Machine-Quilted Drawstring Purse- Part 1

Applying merino roving...

                                    ...to one-half of a piece of purple silk organza...
  

                                          ...and wetting it out with soapy water.

                                     The 'naked' silk is then folded over the wool...

                                                            ...(to encase it)...

                                      ...and wetted out and rolled for a short time...

                                          ...to create a nuno pre-felt 'sandwich'.

                                                                 Once dry...

                                             ...the pre-felt is machine quilted...

                                                    ...in a decorative manner...

                                  ...both to hold the layers together during felting...

                                                    ...and just to look pretty! :)

                                       Next time: I fashion an embellished pocket.

Pieced Purse Revisited- Part 4

The relatively dull interior of the finished bag...

                                                 ...receives a 'color infusion'...

                                        ...with the installation of this bright zipper!

                                                           The finished bag...

                                      ...with its larger pieced nuno pre-felt 'cousin'.

                       It's interesting to note how the colors of the printed silk change...

                                 ...depending on the color of the wool underneath! 

                              I'll be taking a short blog break to visit with dear friends.

                                                     See you in early April! 

Pieced Purse Revisited- Part 3

After turning the project right-side out...

                             ...felting continues with a bit more rubbing and rolling.

                           The purse is placed in various orientations during felting...

                                                        ...for even shrinkage.

                                            As with my earlier nuno pre-felt bag...

                                  ...the wild colors and patterns of the silk pieces...

                                   ...become quite muted and subtle after felting.

                                                  The finished project, drying...

                                                    ...awaiting a leather strap...

                                                         ...and festive zipper.

                                              
                                                Next time: the completed bag...

                               ...along with its earlier (and slightly beefier) 'cousin'.

Pieced Purse Revisited- Part 2

Adding layers of black wool...

                                          ...to both sides of the project surface...

                                           ...and attaching the hanging loops...

                                                        ...to the top of the bag.

                                                Fashioning an internal pocket...

                                           ...from scraps of colorful nuno pre-felt...

                                       ...and covering it with layers of black roving.

                                              After rubbing and rolling for awhile...

                               ...the pocket resist is beginning to work its way out...

                               ...and the felt begins to shrink and to become firmer.

                                              Next time: the resist is removed...

                         ...and the purse is turned right-side out for further felting.

Pieced Purse Revisited- Part 1

Machine stitching...

                                             ...strips of nuno pre-felt together...

                                          ...and, from them, cutting two layers...

                                              ...just slightly larger than the resist.

                                        Clipping the sides and bottom into place...

                                                  ...with the silk side 'inside'...

                                      ...and machine stitching the pieces together.

                                 Placing the resist between the two pre-felt layers...

                                                   ...and covering both sides...

                                                    ...with layers of wool roving.

                                             Fashioning cords for hanging loops.

                              Next time: An interior 'pocket of many colors' is added.

Long-Limbed Creature for Hayes- Part 5

The finished creature...

                                                    ...has a long, pointy nose...

                                 ...and 'jangly' metal bits attached to its extremities.

                                                        The bright wool yarn...

                                             ...felted into quite a bold hairstyle...

                                      ...and gives ze a rather rakish appearance!

                                      
                                                   Quivering with anticipation...

                                                     ...for the baby's arrival! 

                                                   "Well, hello there, creature...

                                               ...you look good enough to eat!"

                                        Hayes found the metal rings fascinating...

                            ...and especially enjoyed chewing on ze's pointy nose.

                                                                Delicious! ;)