Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Polka Dot Silk Scarflette- Part 3 of 3

Fulling the piece.


                                    The finished silk hankie-embellished scarflette...

                                              ...with bits of re-purposed silk.



                                                        On the reverse side...



                        ...the dyed Mawata hankies resemble colorful spider webs.



                                    The embroidered flower on the ecru silk piece...

                             ...is a detail from the original re-purposed garment.



                                 With two differently decorated sides to this scarflette...



                                  ...it's easily reversible for a radically different look.




                                    For a closure, I added a large ceramic button...



                       ...and reinforced it with a circle of black leather on the back...



                       ...then hand-edged a simple buttonhole with embroidery floss.


  
                                                    The finished scarflette!



                                   Next time: I repeat this project in very different colors.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Polka Dot Silk Scarflette- Part 2 of 3

Adding a layer of printed silk...


                                                ...and additional silk hankies.




                                                    Wetting the scarflette out.



Fabric circles...


                                                    ...and pre-felt rings...



                                        ...are added to the polka dot side next...



                                                ...in the very same orientation... 



                                                  ...as those on side one.



                                                            During felting...


                                              ...the project begins to shrink...



                                            ...and the silk and synthetic fabrics...



                                                          ... begin to crinkle.



                                             Next time: the finished scarflette...

                               ...with hand-stitched buttonhole and ceramic button.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Polka Dot Silk Scarflette- Part 1 of 3

Gloriously dyed Mawata silk hankies...


                                 ...are stretched onto the surface of the bubble wrap...



                                                ...followed by rings of pre-felt...



                                       ...and silk and synthetic fabric circles.


                               Some of the fabrics are new, like this silk searsucker...



                                                ...and some are re-purposed...



                                                    ...like this patterned silk...

                                             ...cut from a thrift store blouse. 



                  The entire layout is topped off by a thin layer of black merino roving.



                                              Next time: a polka dot layer is added...

                                               ...and the felting commences!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Yarn-Embellished Pre-Felt Table Toppers- Part 4 of 4

The finished topper...


                                                ...with its assertive green base. :)



                                     The texture of the felted-in rings and circles...

                                          ...is quite visible on the project back...


                                         
                       ...and if you look closely, you'll see the multi-colored cotton dots...

                                         ...that are embedded in the green wool.



                             A side-by-side comparison of my two new table toppers...



                                   ...plus a few photos with other, earlier toppers...



                                                          ...just for fun! :)


Monday, February 9, 2015

Yarn-Embellished Pre-Felt Table Toppers- Part 3 of 4

Using the same embellished, pre-felt circles...


                         ...but swapping in a bright green wool base (with cotton dots)...



                               ...a second yarn-embellished, pre-felt topper is begun!



                            A margin of base wool is left around the rings and circles...

                                        ...for an irregular, finished appearance...



               ...and, as before, the extra wool is used to reinforce the topper edges.



                                                   Mid-way through felting...



                                         ...the project is starting to come together...



                                            ...as the pre-felt rings and circles...



                                       ...are easily incorporated into the base wool.



                                                 Next time: the finished project...

                ...plus comparison photos with several of my other recent table toppers!

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Yarn-Embellished Pre-Felt Table Toppers- Part 2 of 4

After wetting it out and rubbing it for a time...

...the project is flipped over...


                                            ...and trimmed with sharp scissors...



                                                ...into its final, irregular shape.



                                          The wet, trimmed off bits of base wool...

                 ...are added to the topper perimeter for extra heft and reinforcement.



                                                            During felting...



                                               ...the pre-felt pieces and yarn...



                                               ...easily 'melt' into the base wool.



                                                       The finished topper...



                                  ...with its bright, geometric shapes and stitching...



                                           ...is sure to liven up any table top!