Heart and 'Thumbprint' Sample Tote- Part 2 of 2

Mid-way through felting...

                                          ...the tote is turned right-side out...

                                      ...and a 'U'-shaped slit is cut into each side...

                                                         ...to form a handle.

                                                           During felting...

                             ...the knitted heart has 'become one' with the pre-felt...

                          ...and the silk and wool yarn has melted into the bag beautifully.

                                                   The finished tote (side one)...

                                     ...and a close-up of the felted heart.

                                           Side two with its 'thumbprint' stitching...

                           ...and a closer look at the variegated yarn colourway.

                                       I like that there's a small shock of green...

                                ...when you catch a glimpse of the bag's interior...

                                           ...and the multicolored dots of yarn...

                                                     ...really make me smile.

                                         Next time: the first of two tote projects...

                         ...which were actually made right-side out for a change!! :)

Heart and 'Thumbprint' Sample Tote- Part 1 of 2

Cutting two layers of commercial pre-felt...

...into the shape of my resist...

                         ...then removing a heart-shaped section from one of them.

                          Using a piece of a discarded, open-weave knit sweater...

                               ...and a length of variegated wool and silk blend yarn...

                                ...I pin a 'sweater insert' to the opening in the pre-felt...

                                         ...and carefully stitch it into place.

                                                 The back side (with knots).


                                             
   
                                                On the second piece of pre-felt...

                                               ...more variegated yarn is used...

                                           ...to gently stitch a motif into the felt.

The finished design elements (front sides)...

                                                            ...and backs.

                                   Placing the 'good side' face down on the resist...

                                       ...covering it with a layer of wool roving...

                                           ...and flipping the project to side two.

                                   After repeating the process with the heart piece...

                                  ...layers of wool roving are added to the project...

                                       ...the tote top is turned down for neatness...

                                                       ...and felting is begun.

                                               Next time: the finished tote.

                                

           

Silk Noil and Wool Nepps Sample Tote- Part 2 of 2

Mid-way through felting...

                                           ...the project is turned right-side out...

                                                 ...and the resist is removed.

                                                  A slit is cut on each side...

                                     ...and the flaps are tucked up into the handles...

                                               ...(to provide extra cushioning).

                                                    As the felting continues...

                                      ...the silk fabric begins to pucker and ruch. 

                                                         The finished tote...

                             ...and a close-up of the pencil roving and dyed nepps.

                                       The highly textured pre-felt and fabric side.

                                                 The finished tote (side one)...

                                                         ...and side two.

Silk Noil and Wool Nepps Sample Tote- Part 1 of 2

Cutting holes in a layer of pre-felt...

                                     ...and covering it with a layer of silk noil fabric.

                                                 Making wide slits in the fabric...

                                 ...to correspond with areas of pre-felt, underneath...

                                  ...and aligning the two layers on the resist surface.

                                      Covering side one with a layer of wool roving...

                                          ...and flipping the project to side two.

                                        Drawing a design on the resist surface...

                                       ...in two different colors of pencil roving...

                                                ...then filling in the open areas...

                                                     ...with dyed wool nepps.

                                     Covering side two with a layer of wool roving...

                                                        ...and wetting it out.

                                    Adding additional layers of roving to each side...

                                  ...and wrapping them closely around the resist...

                            ...then folding the top of the tote down to make a neat edge.

                                    Next time: the finished tote (with ruching!)