Small Leather Items- Two Quick Sewing Projects!

Drafting a pattern...

                                     ...that will perfectly fit my tiny, sharp scissors.

                                    Adding an elastic ponytail holder for a closure...

                             ...using a small piece of fabric to help stitch it into place.

The back of the finished case...

                                                           ...and the front.

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

                                         Clamping three leather pieces together...

                                           ...in preparation for machine stitching.

                                            Employing the clamps once again...

                                      ...to reinforce the fold in the finished case.

                                               The left side of the leather case...

                                           ...holds the front flap of my passport...

                                   ...and the right side is free for boarding passes...

                                                   ...and baggage claim tickets.

Beaded Drawstring Jewelry Bag- Part 2 of 2

My beautiful cousin...

...hard at work! ;)

                                                                As she rolls...

                                      ...the bag begins to shrink and to get thicker.

                                              The project is turned right-side out...

                                 ...and the foam underlayment resist is removed.

                                                Notice how well the wool yarn...

                                              ...felted into the surface of the bag.

                                                            During fulling...

                                            ...the layer of coarser, hairier wool...

                                ...migrates through the finer silk and merino layer...

                                      ...resulting in a slightly marbled appearance.

                                         Cutting slits for a leather 'thong' closure.

                                        Threading a long, narrow strip of leather...

                                               ...through the slits in the felt bag...

                                              ...and adding a metal 'jump ring'...

                                                     ...to help hold it closed.

                                                     The finished jewelry bag.

                                                          Well done, Wendy!

 

'French Press' Cozy- Part 2 of 2

The fully felted project...

                                                  ...is turned right-side out...

                                  ...and a strip of green leather is added as a loop...

                                                      ...for ease in removal.

                                Because of the way that the orange wool is laid out...

                                                 ...there is a clear delineation...

                                                   ...between the green layer...

...and the orange one.

"Bricks and Mortar" Pillow- Part 3 of 3

The felt side of the project (turned right-side out)...

                                                     ...and the leather side.

                           Inserting a pillow form into the felt and leather envelope...

                                  ...punching stitching holes into the leather side...

                          ...and sewing the opening closed with nylon beading thread.

                                          The finished pillow, ready for gift-giving.

                                              The 'bricks and mortar' theme...

                                      ...harkens back to another project of mine.

                                        Both pieces were made as wedding gifts...

                                      ...because I like the implied symbolism.

                                               I believe that a strong marriage...

     

                         

                                         ...requires both fixed and fluid elements...

                     ...and allows for the beautiful inevitability of change and growth.

                             Best wishes on your joyous new adventure, Chris and Jay!

"Bricks and Mortar" Pillow- Part 2 of 3

Mid-way through felting.

                                                         Fulling the piece.

                                                    The front side (drying)...

                                                           ...and the back.

                                              The finished piece of flat felt (front)...

                                                                ...and back.

                                        A close-up of the felt's design and texture.

                                               Trimming the project to size.

                                Coordinating a piece of leather for the pillow back.

                               Clipping the leather and felt together, prior to sewing.

                                           The felt side, after machine stitching...

                                                      ...and the leather side.

                                                 Next time: the finished pillow.