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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Recyle old wool sweaters into purses  |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
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LauraH
True Blue Farmgirl
305 Posts
Laura
North Creek
New York
USA
305 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 6:54:52 PM
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Looks interesting! I have not tried felting an old wool sweater yet..
LauraH |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 7:06:27 PM
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It is so fun.. go to a thrift and find some wool sweaters that have been washed and you are half way there. Grin! MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 8:26:38 PM
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No I have not tried this yet but so want to! One of my 2007 things to do. Thanks for sharing Clare!
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands -Proverbs 31:13
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4192 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4192 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 04:51:51 AM
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| Really neat idea. I did see the same thing, only making mittens on Martha one time. I crocheted potholders this year and felted them. Next thing is to knit purses, and felt, but this does look easier, and cheaper. Thanks |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 06:06:57 AM
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Cute idea! I have already started a 2007 porject list. This will be in there for sure!
Karin |
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mommom
True Blue Farmgirl
854 Posts
Susan
Lancaster
Pennsylvania
USA
854 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 07:14:53 AM
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| I just printed the instructions from the website! Thank you so much! Susan |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 12:54:56 PM
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I printed the directions too. Now would be a great time to go to Goodwill for sweaters. Lots of people cleaning out closets. Think I'll head there on Tuesday.
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands -Proverbs 31:13
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suzyhomemaker
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
Clare
Tyler Hill
PA
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 3:42:01 PM
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I saved a grey wool sweater to try this. Now it beckons me to try it Immediately!
Country girl in NE PA |
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 11:42:07 AM
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I had a wool sweater that I adored and mr. man shrunk it.
It would make a really cool purse. I'm going to work on this and see how far I get.
Thanks for the project idea!!
Babs |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 11:58:41 AM
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Hello to All!! My children and I felted wool sweaters years ago and turned them into wonderful Christmas stockings. The kids had a blast cutting and stiching them even the youngest at the time being 4 the oldest 12. We use these stockings to this day. It is so easy and fun. We have also made mittens and neck scarfs too. There is no limit to what you can make and the best part is if they get caught in the wash they do not shrink any more. Be sure to use 100% wool as any mixture does not work as well or not at all.
Have fun felting 
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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Shirley
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Shirley
Olympia
Wa
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 12:34:20 PM
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There was this artsy person a a fair I used to do, and thats all she used, she made everything, hats,scarfs,and lots more ,but mostley hats. she had a going business doing this and made lots of money, her things sold like crazy.
shirley |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 3:43:10 PM
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How would you make a hat out of this? Just curious, that sounds kinda cool.
As for my purse, it turned out way huge, started with an XL sweater, so I cut the sides down. I have one side left to sew and will have to do it by hand as my machine is now refusing to sew through it. It's way cute, just a longer project than I anticipated. Of course it's prolly just me, considering the way most of my projects have been going lately. 8-|
Babs |
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 3:56:22 PM
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Thanks for sharing -- I showed this to my daughter and her friends, and they said they would love to have one. I guess I'll have to visit the thrift store soon!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 5:16:35 PM
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That is interesting I got some yarn to try the felting thing. I haven't yet made anything though.
I hope when I make my bag is turns out nice. Pinkroses |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 6:12:58 PM
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I saw a woman this summer make really amazing felted purses and she was charging 50-100.00+ and getting it! They had interesting handles
and she used fringes, braids and bead trims. I have been trying to find time to work on one, it seemed like something any of us could do easily and have great results. Cecelia started a thread about this awile ago and there were pictures I think if anyone is interested. I made mittens a few years ago and they were great Christmas presents and very warm since I lined them with fleece, so no itching! Happy felting girls!
with a happy heart |
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GRITSgal
Farmgirl in Training
44 Posts
Jamie
Cave Spring
Georgia
44 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 06:43:22 AM
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that looks so cute!! I ll find the sweaters my husband already shrunk to make these totes!!
Give
Live
Love
~jamie lee~ |
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nitere
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Amy
Hickory
NC
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 07:50:05 AM
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i really want to try this project. i just joined a knitting club and next week we are learning how to felt something we knit and make a purse from that. using an old sweater seems to be a lot easier and less time consuming. not to mention that i would probably hate to felt something that i had worked so hard to knit!
http://www.buraellen.blogspot.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 7:11:27 PM
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OK you girls inspired me and I finally got around to trying this out. I went to Goodwill and found two wool sweaters (actually vests) and they shrunk very nicely to about half their original size after two rounds of - Hot wash cold rinse, regular dryer cycle.... Now I have sewed, blocked and steamed one of them into a bag shape, and used some of the trim to wrap around the purchased handles.
Let me ask you, when you guys do this type of bag, do you usually make a lining? Or is the felt strong enough to hold things on its own? If you do use a lining, do you make it slightly bigger than the bag (Kind of like a jacket lining, to give it some ease) or do you make it the same size or slightly smaller than the bag? And I am debating on whether to just sew the handles right on to the bag or use some type of fastener to allow the handles to be removed for later laundering? If I do decide to launder it later, will it shrink again?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2007 : 06:35:04 AM
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Hi Brenda! Glad you have ventured forth into the sweater-shrinking circle!! I do make a lining for my purses. First, I think that it will prevent pilling inside the purse from constant use. Second, I like the contrast between the wool and fabric. :) I make mine about the same size. Sometimes I fold it over the top edge, sometimes I stitch it flush and add a hand-stitched bias tape edge. I use the sleeves to cut my handles and use fabric for the underside for comfort. (That's why my handles are usually short- the sleeves shrink up so much!!) As far as washing your purse when it is finished- hand wash it using cool water and very little soap. Don't rub it or it will continue to felt!! Just swish it around, let it dry flat and press back into shape. Have fun! Be sure to post a picture of your finished purse!!
Karin |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 2:55:43 PM
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Cute! Isn't it nice when you can give something a new life? Good job!
Karin |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 9:09:57 PM
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So cute Brenda! Nice job, hope you enjoyed the process too!
with a happy heart |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 9:10:18 PM
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I was also thinking hats. Shrinking sweaters with patterns or stripes would really make some neat fabrics. Even the little scraps would be nice for things like pincushions. What fun!
Jana |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 9:16:31 PM
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Great purse Brenda. Love the zipper on the inside too!! Great bargain hunting on the handles! Now that is my kind of purse.
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Recyle old wool sweaters into purses |
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Recyle old wool sweaters into purses
