started at the Creative Felt Gathering last summer...

...since which time it has languished, sadly, in a darkened corner of my studio. :)

I finally decided to finish it (for gifting this Christmas)...

...and at first thought, I decided to try a felted strap with toggles at each end.

Unfortunately, when I fashioned one from white and red roving...

...it just didn't suit.

I then decided to craft a wide leather strap...

...by cutting up a piece of brown leather with my rotary cutter, and piecing it...

...then machine stitching it to the loops on each side of the bag.

Next time: the finished purse.

Pre-Felt Snippet Nuno Rug- Part 2 of 2

2011-12-20T02:30:00.000-05:00

The back side of the finished rug...

...and the front.

A close-up of its highly textured surface...

...and here...

...and here, too. :)

I don't often 'play favorites' with my projects...

...but I have to admit that this rug really makes me smile.

After felting, the pre-felt snippets just 'melted' into the rug's surface...

...and the cotton gauze ruched up beautifully, giving this piece a very soft, pebbly texture.

The colors from the bottom layers of art batts migrated through the cotton layer, as well...

...adding to the absolute 'riot of color' in this piece! :)

Pre-Felt Snippet Nuno Rug- Part 1 of 2

2011-12-18T02:30:00.000-05:00

Laying out art batts in a large rectangle.

Covering the wool with cotton gauze.

Adding pre-felt shapes.

Notice how the colors from the art batts are beginning to show through the gauze?

Wrapping the edges of the cotton layer around to the back during felting.

This rug is a Christmas present for my daughter, L...

...but I don't need to worry about ruining her surprise...

...since she's already seen images of it!

A month ago while we were Skyping...

...I showed it to her before it was even finished...

...and, that fast, she had claimed it for her own! :)

A piece this big takes a lot of work...

...but, luckily, my BF helped with the pre-felt lay out and some of the rolling.

Trying to find the perfect place for each little piece was a lot of fun...

...and I got to use up some of the smaller bits of pre-felt that I had in my stash.

Using gauze in this manner is a double-edged sword...

...there's a lot of shrinkage...

...but you also get a lovely, highly-textured surface.

Next time: the finished rug...

...in all of its wildness!! :)

'Silk Paper'-Accented Wine Bottle Carrier

2011-12-16T02:30:00.000-05:00

Spraying sari silk waste and tussah silk with a water and starch mixture.

The finished sari silk paper after ironing and drying...

...and a sheet made from green silk fiber.

Laying out the design...

...and covering it with wool roving.

After drying and trimming...

...and 'in use' from the front...

...and the side.

When my friend, Linda visited me recently...

...she showed me a beautiful scarf that she had made with silk paper and wool roving.

She explained to me that silk paper is surprisingly easy to make...

...you merely place layers of silk fiber onto a piece of parchment paper...

...spray them with a mixture of liquid starch and water...

...cover them with a second sheet of parchment paper...

...and iron them (on medium heat) until dry.

I tried it myself a few weeks ago for fun...

...and it worked like a charm!

Since I still needed to make a carrier for a gift bottle of wine...

...it seemed like the perfect time to 'test drive' this new technique.

I placed pencil roving 'branches' on the resist...

...and added leaves cut from silk paper.

I covered the resist with a few layers of wool roving...

...then felted the project until it was done.

After removing the resist, turning the piece right-side out, and drying it...

...I rounded off the top of the bag and cut a slit for the handle.

The silk attaches beautifully to the wool during felting...

...and retains its lustrous shine and the intact shape of the design...

...making this a wonderful technique for intricate shapes that would otherwise 'spread out'...

...if made, instead, from wool pre-felt.

Tencel and Merino Birthday Purse- Part 2 of 2

2011-12-14T02:30:00.000-05:00

The back side of the finished felt.

The bag with newly-stitched leather handle.

The front side of the finished purse...

...and the back.

I like the subtle shimmer that the tencel provides.

The opened purse with leather button loop.

The purse closure with Moroccan button.

I had fun trying out a new kind of fiber with this project (the tencel/merino blend)...

...and I thought that it felted beautifully.

The color gradation enhanced the very spare purse design...

...and the darkest color is at the purse bottom (to help camouflage wear and tear).

Since my friend lives in New York City, I wanted to make something compact...

...with a long strap, to wear cross-body for security.

For the closure, I used another of the buttons that my daughter brought me from Morocco...

...and I think that it makes the purse extra special! :)

Tencel and Merino Birthday Purse- Part 1 of 2

2011-12-12T03:18:00.000-05:00

Superfine merino and tencel roving.

Laying out the roving (from the 'outside-in')

Adding layers of spongy Hog Island wool for the purse lining.

Making an inner pocket.

Cutting a line for the flap.

Turning the purse 'right-side' out.

Cutting grey leather for a purse strap.

A friend of mine just had a 'big' birthday...

...and I wanted to send her something special.

I decided to 'break out' a braid of my special stash roving...

...a shimmery blend of superfine merino and tencel in greys, deep pinks and plums.

I wanted a long handle for this one...

...since she lives in New York City, and will certainly wear this bag cross-body.

I also had a piece of grey leather that was perfect with this roving....

...and thought it might make an especially sturdy strap.

I used a simple, rounded-off rectangle for the resist...

...and covered it with layers of merino/tencel roving...

...followed by a couple of layers of Hog Island fleece.

I often make the lining of a purse a little lighter...

...so you can see its contents a little more clearly! :)

Next time: the finished bag...

...with a Moroccan button!

"Stash Busting" Flat Felt Projects- Part 4 of 4

2011-12-10T04:10:00.000-05:00

Laying out art batts plus my own hand-spun yarn.

The back (unadorned) side of the felt.

After fashioning the finished felt into a large caddy.

I love this little curlicue!

It's a wildly-colored, rustic carry-all...

...that would also be great for storing books or magazines...

...or even a set or two of bed linens on a closet shelf!

Close-up detail of some of the hand-spun yarn accents.

This project originated in my head with a question...

...'what could I make with a large, flat sheet of felt...

...if I made as few cuts as possible'?

So I made two parallel cuts into each long side of the rectangle...

...and folded one set of sides up and one set up and around.

I then machine-stitched the sides together...

...adding darts where needed, to help keep the sides from sagging.

Lastly, I fashioned a pieced handle...

...from scraps of felt that I had left over from Parts 1 through 3.

It's quite a large basket...

