For Christmas, my very thoughtful step-children gave me a subscription to Craft Magazine. I love it! I've made the mistake of reading it over and over before I go to sleep and then I can't sleep because there are so many new things I want to learn to do. This week I tried felting. I had an old wool sweater I bought at etc. (the local thrift shop) for $3. I washed it in the hottest setting on my washing machine and then dried it on the hottest setting on my drying machine. I neglected to take photos of the before and after so picture this - before: "that sweater is way too big for you - but looks quite comfortable". after: "is that thick sweater for a 5-year old?" First thing I made was two potholders:
There was enough sweater left to make a purse! The strap and sides are the ribbed bottom part of the sweater. I simply blanket stitched it all together and added a vintage button. There's a little cell phone pocket on the back side - it's kind of floppy, and probably needs something to to stiffen it up - like a stack of $50 bills....
There was enough sweater left to make a purse! The strap and sides are the ribbed bottom part of the sweater. I simply blanket stitched it all together and added a vintage button. There's a little cell phone pocket on the back side - it's kind of floppy, and probably needs something to to stiffen it up - like a stack of $50 bills....
Go rummage through your husband's 100% wool sweater and make yourself a bag and some matching potholders.
12 comments:
That is really, really cute! Love the purse.
{singing to the tune of coat of many colors}
"the pot holder of many colors that my rachel made for me..."
ok, that implied that i wanted the pot holders. i do, but you know, i was just saying that cause it worked good with the lyrics...
sweet stuff rachel. sweeeeet. stuff.
I actually have wool clothing waiting for such an endeaver, but none of it has such great colors and the way you put it together is fantastic-really sharp!!
Can you do the wash/dry thing with him still in it? Just wondering. Mine refuses to give up his old sweaters ... tee shirts too ...he says: 'its mine, leave it alone'
Great minds think alike! I read this technique in Martha Stewart Living a year or two ago. My sister shrunk her favorite sweater, so I felted it and made a purse for her. She loves it! I have a few more sweaters shrunk and ready to become something new!
What a great project. That purse is darling!!
This sounds so fun! I've heard that process of shrinking a wool sweater is called "felting"...which makes sense because it does turn out like thick felt. (I've done it accidently before!) I'm going to look at the thrift store for something do shrink! :)
R~ I love your new purse! I have always wanted to try this. I'm wishing for summer camp at Two Dog Pond!
It is felting - and oh so thick! I have seen mittens made out of felted wool sweater that are warm and easy to make too. I'm hoping that the thrift stores put the wool sweaters on sale for really cheap since spring is just 6 long weeks away...
Did you hand sew or use a machine? You did a great job.
Looks fantastic.
How clever! Love these projects.
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