| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jan 10 2007 : 2:33:28 PM
I went to the Goodwill yesterday and bought five wool sweaters for $2.50 each! I brought them home, tossed them in the washer and...Voila! Teeny-tiny felted sweaters!! I made two purses yesterday (for gifts)and am working on two today! They are so much fun! I let the sweater dictate the style of bag, decide on a lining,(some don't need it- the fabric is super tight), and stitch away!! I am going to another Goodwill Friday to get more.
I reckon I should have taken pictures. Oh well. I will take some of the second two and try to post them. Thanks Clare, for posting the idea!!:)
Karin |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 08:07:00 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Aunt George
Oh, and Rosemary...Gotta give the credit to Karin about the idea! But finding the time...hmmm...do a few chores, stitch a handle, mop the floor, stitch the other handle...do a load of laundry, fix dinner....stitch the lining together! LOL. Watched an old Dean Martin movie while I finished this one today. LOL....shoulda' been doing something else though. Your cookbook went out in the mail today.
Ooh, neat! I'll let you know when it arrives. But you know -- you credit yourself too little for your amazing energy. Multitasking, Farmgirl style! |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Jan 22 2007 : 5:35:43 PM
Karin....these are FAB!! LOVE, love, love them!! You are so talented!! I can hardly wait to see the other three. I found two more 50 cent sweaters yesterday!! LOVE it!!
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron musings! |
| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Jan 22 2007 : 2:57:53 PM
THOSE PURSES are so cute, I just love them. Good job Karin.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
| faithymom |
Posted - Jan 22 2007 : 1:58:31 PM
Karin, I love them all, but that green one is my fave!
What great embellishments.
"All television is educational television. The only question is, what is it teaching?"-Fmr. FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson |
| country lawyer |
Posted - Jan 22 2007 : 12:55:51 PM
You guys are too much! Karin, those are are cute as can be. I am amazed at what you have created. There's a bunch of talent on this Forum!
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."
James Taylor
www.ragstoroses.blogspot.com
|
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jan 22 2007 : 12:50:34 PM
Here are the purses I have completed. I have 3 more in the works!!
Karin
 |
| faithymom |
Posted - Jan 22 2007 : 10:19:24 AM
If I did a patchwork blanket out of felt, I would lap the seams. I think that would keep them neater and not as bulky at the straight seams, and they would lay flat.
Faith
"All television is educational television. The only question is, what is it teaching?"-Fmr. FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson |
| KitchenWitch |
Posted - Jan 22 2007 : 10:04:23 AM
Hello, all! The quilted sweater blanket talk caught my eye--there is a blanket built completely of "reclaimed" wool sweaters in Alterknits by Leigh Radford. I have been dying to make a version of it for myself. My boyfriend, sweetheart that he is, even tried to help. He grabbed a bag full of knit sweaters from a yard sale for me. The only problem? Most of them are blends that won't felt! Poor guy, he was so proud of himself. Now he's sworn to 100% wool finds only. =) As soon as we have enough, we're going for it.
Live joyfully, deliberately, simply, abundantly. |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Jan 19 2007 : 3:48:32 PM
Mine didn't fray when cut after felting the sweaters. Say, I saw a felted sweater quilt online the other day, really cute! And I bet it is sure warm!! the felted seams are a wee bit bulky though.
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron musings! |
| Cindy Lee |
Posted - Jan 19 2007 : 3:28:01 PM
Soooo, On the quilt idea, I'm guessing it doesn't fray when it's been felted right? If that's the case, you wouldn't have to back it, it could kinda be like the rag quilts. That gets the ideas flowing! Cindy
If life gives you scraps, make quilts! |
| lilpunkin |
Posted - Jan 19 2007 : 2:34:59 PM
How cute are these? WOW! I sew need to get my sewing machine out. I loved how you used the cuffs as pockets, very smart.
I havent been crafting much lately, and you girls always inspire me. Thanks!
lilpunkin
Life isn't measured by how many breaths you take, but by how many moments take your breath away. |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Jan 19 2007 : 1:55:31 PM
Well, I saw the ribbed cuffs lying in the discard pile and was about to cut pockets from addidtional lining fabric, when I thought I'd give them a try as inside pockets...found out an additional feature of the ribbing at the top of the pocket, it grips the things you slide into them! Cool Huh? Now my chapstick, phone and keys will never get lost in the bottom of my purse again!
