"Two-Faced" Cracked Earth Tote- Part 3

The 'lacy' resist...

                                        ...is covered with a layer of white merino...

                                                          ...and wetted out.

                                           After flipping the project to side two...

                         ...the overhanging wool at the mouth of the bag is folded in... 

            ...and the white wool from side one is folded up and around the resist.

                                              Layers of dark roving are added...

                                                          ...and wetted out...

                                         ...and lengths of variegated wool yarn...

                                           ...are applied to the project surface.

                         The pieces of yarn are covered with strips of painters' tape...

                                                      ...except at the very ends. 

                                                 Next time: I make a tape grid.

"Two-Faced" Cracked Earth Tote- Part 2

Applying a layer of silk gauze...

...to the surface of a bubble wrap pocket resist.

                                         Folding down the top (for a neat edge)...

                                ...and covering the silk with layers of wool roving...

                                   ...leaving the top edge of the bubble wrap bare.

                                            After flipping the project to side two...

              ...the pocket is placed wool-side down on the surface of the bag resist...

                               ...and the whole shebang is covered with 'hairy' wool.

                                                    Wetting the project out...

                                        ...and adding an additional layer of wool...

                         ...and a layer of silk gauze at the top (for 'handle support').

                           Folding in the overhanging wool at the mouth of the bag...

                              ...and covering the project surface with merino wool...

                                                   ...in a slightly darker color.

                                    Centering the lacy resist on the project surface.

                                             Next time: layers of white wool are added.

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 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 Nuno Pre-Felt Purses- Part 7

Adding wool from a yellow batt...

...to the project surface.

                                                   Forming an interior pocket...

                                            ...from leftover bits of nuno pre-felt...

                                                  ...and additional yellow wool.

             The hanging loops are made more 'of a piece' with the rest of the bag...

                                ...by the addition of narrow windings of dark roving.

                                                     Mid-way through felting...

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

                              Removing the resist and turning the bag right-side out.

                                                       As the felting continues...

                                    ...the purse is placed in different orientations...

                                                         ...for even shrinkage.

                                            As the rubbing and rolling continue...  

                                         ...the once garish nuno pre-felt stripes...

                                             ...become more and more muted...

                                                              ...and subtle.

                                                 As the bag nears completion...

                       ...the flanged bottom is revealed to be a bit of a 'problem child'.

                                              Next time: 'mischief managed'! ;)