a life of felt

First workshop of the year February 4th, 2012

Every time I run a workshop it’s fun and today was no exception. Good company, lots of laughs and some quite fabulous pieces of felt. So far this winter we’ve had very little snow, so why oh why did it have to snow today? Here’s a lovely winter scene from the village hall.

Isn’t it adorable. It’s not quite as out of focus as you think, it had started to snow. But enough of the weather, here’s a few of those bags you were all waiting to see – I did say it was a bag workshop did I?

This lovely bag was made by Jeni and has a pocket on the inside. I changed the workshop slightly today and brought Blue Faced Leicester fibres for people to use in oatmeal and black. It’s a brilliant British fibre and well worth trying for yourself.

In order, we have loveliness from Lindsay, Angela and Elaine. All handles and catches are felted in, the flashes of colour are provided by Merino fibres and Elaine’s bag also has vegetable bags included. A nice bit of recycling.

The top bag is by Cera with an all over spot decoration and internal pocket. The bottom bag is by Pauline and has Merino fibres and Wensleydale curls.

Top bag by Pauline, her first ever piece of felt, pretty good it is too, lovely solid felt. Bottom left is by Karen another first time felter who did a great job, you’d never have guessed it was her first piece. Bottom right is understated gorgeousness by Sue and it has 2 internal pockets. We tried really hard to finish early but what is this, a lone felter?

Yes, I’m sorry to say Lesley was naughty and had to stay behind. No, not really, this is what you call dedication and perseverance when all around you have left.

It was worth the work though wasn’t it and when the Wensleydale curls dry they’ll look even fluffier, what a fab bag. Thank you ladies for a great day and I hope everyone got home okay. Do please send photos when they’re dry and you’ve added buttons.

Tags: 3D, BFL, handbags, handmade
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And another one! February 2nd, 2012

One cushion just wasn’t enough so I made it a companion which is equally delightful.

Even this wasn’t enough so I went on to make another one for my work room. The chair in there is quite hard and after a while I tend to get a numb derriere

Pink, purple and blue on one side, pink, purple and orange on the other side.

I am really loving this side. the stitching is whip stitch again but in pink.

Tags: crochet, cushion
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Garment making – part 1 February 1st, 2012

I don’t usually make garments, don’t get me wrong there’s nothing wrong with it but it doesn’t normally enthuse me. This time however, I’m very enthusiastic. It’e to be a very feminine garment and for a larger lady with a 48″ waist. Given that when working with wool tops you need to start larger to account for shrinkage during felting it means it’s going to be a big piece of work.

Preparation is key and it’s really not worth rushing this stage. So lots of measurements, quick sketches, a look at images on the internet, thinking through the processes and various stages, then it’s time to start gathering equipment and supplies.

Lots of bubble wrap, bits of lace and a quick sample of how I might make it look very full through gathering.

Lots and lots of fibres, both tops and locks plus some yarns. I’m hoping to make an impression on my stash!

I’ll be laying out at 160cm x 78cm so it’s going to need two tables to work on or I’ll be crawling round the floor again. There’ll be more to see next time but do feel free to speculate in the interim.

Tags: felt, garment, handmade
Posted in Felting | 2 Comments »

Yarnival January 29th, 2012

There’s a new wool and fibre event on Saturday 17th March called Yarnival. It’s being organised by good friend Kate and promises to be a fun filled day. I will be there as myself demonstrating felt making and I’ll also be representing Adelaide Walker with a good selection of fleece and fibres.

The event will be held at Trawden in Lancashire from 10am -3pm and you can expect to see:

rare breed sheep

spinning demonstrations

weaving demonstrations

knit and natter – do drop by with your own projects

cafe

braiding demonstrations

wool and yarn for sale

If you’d like a table to sell your wares then please email Kate otherwise just pop this date in your diary and I hope to see you there. If you’d like fibres from Adelaide Walker you can of course pre-order and pick them up at Yarnival saving yourself some postage.

Tags: yarnival
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W.I.P. – not any more! January 22nd, 2012

I’ve so enjoyed blending these colours.

Some of the edges on thn early strips weren’t really very good and when I began to sew the strips together it became a little obvious. This meant you could see the white cushion pad, so I used an old sheet which recently ripped to create a new coloured inner.