...measuring nearly 2 ft long by 1 ft wide.

I think it would be nice for storing things on a high closet shelf...

...so it would be soft if it landed on your head as you took it down...

...unlike my usual plastic crates!! Giggle.

"Stash-Busting" Flat Felt Projects- Part 3 of 4

2011-12-08T02:30:00.000-05:00

Adding pencil roving and dyed tussah silk to layers of art batts.

Cutting pieces from the finished felt...

...this time, I let the added elements inform the design.

The finished container.

I love how the layers of color (from the blended batts) show up in the cut edges.

The felt is thick enough that the organic shape of the top 'stays put', without wilting.

The tussah silk gives it a crinkly and shimmery look.

All of the colors of the rainbow...

...for nearly any 'giftee'.

For this set of containers, I used the designs on the felt itself...

...to suggest a shape for the container tops.

These are a bit larger and taller than the earlier ones as well...

...and would be useful on a desk for a mass of pencils or pens.

Next time: a much larger project made with hand spun yarn-studded felt!

"Stash-Busting" Flat Felt Projects- Part 2 of 4

2011-12-06T02:30:00.000-05:00

Trimming more of the felt into shape.

After stitching...

...and folding down the top cuff.

Containers for holding anything you like.

Stitching a felt 'window' onto the back side of one piece of flat felt...

...and folding it over into a decorative cuff.

The random colors and texture (from the silk additions)...

...make for containers that (I hope) will be useful for many different 'giftees'.

I don't know about you...

...but I can never have enough little containers for holding things!

I love to sequester my 'stuff' in an orderly manner...

...and I think these may be useful for others, as well.

During felting, the lengths of silk yarn often twisted or extruded a bit...

...providing a fun bit of texture for the container's exterior.

Next time: another riff on this idea.

'Stash-Busting' Flat Felt Projects- Part 1 of 4

2011-12-04T04:37:00.000-05:00

Towers of art batts made with wool roving...

...and various other 'interesting' fibers from my stash.

Layering sections of batts...

...and adding silk yarn and blobs of dyed tussah silk.

...fulling the felted piece.

Cutting pieces from the finished felt...but for what?!? :)

Much like a teenage girl who is 'so over' some of the garments in her wardrobe...

...and wants to cast them off in favor of the newer and more fabulous...

...I was feeling this way recently about some of my stashed fiber.

Being of a 'waste-not, want-not' mindset, however...

...I tried to think of a new and fun way to use up this 'less-favored' fiber...

...so that I can play with my newest acquisitions with a clear conscience!! :)

So, I spent a couple of days with my drum carder...

...churning out batts made from many of the orphaned fibers in my stash.

I even used some fibers that I know to be difficult to felt...

...blending them with other 'known felters'. :)

I only stopped when the piles of batts were threatening to avalanche...

...and began laying out sections for my latest flat felt projects.

I added stripes of silk yarn in two different colors...

...and blobs of dyed tussah silk for shine.

I think you will recognize the blue 'translucent window' felt that I used in my cube project recently...

...but can you guess what I've made with the pieces in this last photo?

Next time: all of your questions will be answered...

...well, maybe not the existential ones. Giggle.

Brightly Colored Nuno Felt Pillow

2011-12-02T02:30:00.000-05:00

Silk fabric envelope enclosing a square plastic resist.

Laying out the variegated roving.

More layers.

The finished felt (before ironing)...

...and in close up.

The fully stuffed and stitched pillow...

...with a nice, nubby texture.

I'd been wanting to try a kind of nuno felt project...

...where you sew silk into an envelope around a resist...

...and felt the piece 'inside-out'.

I used a very densely-woven, re-purposed piece of silk...

...(something I wouldn't ordinarily risk)...

...and some of the 'difficult to felt' roving that I recently purchased from Wollknoll.

I figured that if they each 'took their time' in felting...

...they might be the perfect match in a nuno piece!! :)

Although the variegated roving ultimately felted quite well...

...the finished 'silk side' was not much to look at...

...and I decided to use the wool side for the pillow's exterior.

When it was fully felted and dried...

...I stuffed the pillow with a mass of wonky wool roving that I had on hand...

...and hand-stitched the open end closed.

Phew...another Christmas gift completed! :)

Felted Hand-Spun Yarn Scarf

2011-11-30T02:30:00.000-05:00

Sparkly art batt and hand-spun yarn.

Stitching strands of yarn together through wax paper.

The finished scarf...

...and closer...

...and closer, still.

Felted sections keep the strands of yarn from pulling apart...

...and tiny, stitched on beads add extra bling.

I recently read a tutorial for a scarf made from hand-spun yarn...

...with sections of fabric sewn on to hold the strands of yarn together.

I thought that this could easily be done with felt as well...

...and I decided to give it a whirl!

I had some beautiful core-spun yarn that my friend Linda made for me during a summer visit...

...and a sparkly pink art batt that she gifted me with as well...

...so I decided to try for a really feminine scarf!! :)

To hold the separate strands of yarn together at specific intervals...

...I machine stitched them between a strip of wax paper.

There are probably better ways of doing this...

...but the wax paper was easily removed after sewing...

...and it kept the yarn from getting caught and tangled as I stitched.

I then wrapped bits of batt around the sewn areas...

...and wet felted them into 'beads'.

When it was completed and dried...

...I hand-stitched small glass beads to each felt section for fun.

Now it's all ready for Christmas wrapping paper...

...and there's one more thing I can cross off my 'to do' list!! :)

Fused Glass...and A Winner!

2011-11-28T00:39:00.000-05:00

One of the fused glass 'nuggets' that I made this summer at the Creative Felt Gathering...

...and another.

The finished shawl...

...outdoors on an unseasonably sunny day yesterday...

...and here I think you can finally see its true colors. :)

The fused glass nugget photos have been lying around for some time...

...and I thought it was finally a good time to share them.

I was able to take the shawl outdoors yesterday in the sun...

...and I think you'll have a better idea, now, of the color green it actually is. :)

From a random number generator site...

...I drew the number of the winner.

Grazyna, you have won this shawl...

...please send your full name and mailing address to...

...heather(dot)woollove(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks to all who commented and entered the drawing.

Leafy Cobweb Shawl- Part 2 of 2

2011-11-26T02:30:00.000-05:00

Adding dyed flax bits...

...here in close up.

The back side of the finished shawl...

...and the front.

Some close ups of the finished color additions...

...but they are not quite 'true', color wise...

