Monday, October 17, 2011

Fall is a Great Time for Felting

This new post is for you Dee Dee. She has noticed my blog absence and has requested (on many occasions) new posts.

My friend Carly got me into felting two years ago. I have always loved wool. Now I love it even more because I enjoy the possibilities of what I can turn a tired old sweater into.

After rummaging through tubs of old wool sweaters from college, I was armed with just what I needed for this project. I began felting the wool sweaters by washing them in the washing machine on hot. Once the load was complete, I dried them in the clothes dryer on hot for a full cycle. Most of the sweaters turned out perfect. Then there was this one...







Seriously it was a disaster. I had originally planned on making a sweater jumper for my 18-month-old daughter and had to come up with a new plan for this mess. I stared at it for months and finally got an idea. I turned the sweater inside out and the wool wasn't as pilly and looked a million times better. I cut the usable wool down to a square size and decided to make a fun felted wool purse.

After cutting, I turned the wool so the pilly part was on the outside and hand-stitched the two sides of the purse together. The bottom part of the purse was the fold and the top was left open to insert a lining and handle for the purse. Felting this wool caused it to get really thick and when both sides were sewn together I was sewing through a full inch thickness of fabric - unfortunately my sewing machine was unable to handle that. I had a gorgeous callus on my finger for quite some time.


Next I made a lining and eventually added a cell phone pocket. I inserted the lining into the purse (after turning it so the pretty side was on the outside) and had to hand stitch the lining to the wool all the way around the opening.



I then cut out a bunch of circles from other wool felt I had made.


Cut each circle into a giant spiral (see below).


Once cut, hot glue around in a circle to form a flower.



I did enough flowers to cover the perimeter of the opening of the little purse. 





Last I added a felted wool handle.


And done! I will probably go back and add a magnetic snap closure but doing so will require me to tear away half of the lining, add in the snap and then re-sew the lining to the wool.


I love fall. I love felting. Fall is a great time to repurpose an old wool sweater or make a trip to a second-hand shop to pick up some fabulous wool to cut up and make into something you love.










This project is entered in an Upcycle contest. Please click on the botton below to vote for my Upcycled Felt Purse.






This project is linked up at:

UndertheTableandDreaming homework
Photobucket


Passionately Artistic
Somewhat Simple The Shabby Nest I heart Naptime UndertheTableandDreaming

10 comments:

  1. What a cute bucket bag. Felting gone wrong turned into something great! I have a link party on Tuesdays {The Inspiration Board} and I’d be thrilled if you linked this up. I know my readers would really enjoy it. Hope to see you there.
    http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/10/inspiration-board-link-party-20.html
    carolyn - homework

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  2. this is a beautiful bag luv the tips on the bad felt.
    Would luv for my readers to follow this, inviting you to link at
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/10/halloween-ideas-and-home-decor-party.html
    Thanks
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

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  3. Quick question - I am trying to host a "A FUN DAY OF PINK" on Sunday October 30th and wanted to know if you will be interested - I couldn't find your email addy - could you email me please..? I can send you all the info needed to see if you will be intersted in joining us.. TY (theartsygirlconnection@gmail.com)

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  4. Visiting from tt&j! Love the little flowers..I just learned how to make rosettes and this is a neat variation I must try :)

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  5. very pretty flowers.

    Lexi
    http://cupcakedaydreamer.blogspot.com/

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  6. Your bag turned out wonderfully. It's great when you can take something that is a mess and make something beautiful.

    Ruth

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  7. What a cute bucket bag, it is totally more beautiful with those flowers, I sure your every readers will enjoy it too much. Truly saying it, is unique and awesome, So creative.
    Solvency II

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  8. Thanks so much again for joining the upcycling contest.. You are one of my FAV picks :))) So creative.. LOVE it.. TY again..

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  9. ..your blog is informative keep posting your ideas..

    *_* maica *_* Buy and Sell

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    ReplyDelete