Sunday 24 June 2007

Felt and vintage silk purse


What started off as an experiment has now been turned into a purse. I've used vintage pure silk scarves and white merino wool. After laying the cut-outs of silk onto a double layer of wool, the felting process began. I soon realised which silks felted quickly.
I had already used a fine net tulle which had beads stitched on and so after the purse was completed, I added more antique beads.
A large antique press stud has been used for closure.

Design faults:-
1. The purse needs to be double, rather like a rectangular tube which is then folded over so that the change doesn't fall out.
2. For quicker felting, the silk needs to be breathable and one should be able to see through it.

Underwater wall hanging.


Underwater wall hanging.
Originally uploaded by Feltissimo
The weather forecast for Morecambe was bad this week so I decided to do some felting. As it happened the skies remained blue for most of the week but I did manage to complete two projects. This is the first, a lovely wall hanging for my grandaughter Molly's bedroom. I have used merino and wensleydale wool tops with silk carrier rods and neeps and an addition of Victorian glass beads and rods in blue and white for the danglers. For the first time I used some embroidery on my felt work, something which I think I will do more of.

If you click on the picture it will take you to my Flickr page where you will be able to see a close-up of this work.