...since the actual color of the shawl is closer to this.

In true cobweb fashion...

...this scarf sports some 'open areas'...

...read 'holes'. :)

I've taken photos over a couple of days, now...

...but some are too washed out, and some are too green!

Suffice it to say that the true color lies somewhere in-between...

...and I think it would look pretty with lots of different jackets.

If you would like a chance to win this shawl...

...please leave a comment on this post (if you haven't already on Part 1)...

...and I will add you to the list.

I will close the drawing at Midnight (EST) on 11/27/11...

...and will announce the winner on 11/28/11.

Good luck!

Leafy Cobweb Shawl- Part 1 of 2

2011-11-24T02:30:00.000-05:00

Laying out roving...

...with my friend, Dawn, who was visiting from Michigan at the time. (Yay!)

Filling in the outline...

...and adding my own hand-spun orange yarn around the perimeter.

Wrapping wool around the yarn to make a firm edge...

...here, wetted out and seen in close-up.

While my friend, Dawn was here in August...

...we took the time to make a few projects together.

I'd been wanting to make another cobweb shawl (even had a particular shape in mind)...

...and Dawn was gracious enough to help!

It's always a treat for me, having someone to felt with, but Dawn is especially entertaining...

...the only 'down side' being that I often had to stop working to clutch my side for breath from laughing so hard!!

We laid out a single layer of variegated fresh green and yellow roving...

...then carefully placed a length of orange hand-spun yarn close to the perimeter.

We added a second layer of roving just to cover the yarn...

...and folded the roving over the yarn to encase it.

***************************************************************
Because this time of year can be especially stressful...

...(especially for those of us who make handmade gifts for holiday giving)...

...I am offering this shawl as a give away.

You are welcome to keep it...

...or 'gift' it...as you see fit. :)

Please leave a comment on this post, or Saturday's post (11/26)...

...and I will add your name to the drawing.

****************************************************************

Next time: the finished shawl...

...and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers!! XXO-

"Sampler" Needle-Case

2011-11-22T02:30:00.000-05:00

Felted needle-case with beads...

...sari silk waste and sari silk ribbon.

With the ribbon closure tied...front side...

...and back side.

Green felt pages (left-overs from my 'couture jacket')...

...sewn in with bead accents.

While I was in Michigan for the Creative Felt Gathering...

...I took a little time on our 'free afternoon' just to play around with wool.

One of my fellow students had a lovely felted needle-case with her...

...and I thought that it would be a quick and fun project to try!

There were also several felting techniques that I'd been dying to attempt...

...so I decided to incorporate them all into one case, like an old-fashioned 'sampler'!! :)

My friend, Kim often felts ribbon or lace into her felt...

...and then uses it as a tie closure.

My friend, Nicola uses beads, threaded onto a narrow piece of roving...

...to felt beads into a project without sewing.

And my friend, Pam, who was, luckily, also present at the CFG...

...stitches beads to the 'fold lines' of her finished needle cases...

...to prettily hold the pages in place.

I cut a small foam resist and covered it with layers of wool roving...

...then added strips of sari silk, holding them in place with wisps of wool.

(If you wet the strips of silk first, it helps to flatten them out for proper placement.)

I found a needle that would fit, easily, through the holes in my beads...

...then threaded it with a thin strand of wool roving, and pulled beads onto the fiber.

I laid these out onto the project surface, along with some sari silk waste...

...and began felting.

I treated this project like a mini-bookcover...

...but cut a slit, instead of an oval, in order to remove the resist.

I cut pages of finished felt to fit the case...

...and attached them with bead accents placed on the inside and outside of the case.

As it was a 'sampler', I wasn't too concerned with design or element placement this time...

...but it did give me a good idea about how to use these techniques in the future!

Orange Flower Purse- Part 2 of 2

2011-11-20T02:30:00.000-05:00

The fully felted purse.

Clamping the petals to create 3-D texture.

A close-up of the petals, silk yarn and snippets of pencil roving.

The purse back with trimmed flap.

Pearlescent vintage buttons for the closure.

The finished purse.

This purse was a little tricky to do...

...but, boy, was it worth it!

I found that after I had felted the piece for some time...

...I still felt a little 'wobble' in the center where the petals attached.

Taking a few stitches with a large needle and silk yarn seemed to do the trick...

...and I could then finish felting the bag without fear. :)

I decided that rather than having inner pockets or flaps of any kind...

...I would trim the flaps and have the bag opening follow the circular pattern of the flower.

In order to keep the bag's contents secure...

...I stitched two buttons to the inside of the bag back...

...and made button-holes on the front flap of the bag (where they are hidden by a petal).

Orange Flower Purse- Part 1 of 2

2011-11-18T01:34:00.000-05:00

Layout...using a wool batt with multi-colored cotton dots.

Prepping for the first petal layer.

Laying out the first petal...

...and the second...

...and the third...

...then adding snippets of variegated pencil roving to the flower's center.

Felting the purse until it passes the 'pinch test'.

Cutting out the handle...

...and stuffing it with wool roving, prior to stitching, to give it a nice, rounded shape.

My across-the-sea friend, Deborah and I...

...have been using each other for inspiration quite a bit in the last few months!

I was especially taken with a flower cushion that she made recently...

...as was our friend, Kelly, who tried one, too...

...and in orange, no less!!! :)

But because I made so many pillows for Christmas gifts last year...

...I was feeling a little 'over them', and wanted to try something new...

...and, surprise, surprise(!), I thought of making...a purse!! Giggle.

I designed a new, smaller resist with a narrower handle...

...and since I was making it for myself, I decided to make it in orange!! :)

I covered the resist with fiber from a wool batt that was blended with multi-colored cotton dots...

...then made 3 resists out of pieces of bubble wrap, cutting holes into each center.

As each petal was finished, I layered the project with another piece of bubble wrap...

...keeping the holes centered, so that all of the petals would connect in the middle.

As a decorative element, and to ensure that my layers would felt together well...

...I made basting stitches in the flower's center with a length of silk yarn.

Next time: the finished purse...

...with pearlescent vintage buttons!

Painted Silk Messenger Bag- Part 2 of 2

2011-11-16T02:30:00.000-05:00

Trimming the inner 'pocket' flap...for better fit inside the bag.

The finished bag (back side)...

...and front (with un-trimmed front flap).

A closer look at the back...

...and front.

Preparing to sew the inner pockets.