The sheet was the better part of twenty years old so it certainly didn’t owe us anything. There’s some green in the wools so it was a happy coincidence.

It’s 20 square inches of happiness

To combine the strips I began by crocheting them together, it didn’t work for me so I used blanket stitch, that didn’t work and I eventually settled on a simple whip stitch.

Seams inside or seams outside? Seams outside was my decision as it gives extra texture. I chose a bright-ish orange to stitch the strips together just because I’ve a lot of that colour but it has worked well.

We all seem to prefer the first side I showed you with more obvious differences in the width of the strips. I’m so happy when I look at it that I’ve started a smaller one to keep it company. There’ll still be left overs.

Tags: crochet
Posted in General, past workshops | 3 Comments »

Jacob pot January 20th, 2012

Just before Christmas I was asked to make a pot in Jacob wool similar to the Devon one below.

Here it is. Jacob wool tops with added Tussah silk fibres.

I can show you now because it won’t spoil anyone’s birthday surprise anymore.

Tags: 3D. wet felt, handmade, jacob
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W.I.P. January 18th, 2012

I haven’t shown you a work in progress for ages. Under the bed I used to have 4 banana boxes full of yarns and textiles awaiting ‘projects’. Through good use and a firm attempt to remove some of the rubbish, coupled with all the squares I’ve crocheted for Japan, this is now down to 3 boxes and I’m aiming for 2.It’s really not possible to eradicate the stash entirely.

This is a box of Shetland wool yarns which need using up. No good for baby blankets as it’s far too scratchy so I’ve commenced on a project for myself.

So far, I think it’s looking rather scrummy and will show you pics as soon as it’s finished. This time, Hubby likes the colours so much I think this one will definitely be staying. It’s not so much crochet he deoesn’t like I think as much as granny square crochet. This is all plain treble stitch. As the yarn is fine I’m working with two together and it’s producing fab colours (mostly!).

I’m still going to have rather a lot left so if you’ve any ideas for future projects, suggestions on a postcard please or you could just leave a comment.

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A Christmas Present January 16th, 2012

Lucky me, my husband bought me a day at a craft workshop for my Christmas present. A stained glass workshop, a whole day just to play with no phones (switched it off hee hee), no washing or other chores to be done and quiet time to be creative, Well, it wasn’t all that quiet when we began scoring glass and tapping it to break. The worst part of course was having to choose which colours to work with and which order to put them in.

I really liked the glass with texture and those with colour striations. I’ve used red, orange blue and turquoise, it’s not a great work of art but okay for a first piece and it is my own design. The good news as far as my husband is concerned is that I won’t be taking this up as a hobby, really great to have a go at it but somehow it’s just not for me. What’s next??

Tags: glass, workshop
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Saturday the 14th January 15th, 2012

It seems like the last couple of months have been filled by two types of weather, wet and windy and very wet and very windy. To be fair there have been moments of clear skies and sunshine but they’ve been so fleeting I’ve barely had time to register them. yesterday was quite different, clear blue skies, sunny, crisp and so still.

We grabbed our opportunity for stroll with our teenager with both hands, even ousting her from bed early so as to be sure not to mis the clear skies. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the peaceful walk around Grimwith reservoir. As we were early we saw few people. There was a hard frost on the ground and we took great pleasure trying to break the ice on the puddles. The sharp cracks rent the still air and were joined by shrieks as C nearly fell over.

Don’t you just love patterns in frost? Friday was a sunny day too but I spent all day inside being creative. More of that tomorrow if I can get a good picture.

Tags: walk
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Heart Bunting January 12th, 2012

I began this set of bunting in August I believe. Although it’s not complicated to make sheets of felt for cutting up I just didn’t find the time to finish – looking back I seem to have had quite a few projects like this last year but at least they get finished eventually. It’s all made from British Blue Faced Leicester wool, the pink was hand dyed by me, do you think it’s bright enough?

The edges are hand stitched in plain running stitch with embroidery thread and each flag has an appliqued heart. They’re machine stitched to the tape. I didn’t do running stitch along the top and I’m now wondering if I should have – opinions?

There are 12 flags on each set, flags are 12cm wide by 18cm long. I made sufficient felt for five sets but only three are completed as I ran out of tape. And yes, the yellow really is that vivid!!

Tags: Blue Faced Leicester, bunting, felt, handmade
Posted in Felting | 2 Comments »