Portuguese Pencil-Roving Tote- Part 2 of 2

Using masking tape...

...to accurately position the handles prior to stitching.



I zigzag stitched along the exposed seams...

...for a neater interior appearance.

 

The front of the finished tote...



...which, thanks to the box bottom...

...easily stands on its own for 'filling'! :)

 

The back of the finished tote.

 

Despite the color disparity (green and tan)...

...I really like the way this lining coordinates with the felt. :)

 

Portuguese Pencil-Roving Tote- Part 1 of 2

A large piece of flat felt made with pencil roving...

...and wool roving from Bordeleria sheep.

(Shown here, along with my nuno felted beret and a classmate's raw fleece project. )

 

Quirky wax-resist batik fabric...

...that I purchased at an outdoor market in Rotterdam.

 

Stitching the lining fabric to the felt sheet...

...to create an open-top envelope.



Making a box bottom...

 

...then turning the project right-side out.

 

Fashioning long leather straps.

 

This was a summer project that I somehow neglected to show you...

...so I guess now is finally the time! :)

With felt made from light brown Bordeleria roving...

...and hairy pencil roving (from Portuguese sheep)...

...plus wonderful batik fabric that I purchased in Rotterdam...

...I constructed this light, roomy tote.

I stacked the felt and lining, wrong sides together...

...and stitched them up into an envelope...

...then re-folded the project to stitch-in box corners.

I then fashioned long leather straps...

...from a large piece of black leather...

...and machine stitched them to the bag.

Next time: the finished tote.

A Plethora of Peculiar Projects- Part 7 of ? (Polka Dot Bag)

Crafting a resist with multiple parts...

 

...and covering each section with brown wool roving...

 

...and white pre-felt circles.



The fully felted purse on display...

...at our 'end of the week sharing party' in Portugal.

 

I made the white pre-felt with flax, tussah silk...

 

...milk protein and bamboo inclusions.

 

Side one of the finished bag...

 

...and side two.

 

This is another of my 'not quite finished' projects...

...that I intend for my end-of-the-month giveaway.

I think it would greatly benefit from a bit of hand-stitching at the mouth of the bag...

...and the insertion of a length of cording or tubing in each handle...

...for structural support.

Raw Fleece Purse With Leather Strap- Part 2 of 2

The back side of the finished purse...

 

...and a close-up.

 

The purse front...

 

...with leather buttonhole and vintage button.



To fashion the strap, I cut a long strip of thick black leather...

...and stitched it in half, 'suede side out'...

 

...then sewed it to the felt.

 

The finished purse.

 

Raw Fleece Purse With Leather Strap- Part 1 of 2

Applying raw Bordeleria fleece, 'tips down'...

...to the surface of my resist...

 

...followed by layers of wool roving.



Wetting out side one... 

 

...and side two.

 

Mid-way through felting.

 

A close-up of the highly textured felt surface.



The finished bag, drying. 

 

Next time: I add a leather strap...

...and vintage button closure.

Finished WIP- Eco-Dyed Wool Purse From Portugal

Getting ready to slit the machine-stitched buttonhole.



"Hello Earthlings!" :)

 

I 'auditioned' quite a few buttons before finally deciding on this one...

 

...but in the end, I just couldn't resist its cunning little leaves and cherries!

 

Because the front flap is merely decorative...

...I didn't have to make a second buttonhole, but simply sewed the button to it!

 

The button's brass tone compliments the color of the bag...

...even the remainders of bright silk threads from its less-than-auspicious beginning! :)

 

Because it has no inner pocket, this will be more of a 'special occasion' kind of bag.

 

One WIP down and two to go!! :)

 

I now use painter's tape when I make machine-stitched buttonholes...

...since it provides clear 'end points' for my sewing line and pulls off easily, without residue.

I was pleased to find a button in my stash that symbolized both the farm (cherry trees)...

...and the manner in which this purse was dyed (leaf prints).

Next time: a second yarn-rich journal cover.

Portugal- Pinky-Orange "Dreads" Purse- Part 2 of 2

Dampened pieces of silk and merino roving are used to form spirals.

 

Here they are, all in place, and after a bit of rubbing.

 

The finished purse front...



...and back.

 

At home and in a different light...

...you can better see the alternating pink and orange 'dreads'...

 

...and how a bit of blocking made for a nicer overall shape.



Now, I just have to figure out what kind of strap to make for it... 

 

...any ideas?!?!

 

I really enjoyed making this purse...

...and the (new to me) 'dreads' technique is one that I'm sure I'll use again in the future.

Unfortunately, it has joined a small pile of WIPs...

...and I'm anxious to figure out what to do about the strap so I can finish (and use) it!

I have some pink leather left over from an earlier project...

...but I think the color might be a bit too washed out.

A darker leather, perhaps...

...or something braided?

What about a felt cord...

...or a narrow denim (or other fabric) strap?

If you have an opinion, idea, or suggestion that you'd like to share...

...please leave a comment on this post.

I feel certain that a little inspiration from you...

...might be all I need to get 'unstuck'!! :)