The finished multi-pocket flap.

The finished front flap after trimming and top-stitching.

As per my friend's preference...

...I made a 'pocket flap' with discrete, segmented pockets this time...

...in order to create more organization within!

I used 'doves of peace' fabric to line the pockets...

...both for it's complementary color, and it's energy. :)

I considered leaving the front flap untrimmed for some time...

...but finally decided that I preferred more of the silk showing...

...and that by trimming and top-stitching it, I could showcase it better.

I made the bag handle very long on this one...

...so that Melissa can wear it 'cross body' as she likes.

Next time: Something wonderfully orange (for me!!)...

...and P.S. : Melissa was well pleased with this gift! (Whew!!)

Painted Silk Messenger Bag- Part 1 of 2

2011-11-14T02:30:00.000-05:00

Painted silk gauze and coordinating merino roving.

Laying out roving along the resist perimeter.

Adding the painted silk gauze.

Covering the gauze with roving...

...white over the design so that it would 'pop'!

Adding more roving to the back side of the purse.

The finished layout...front side with encased silk...

...and back side.

Cutting out the handle and removing the resist.

This is a messenger bag that I made for a swap with my friend, Melissa...

...and it was a first for me, since it was a collaboration!!

She provided the hand-painted silk gauze (oh, so lovely!!)...

...and I found complementary colors of roving and then felted them into a bag!

It was a bit nerve-wracking for me at first...

...wanting to 'do right' by her work and show off this amazing design!

Next time: I'll show you the finished bag...

...and tell you what she thought of it!! :)

Two Projects From Art Batts- Part 4 of 4

2011-11-12T08:51:00.000-05:00

Laying out a thin layer of blue roving and rolling it in bubble wrap to make holes in the pre-felt.

Adding a layer of white and green roving to one side of the perforated pre-felt.

The finished felt...showing white and green in the 'open' areas.

The same piece held up to the light.

(You can see that the white/green layer is very thin and translucent.)

After stitching and trimming around the open top of the cube.

The finished cube with a circular embellishment...

...and more on this side!!

When I was at Felter's Fling, one of my classmates made beautiful, cobwebby pre-felt...

...by laying out a thin layer of roving on bubble wrap...

...and rolling it very fast and hard for a brief time.

This pre-felt could then be laid out on a second layer of roving or pre-felt...

...for a lovely decorative effect!

Since this cube project cried out for a bit of embellishment...

...I decided that it was high time to try this technique!

After felting the 'perforated' blue piece...

...I cut it into circular bits and machine stitched them to the cube.

I also stitched around the top of the cube (to hold down the flaps)...

...and trimmed off the extra felt.

Because I used a very thin layer of light colors for the back layer of the blue felt...

...the holes look rather like translucent windows!

Next time: A painted silk messenger bag that is a collaboration with a friend!!

Two Projects From Art Batts- Part 3 of 4

2011-11-11T09:28:00.000-05:00

Laying out fiber.

After felting...the bottom (one pointy end) of the project...

...and the top (with a hole cut) after the resist has been removed.

Cutting in toward each corner with scissors...

...and voila, it's an open-topped cube!! :)

From another angle...

...and from the top.

Surprised?

It sure is a strange-looking resist that produces a cube (or box) like this!!

The trick is to lay out roving on each section of the two-part resist...

...placing bubble wrap between the layers as you work, so the sections don't felt together.

When the felt is starting to shrink and constrict the resist...

...you make a cut at one pointy end and remove it.

(If you want a box and not an open-topped cube...

...make a smaller cut somewhere along another edge for resist removal!)

Continue to felt the piece until it is finished...

...then dry it and make cuts into the four corners for the top flaps.

Next time: Storage cube embellishments!

Two Projects From Art Batts- Part 2 of 4

2011-11-10T08:39:00.001-05:00

Covering the resist with fiber.

Adding deep red roving for the inner layer, plus a layer of cotton gauze for strength.

The back of the finished purse...

...and the front.

Vintage buttons change a rather dull purse into something special!

I barely had time to finish felting this bag...

...before my middle daughter whisked it off for herself.

Since it wasn't the most exciting bag I had ever made...

...she jazzed it up with a bunch of vintage buttons from my stash!

You can see that she didn't even wait for a sunny day to photograph it properly...

...but into her suitcase it went, and off to Minneapolis! :)

**********************************************************************

Mystery resist...

...can you guess what this will become?

(Felter's Fling participants will certainly know!!) :)

Next time: the mystery is solved! Giggle.

Two Projects From Art Batts- Part 1 of 4

2011-11-09T02:30:00.000-05:00

Blending different fibers for art batts.

Shimmery sari silk waste.

Some finished batts...

...with big chunks of color...

...and in all different colourways!

Laying out project # 1: a peanut-shaped resist bag.

I have a lot of oddball fibers in my stash...

...and in late summer, I thought it would be fun to utilize my drum carder...

...and make some sassy mixed-fiber batts!

I blended bits of wool and mohair, tussah silk, alpaca...

...variegated pencil roving, sari silk waste and cotton sliver...

...into these interestingly-textured batts.

The first project is a (ho-hum...the 'usual') peanut-shaped resist bag...

...but after I had felted this one, my middle daughter took it away for embellishing...

...and wait until you see how cute it is!! :)

Next time: the finished bag...

...plus a sneak peek at project # 2!!

Green Felt Bag With Seams- Part 2 of 2

2011-11-07T02:30:00.000-05:00

The felted bag with matching leather straps (a gift from my friend, Nicola).

A good view of the exterior pockets. Don't they look like smiles? :)

After sewing machine seaming (back side)...

...and the front of the bag.

The back side again...in close-up.

The bag turned inside-out during the 'amputation of the protruberences'. :)

(notice how the exterior pockets look from the inside of the bag!)

The bag's new post-surgical appearance (back side)...

...and the finished bag front.

After working so hard to finish this ginormous felt bag...

...at the end of the day, I was left feeling rather unhappy and at sea. :(

Luckily, Elis had access to a scary old sewing machine at the Creative Felt Gathering...

...and she worked her magic on it by sewing shaping seams into the finished felt!

Reducing the size and adding some curves didn't solve all of my problems, however...

...since there was still the matter of the weird boingy bits at the bag's bottom!

As these things are wont to do, my small dreads had grown to gargantuan proportions during felting...

...and I had no idea what to do with them!!