Faith, I sewed them onto each side of the lining before sewing the sides together. One could just open a cuff up, lie it down then sew sections so instead of individual pockets, it would be a row of pockets. I think that is what I shall do in the large tote.
Karin they really are fun to do, and you are right the design is dictated by the shape of the fabric...just let it talk to you and don't try to force anything! This one was actually heavy enough when felted down that it didn't really need a lining, but I put one in anyway. What is really cute is that inside one of the rib pockets...the larger one is part of the neck ribbing...is the Abercrombie and Fitch 100% wool tag. I thought that was a nice touch, since Abercrombie and Fitch is such a popular young person's clothing store! LOL
Oh, and Rosemary...Gotta give the credit to Karin about the idea! But finding the time...hmmm...do a few chores, stitch a handle, mop the floor, stitch the other handle...do a load of laundry, fix dinner....stitch the lining together! LOL. Watched an old Dean Martin movie while I finished this one today. LOL....shoulda' been doing something else though. Your cookbook went out in the mail today.
Thanks for checking out my purse and thanks for the inspiration Karin. I wanted to get one done today so that I can take it in to work tonight, and hopefully get some orders for more purses.
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron musings! |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Jan 19 2007 : 1:39:14 PM
That's terrific, Georgann! What a clever idea to use the ribbed parts that way. You gals are making me feel my Craft Deficits too keenly! How on earth do you find the time, let alone the talent, to whip these things out the way you do! Sheesh!  |
| faithymom |
Posted - Jan 19 2007 : 1:14:45 PM
Very nice, Aunt George!
I like those pockets inside.
Did you stitch those in before you sewed the sides together?
"All television is educational television. The only question is, what is it teaching?"-Fmr. FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jan 19 2007 : 12:42:43 PM
Cute, cute, cute! I finished another last night. I will try to get a picture and post it. Aren't they fun to do?
Karin |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Jan 19 2007 : 08:53:54 AM
Ok, just finished my first purse. If you would like to see it, click on my blog line below and then click on the topic about my first sweater purse. Can't do anymore until next week. I have to work nights tonight and tomorrow, so sewing will be put off for a few days. I do have the linings picked out for the other purses though. I'll try to add those to my blog so you can see the combinations.
Later!
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron musings! |
| faithymom |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 10:52:38 PM
Jayne, it took 4 runs through for mine to come out nice...what I did was use HOT water, some detergent and used the heavy-duty was cycle. I let them agitate but not drain, then reset the wash cycle for them to agitate through the cycle again, then drain, rinse, etc...
I did that process twice, for 4 agitation cycles.
After the first 2, the were somewhat felted, but nothing compared to the end result.
Faith
"All television is educational television. The only question is, what is it teaching?"-Fmr. FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson |
| daffodil dreamer |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 8:36:01 PM
Thanks Georagann and Karin,
I'll give it another try - maybe I just gave up on it too quickly!
Best wishes,
Jayne |
| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 12:52:36 PM
You see? This could get out of hand, all the ideas for things to make. With all the power outs we have been having a wool quilt might be a good thing to have.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 12:47:31 PM
quote:
[i]
If life gives you scraps, make quilts!
Which makes me wonder -- would felted sweaters make a warm quilt, or what!?! |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 12:21:31 PM
Karin,
Those are so cute-I'm so glad you posted pictures. What a fantastic way to reuse wool sweaters!
Ellen in MI |
| Cindy Lee |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 12:16:17 PM
My girl freinds have been talking about felting old sweaters for weeks and now I think I get it. How cute! They look pretty easy, I will have to share this bit of info with them. Thanks! Cindy
If life gives you scraps, make quilts! |
| mommom |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 12:05:33 PM
They are so nice~ I am so impressed! I'm going second hand shopping next week and have wool sweathers on my list! Thank you for the pictures! Susan |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 06:46:09 AM
Jayne- That is strange that your sweater will not felt. When I put mine in the washer, I add laundry soap. It seems to work well. I have noticed that if I have a very fine knit sweater, it will take longer to felt up. It must be something in the yarn. I add soap each time I run it through the wash, just to remove anything that might prevent it from grabbing. It may take you a few times and a lot of patience.
G- great site!! Thanks for posting it!
Karin |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 04:53:35 AM
Just found this wool site with great information on felting and making felt pin cushions and balls. Also how to do handfelting etc. Great photos too.
http://gfwsheep.com/felting/felt.html
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/
Thanks for checking out my apron musings! |