After tying them 'up' or 'together', or coiling them didn't solve my problem...

....but merely made what is already a rather ungainly purse even more so...

...I made the harsh decision to amputate!!

At just over 20 inches across at the bottom, now...

...it's a bag which can finally actually be carried (woohoo!!). :)

Green Felt Bag With Seams- Part 1 of 2

2011-11-05T07:51:00.000-04:00

Initial bag sketch...

...transformed into a resist.

Laying out roving for an inner pocket.

Adding the first layer of roving...

...for a tri-color bag.

Wrapping wool around the resist and adding additional layers of color.

Working this large (with the ends hanging over the sides of the table) was rather challenging. :)

Felting the bag with a pottery 'felting stone'.

At the Creative Felt Gathering this summer...

...I took a 'complex bag' class from one of my favorite people in the whole world...

...the fierce and loving Elis Vermeulen. :)

Prior to beginning a project, she recommends taking the time to sketch out your ideas...

...and I utilize this method often, feeling like it really helps me to crystallize my thoughts...

...and provide a 'plan of action'.

Something about the scale of Elis' own felt work (huge!) and her encouraging presence...

...always makes me want to push myself in these classes!

And, much like last year, I again challenged myself to try something quite large!! :)

For the exterior pockets (designed to be pushed inward after felting)...

...I hand-stitched three foam pieces to the main resist surface like 'flaps'.

I used a second method to make the interior pocket...

...covering a small piece of foam resist with several layers of roving, folding the top edge down...

...and then flipping it over onto the surface of the main resist.

Felting was a bit awkward due to the size of the piece vis a vis the size of my work surface...

...but I persevered anyway, and will show you the much altered finished bag next time! :)

Birthday Scarves

2011-11-04T02:30:00.000-04:00

Laying out silk pieces on bubble wrap.

Adding a layer of wool roving...

...over the entire bubble wrap surface.

Adding two long pieces of synthetic fabric...

...(in order to make both scarves at once).

Separating and fulling the individual scarves.

One of the completed scarves.

Taking a page from my friend, Dawn's book...

...I took it a little 'easier' while making these birthday scarves for my two youngest daughters. :)

Unfortunately, this time I made the mistake of using a 'synthetic silk' for the nuno layer...

...a problem that I'll chalk up to vendor hyperbole on Philadelphia's Fabric Row. :(

I laid out the silk bits and wool roving for both scarves at once...

...leaving a 'no-man's land' between them when I added the synthetic sections.

As disappointed as I was with the way this 'fake silk' felted (or didn't, as the case may be)...

...I did get the sense that my 'gentle felting' did the trick this time...

...helping to keep the scarf margins straight and the shrinkage minimal.

Silk Bits Scarf

2011-11-02T02:00:00.000-04:00

Picking colors from my stash of silk fabrics.

One layer of silk gauze topped with wool roving.

Adding cut out pieces of silk fabric.

Wetting out the scarf.

The finished scarf...

...and up close...here.

When my dear friend, Dawn, and I encountered Hurricane Irene at the Felter's Fling...

...we thought it best to acquiesce to her power and head home immediately. ;)

And since we now had an extra day together to fiddle with felt...

...we decided to attempt some of the new projects and techniques that we had each seen or tried...

...or even just heard about from other felters at 'Fling'!

What struck me, as we worked that day...

...was just how disparate our 'felting personalities' are when it's just the two of us!

In class, with lots of others, I don't usually take much notice of Dawn's meticulous and tidy work.

But while I was crashing around that day, throwing and stretching and generally abusing my scarf...

...she was here patting hers (with one little finger, sometimes!), tidying the edges...

...and making small adjustments with teeny, tiny scissors.

Not surprisingly, Dawn's finished scarf turned out to be perfectly rectangular and full-sized...

...while this one ended up looking a bit wonky (shape-wise), and more like a 'scarflette' in length!! Giggle.

So why am I telling you all of this?

I guess it's because I find this to be one of the most wonderful things about feltmaking...

...that you really can find your own path and method of creating...

...while continuing to learn skills and techniques from others along your journey!

For me, precision is absolutely essential in my professional life as a hospital Pharmacist...

...where sometimes, even a microgram can make the difference between life and death.

When I make felt, I like to feel wild and free and unfettered...

...and that's why I often prefer projects that are uneven, raw, or organic in nature!

So...I continue to grow as an artist and feltmaker...

...learning which technique works for which kind of project...

...and perhaps this lesson from Dawn...a slightly more gentle approach with my next scarf? :)

Raw Fleece Rug Redux- Part 2 of 2

2011-10-31T02:00:00.000-04:00

Rolling the project in a rubber 'non-slip' rug mat.

The cotton gauze backing is starting to ruche...and that means we're finally getting somewhere!

A close up of the finished rug...

...with light and dark areas...

...and shorter and 'more boingy' bits...

...for lots of texture on your toesies! :)

The finished rug, drying on a large plastic bucket...

...a rug this large and heavy takes days to dry!

The finished rug.

I like to use black roving in these projects, because when it migrates to the front...

...it really highlights the crevices between the fleece tufts.

You can see that some of the locks are a glorious gold color with a long staple length...

...and others are more 'moss-like' in appearance after felting.

When visitors see this rug for the first time...

...they almost always pull off their shoes and socks for a little 'feel'! :)

Raw Fleece Rug Redux- Part 1 of 2

2011-10-29T08:38:00.001-04:00

Laying out raw locks.

Note the differences in fleece quality and color...

...this was a 'mixed bag' of fleece from several different breeds.

Covering it with a layer of black wool roving...

...until the fleece disappears from view.

Covering the whole shebang with a layer of cotton gauze.

Using an electric sander atop a bamboo blind...

...for extra vibration!

My daughter, L, taking a turn with the sander.

Time to start rolling!

Just days before my daughter, L, left for graduate school in August...

...she helped me to make a 'fleece-in-the-grease' rug for myself!

You may remember that we made one for her earlier this year, here...

...when we knew that she was heading to Minnesota...and her first really cold winter!!

We used the same mixed bag of fleece that I had gotten from an area farmer...

...and exactly the same technique.

It was a little bittersweet, though, working on this project...

...since I knew that she would be so far away for so long this time. :(

The good news is that I have this lovely rug in 'pride of place' in my living room...

...and the wonderful memories of another long and hard, but mostly fun day spent working together!!

Next time: the finished rug.

Bag With 'Resist-Dyed' Accent- Part 2 of 2

2011-10-27T01:30:00.000-04:00

Sewing the floral pocket lining to the inner bag flap.

The finished inside pocket.

Sewing on the resist-dyed accent piece.

The finished bag from the back...

...and in close-up (I think you can really see the purple/blue color blend here).

The bag front with tagua nut button...

...and up close.

When I returned home from the Creative Felt Gathering this year...

...with several lovely but modestly-sized resist-dyed felt pieces...

...I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with them!

Certainly, they would be delightful as framed art pieces...

...and some might even be large enough to use in fashioning a zippered change purse or two.

So far, however, this is the only one that I've used...

...because it seemed clear to me that this bag (in these colors)...

...was just meant for this particular piece of patterned felt! :)

I machine stitched it to the flap of the bag...

...sewing very close to the edges of the resist-dyed piece...

...and placing it in such a way as to allow for a centered button closure.

Bag With 'Resist-Dyed' Accent- Part 1 of 2

2011-10-25T01:30:00.000-04:00

Blue wool roving layer.

Adding light- and dark-purple layers.

Next, a pale lavender layer with blue tussah silk accents.

Stuffing the handle with a core of wool roving to round it out.

The finished bag front (as yet unadorned)...

...with the flap 'up'...

...and from the back.

This messenger bag is one that I made for a swap recently...

...and I used layers of different colored roving to build depth in the finished felt.

I wanted the strap to be quite round and firm this time...

...so I stuffed the cut out handle with a 'filling' of wool roving.

Next time: the resist-dyed addition...

...plus another tagua nut button!

Chad Alice Hagen's Bark Scarf

2011-10-23T04:30:00.000-04:00

Dyes and table preparation.

Some of Chad's sample scarves in different colourways.

'Our' dyepot. :)

Stitching the 'once dyed' scarf.

Pulling the strings tight.

After overdyeing and removing the strings...

...the finished scarf...

...both visually and texturally bark-like!

At the Creative Felt Gathering this year...

...I was lucky enough to take two dyeing classes with the amazing Chad Alice Hagen.

In this class, we made one of her famous bark scarves...

...using Japanese shaped resist dyeing techniques (Shibori).

Our group used chestnut dye for our first 'dip'...

...a notorious 'splitter' which, interestingly, turned into many colors after dyeing.

Then, after an afternoon of quite daunting hand-stitching...

...we were ready for the second dye pot.

As you can see...

...I used a lovely red for my second 'dip'.

The fun thing about this scarf is that it both looks and feels like bark when you're through...

...making it a special addition to any fall or winter wardrobe!

Banana Bread Recipe..Plus Bag Winner

2011-10-21T01:00:00.000-04:00

Banana bread...

...a fall treat that's easy and satisfying.

Well, the winner of my 2 Year Bag-i-versary bag is Riet...

(Riet...please send your mailing address to me at heather(dot)woollove(at)gmail.com)

...and for the rest of you, here's a sweet recipe to try!

BANANA BREAD

1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 very ripe bananas
2 eggs
1 & 1/4 c flour
1/2 c chopped pecans or walnuts

Cream butter and sugar.
Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth.
Spread into greased 10 X 13-inch pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Enjoy!

Note:I buy extra bananas and let them get overly ripe, then pop them into the freezer for later use.

2 Year Bag-i-versary- Part 3 of 3

2011-10-19T02:47:00.000-04:00

The felted silk squares...

...and after stitching.

Inner pleats sewn into the body of the bag.

The bag exterior with handles and leather button loops.

The back of the bag.

The bag front with Moroccan buttons.

The completed bag. Finally! :)

As you can see...

...this bag underwent extensive 'surgery' to become its final 'self'! :)

I narrowed the bag flap...

...and sewed panels into it as well.

I stitched seams in the bottom of the bag to make it more roomy...

...and pleats along the opening for shaping.

I removed the wonky handle and cut it in half...

...then doubled it and sewed it together again, lengthwise...

...attaching it to the bag back for a more 'pocketbook' kind of look.

I cut strips of brown leather...

...and attached them to the asymmetrical flap points for button loops...

...then sewed on buttons that my daughter brought me from one of her trips to Morocco.

Remember that if you haven't yet commented on any of the three
'2 Year Bag-i-versary' posts...

...now is the time!

I will be closing the drawing at Midnight tonight (October 19th) E.S.T...

...and posting the name of the winner on Friday.

Good luck!

2 Year Bag-i-versary- Part 2 of 3

2011-10-17T02:17:00.001-04:00

Laying out the final row of hand-dyed silk squares...

...and in close up.

After the initial felting..."Where did all of my pretty colors go?" :(

A needle-felting 'fix'.

One side of the (phew..finally!) fully felted bag...

...and the other.

As you can see...

...this bag fought me every step of the way!

After felting for a much longer time than usual...

...I still couldn't get the Wollknoll 'fine multicolor merino tops' to felt, no matter how I tried...

...and the silk gauze wouldn't felt in for me either!

I also noticed that the icing dyes had faded quite dramatically during felting...

...especially the bright yellow-green!

I decided to secure the silk squares with a multiple-needle felting tool...

...and pop it into the washing machine (well-wrapped and with bubble wrap between the layers)...

...to see if it would help.

I checked and stretched and repositioned it every four minutes...

...until it reached a well-felted stage.

All of this time and effort notwithstanding...

...I was still unhappy with the bag's shape and general appearance...

...and I had to scramble for yet another 'save'! :)

Next time: how a little judicious sewing saves the day!

2 Year Bag-i-versary- Part 1 of 3

2011-10-15T03:33:00.000-04:00

New multicolored wool roving from Wollknoll.

Laying roving onto the resist...

...and here...

...adding a layer of cotton gauze.

More layers of wool roving.

Wetting and wrapping the roving around the resist.

Adding hand-dyed silk squares.

Even though I can hardly believe it...

...in a few short days' time, I will have been blogging for two whole years!

And as odd as this sounds, it's been a lot like having a new baby...

...who wasn't there...

...until she was...

...and then you can no longer imagine your life without her! :)

So, to thank all of you who read or follow or comment...

...or who have, over time, become true and dear friends to me...

...I will be having a give-away to mark the occasion!

It is for a bag that I have struggled over...

...(in truth, am struggling over, still)...

...but which I hope will turn out very pretty in the end.

I laid out variegated wool roving on the resist...

...then added more roving and a layer of cotton gauze for strength.

For a decorative touch, I added irregular squares of silk gauze...

...which I hand-dyed in the microwave using non-toxic icing dyes.

Next time: the real struggle commences!

P.S. If you comment on any of the three 2 Year Bag-i-versary posts...

...you will automatically be entered in the give-away drawing!

CFG Raw Fleece Purse #2- Part 2 of 2

2011-10-13T02:15:00.000-04:00

After attaching the strap...back side.

The purse front.

With the addition of a button closure.

A close up of the tagua nut (corozo) button...

...notice how the brown Icelandic fleece has migrated through the layers of white wool roving to the inside of the bag?

This bag is delightfully wild...

...and I especially love the different shades of color in the locks...

...(could it be that this sheep visited her hairdresser regularly for highlights?!?!?!) Giggle.

I debated the color of the leather strap on this bag for some time...

...since I had pieces of both brown leather and natural deer-hide.

In the end, though, I decided that the brown was not exactly the right shade...

...and that the lighter strap echoed the paler color of the sunburnt fleece tips.

After machine stitching the strap to the purse...

...I used a pair of sharp scissors to cut a hole for the button closure.

Using waxed beading thread...

...I stitched all around the buttonhole opening for strength.

Then, keeping in mind the placement of the buttonhole...

...I hand-stitched a tagua nut button to the inside of the purse.

CFG Raw Fleece Bag #2- Part 1 of 2

2011-10-11T03:04:00.000-04:00

Laying out raw Icelandic locks onto a wool roving-covered resist.

Wetting them down and beginning to felt.

During felting...

...and here.

Making a leather strap from deer hide.

This is the second (of three) raw fleece purses...

...that I made at the Creative Felt Gathering this year.

I cut a template for the resist...

...and covered it with three thin layers of white wool roving.

Next, I added sections of raw Icelandic fleece...

...placing the cut ends 'down' onto the surface of the roving.

After wetting down and rubbing the piece on both sides for a loooooong time...

...I rolled it for a bit and finished felting it...

...taking care to keep the tips of the locks as loose and free as possible.

After returning home, I trimmed deer hide into a strip, stitched it lengthwise...

...and attached it to the bag for a shoulder strap.

Next time: the finished purse...

...with a tagua nut button closure.

Resist Dyeing With Chad Alice Hagen

2011-10-09T04:12:00.000-04:00

'Tools of the trade'.

A piece still showing fold lines from the dye bath.

Flattened out and drying.

The finished pieces...

...and here...

...and my favorite one. (Wonder why?) :)

At the Creative Felt Gathering in September...

...I was lucky enough to have two classes with the inimitable Chad Alice Hagen!

For our first one...

...we did resist dyeing using all manner of clamps, clips, pieces of rusty metal, heat-resistant plastic, and wood.

Chad is a remarkably orderly and efficient teacher...

...and you come away from each class with her...

...just filled with techniques and wonderful new possibilities for your own art!

Utilizing three different-colored dye baths...

...and re-folding and clipping (or not...as you choose) between colors...

...each of us made gloriously patterned felt pieces to use as we wish!

In a week or so...

...I will be showing you how I used one of these pieces in a very special way!

Arboretum Visit

2011-10-07T03:35:00.001-04:00

Brown and white-capped mushrooms.

Datura arborea (I think).

Sunlight filtering through the leaves.

A giant planter filled with pumpkins and gourds.

Milkweed pods.

A sundial sculpture...designed by artist Mark Mennin.

Ornamental peppers...

...and pinecones.

I took a quick trip to visit one of my daughters this week...

...and we spent a lovely afternoon walking around the arboretum at Penn State University.

It was the perfect day, with sun and cool breezes...

...and many things still in bloom.

Icelandic-Cross Raw Fleece Purse

2011-10-05T04:36:00.000-04:00

Laying out an inner pocket.

Adding raw locks...note the color of these locks and compare it to the finished bag...this fleece was absolutely filthy!

A peek at the olive and aqua merino lining.

(Please ignore the white stitches holding the straps on...
...I hand-sewed them while at the Creative Felt Gathering...
...and haven't yet covered them with a bit of olive felt.)

The finished bag in all of its hairy glory! :)

The perfect vintage button for this bag...
...given to me by my sweet friend, Melissa!

The back side of the bag.

Black nylon webbing makes a fitting strap.

See the olive roving peeking through the raw locks?

This is one of three raw fleece bags...

...that I made at the Creative Felt Gathering last month.

Elis Vermeulen was the instructor for this class...

...and she was (as always) truly inspiring!!!

She has a conceptual and highly physical way of teaching...

...and she delights in experimentation and artistic challenges!

I adore her...

...both as a teacher, and as a friend.

I purchased these locks at the Endless Mountains Fiber Festival recently...

...and I really wasn't certain how well they would felt.

I used olive green and aqua merino roving for my first layers...

...then added the locks with their cut ends down.

(This is a departure from my usual manner of placing cut ends up and covering them with roving and gauze!)

As a 'wild girl' at heart...

...I just love these hairy raw wool bags...

...and when I realized that I had recently been given the perfect button for the bag closure...

...I was in heaven!!

If you use nylon webbing for a strap, just remember...

...fuse the cut ends with a lit match prior to stitching...

...so they don't unravel!

'Peace Felt' Swap Gifts

2011-10-03T02:37:00.000-04:00

Here are the wonderful gifts that I received from my Peace Felt partner this week.

A lovely silk nuno scarf made with dyed locks and Angelina.

A long, beaded necklace featuring felt discs.

A stunning (and certainly labor-intensive!) scarf made with geometric flowers.

I'm sorry that the last few days here have been so overcast...

...because these photographs don't do the gifts justice!!

My swap partner really outdid herself, making all of these pretty and feminine things...

...and though she claims to be a 'beginning felter', I just can't believe it!!

I'm so happy that we 'met' through the Peace Felt Project...

...because now I have a fun new friend!! :)

Thanks, again, Nancy!!

"We Felt United" 2011

2011-10-01T02:14:00.001-04:00

Needle-felting layers of prefelt together...

...in order to sequester a piece of fused glass!

Making a loop and toggle closure.

The finished cuff...

...with glass 'cabochon' partially exposed...

...held in place by a hardened ring of felt.

Garnet beads (stitched on in the pre-felt stage)...finish the cuff.

I'd like to wish each of you a very happy 3rd International Day of Felt!

For this project, I combined Pam MacGregor's wonderful felt cuff class at the Creative Felt Gathering...

...with this year's Felt United colors: red, purple and blue!

I stitched garnet beads to the pre-felt surface prior to wet felting...

...and trimmed it into its finished shape after it was partially felted.

If you get the opportunity...

...I highly recommend taking a class with Pam!

She provides many examples of unique and beautiful cuffs...

...and teaches all of the necessary techniques in a fun and informative way!

Creative Felt Gathering 2011- Impressions

2011-09-29T02:48:00.000-04:00

Sue with her wonderful 'complex resist' bag.

The lovely and delightful Amira Mudfaery at work.

Our raw fleece and complex bag studio.

With my friend, Dawn...wearing our raw fleece bags as hats! :)

Resist dyeing tools.

A Camp Dainava totem pole.

Our 'graduation ceremony' with Pam MacGregor, Chad Alice Hagen, Elis Vermeulen, and Jone Rakoski presiding.

I spent last week in Manchester, Michigan at the 2nd Annual Creative Felt Gathering...

...and, as usual, it was awesome!

I had a chance to catch up with dear old friends, make some new ones...

...and learn lots and lots of felting tips and techniques!

Everyone there was a talented feltmaker in his/her own right...

...and the energy and creative 'aura' of the group was palpable!!

I returned home filled to the brim with good will and fellowship...

...and inspiration enough for a thousand new projects!!

Next time: What I made at camp! Giggle.

Meiosis Scarf- Part 3 of 3

2011-09-27T02:56:00.000-04:00

The finished layout.

After encasing the yarn in roving and wetting it out.

Midway through felting.

The finished shawl.

Some eggs in close-up...

...and some sperm.

The finished piece on a sunny day!

Well, here you have it...

...one of the strangest shawls you're ever likely to see! :)

Even my daughters think it's a little bit weird...

...and they don't believe me when I assure them that the average passer-by won't realize what it is at all...

...and will just think it's just some sort of random design!

I'm looking forward to testing my theory in a crowd of people...

...as soon as it finally cools off enough to wear it :)

Meiosis Shawl- Part 2 of 3

2011-09-25T05:39:00.000-04:00

Adding...you guessed it...a few sperm...

...AKA gametes...germ cells...'little swimmers'! :)

Next, a bunch of eggs (ova)...

...and don't forget chromosomes!

As with my 6-legged spider from a previous post...

...I'm taking a few liberties with the embryonic reality of this event!

And even though there could never be this many human eggs vying for fertilization in one woman at one time...

...I just like the way they look.

As for the large number of sperm...

...a college professor of mine once said that even though you only need one sperm to achieve fertilization of a single child...

...you do need a 'cheering section'! :)

Now since this is probably more than most of you really wanted to know (giggle)...

...I'll sign off with the promise of Part 3 in two days!

Meiosis Shawl- Part 1 of 3

2011-09-23T04:52:00.018-04:00

Laying out an outline with green yarn (not my hand-spun).

Filling in with a single layer of green roving...

...and more...

and more!

Adding white areas...

...to represent cellular division!

Now I'm sure that many of you are already shaking your heads and wondering...

..."just what exactly has gotten into her with this latest crazy project?!?!" :)

Ever since I made my Summer Shawl...

...I've been wanting to try another one!

I also ADORE science and its attendant imagery...

...and thought it would be lovely to do a series on 'creating life'...

...from the cellular level!! :)

So I laid out a single layer of green roving...

...and wrapped the edges around the piece of green yarn that made the shawl outline.

I then added two 'piles' of white roving in concentric circles...

...to suggest a dividing cell.

Next time: a cheering section of gametes!

"Peace Felt" Project- Part 3 of 3

2011-09-21T06:33:00.002-04:00

The back of the purse.

The inner flap.

My finished Peace Felt project.

The front flap with hand-spun yarn Peace Sign.

Check out this perfect vintage button!

The opened purse (back side)...

...and front.

Happy Peace Felt Day to you all!!

Peace Felt is a project that's intended to "create a continuous circle of peace and sisterhood that has no beginning and no end".

I loved making this gift for my 'receiving partner'...

...and I'm sure that I will love the gift that my 'sending partner' sends me as well.

Peace baby, peace!! XXO-

"Peace Felt" Project- Part 2 of 3

2011-09-19T05:11:00.002-04:00

Cutting out the handle.

Pullling back the flap that will become a pocket.

Turning the bag right-side out and hand-stitching the handle.

The back side of the purse.

The doves of peace fabric that I used for the pocket lining.

The inner pocket...

...and in close-up.

Because I am a fabric lover...

...I still have a bit of a stash in my rarely-used sewing room.

And after a bit of searching...

...I was delighted to find a piece that suited this project perfectly!

I made this bag in the usual manner...

...turning it right-side out and stitching up the handle before the final felting.

Next time: the finished bag...

...with a fabulous vintage button!

"Peace Felt" Project- Part 1 of 3

2011-09-17T04:08:00.000-04:00

Laying out the front of the bag.

The bag back with hand-spun yarn.

Adding more variegated roving...

...in a circular pattern.

Making the inside of the bag flap.

Pax = Peace.

Close-up of the pencil roving.

I'm participating in the Peace Felt swap this year...

...and now that I've finally mailed my gift off, I can show it to all of you!!

I decided to make one of my 'peanut-shaped resist' bags...

...and pack in as many peaceful images as I could! :)

I worked (as I often do) from the inside-out...

...and used sherbet-colored variegated roving that reminded me of the '70's!

I made two Peace signs with my hand-spun yarn...

...and wrote the word 'Pax' on the inner bag flap.

Next time: more progress photos...

...and one last 'Peace' detail! :)

My Own Couture Garment- Part 2

2011-09-15T04:08:00.000-04:00

Close-up of the stitching on my handmade felt button.

Adding a loop to the back.

Cutting black leather to size.

Covering all of the ugly foundation stitches.

The garment back.

A close-up of the golden-brown bits in the felt.

The garment front.

As you can see...

...my finished garment ended up being rather straightforward in style.

Despite a week spent making flounces and flourishes...

...in the end, the only couture detail I could commit to was a button! :)

Maybe this is one of the joyful lessons of mid-life...

...accepting one's own personal style, and fashioning something to suit?

After all, this is a project that (for once) won't be given away...

...and one which has already found a home among my fall wardrobe!