Green Felt Bag

A month or so ago I posted a photo of a piece of felt I made using a combination of wet and needle felting.  I turned that into the green bag above, with a wet-felted, wool rope handle.  The interior of the bag is lined with linen and it is stitched together with DMC cotton floss using a blanket stitch.  The little bag above it is a "wallet" or eyeglass case, made of contrasting colors and a few accent colors echoing the larger bag.  I will be embarking on another similar project soon, and will post step-by-step photos and instructions.  Oh, the bag still needs a button closure, and I will be working on that too.

Felt Painting with Update

     I have been working with a combination of wet and needle felting that, for want of a better term, I have been calling "felt painting."  Above is an example of a decorative wall hanging. I wet felted the base, using prefelt (a pre-made, first layer of wool) and arranging a variety of greens and a few yellows on it.  I used dyed curly locks that I purchased at a fiber festival.  After wet felting and allowing the base to dry, I individually needle felted the pink roses and small purple flowers, attaching them to the base with a felting needle.  I will begin working on the rose leaves, though I don't want to put on so many that it obscures the cool background.

     The piece above is the base for a tri-fold bag.  The first fold will be where you see the greater concentration of bluish wool.  Then I will fold over a smaller length on the left side to make a flap. stitching together each side.  I will needle felt the floral design before folding (it is easier to do this on a flat surface than on a "pocket"), make a felted rope handle and piping and embellish with beads and embroidery.  Keep posted!

Update:  The felt piece is now dry and I folded it the way it will be when I make it into a bag:

It looks a little crooked, but won't be when it is done!
Happy felting!

Hat Ornament

I know, we usually do not wear woolens on the spring and summer, but with felting you can make cute ornaments or accents, like the felted flower for this straw garden hat!  When I make felted flowers, I usually try to make all the petals from one continuous hank of wool, twisted and needled into the flower shape.  Then I needle in the contrasting center and any other color accents.  This makes for a sturdier flower, one that will never loose its petals!
Happy needlin'!

What's In a Name?

Will I need to change the name of this blog?

I have been experimenting with wet felting, with a goal of making creations that are combinations of wet felting, needle felting, and, perhaps embroidery and beading.  The top photo is a wet-felted fabric background, upon which I am going to needle felt.  Wet-felted fabrics are firmer than needle-felted ones, and might be more suitable for botanical compositions (not sure).  Wet felting uses water, soap, agitation and pressure to make fabric...

...or objects, like these future beads for a necklace.

Will post as soon as the backing is dry and needle felted!
Till then..... have fun with all things fiber!

Next class!

I need students for my "fast and furious" needle felting weekend intensive class, May 18 and 19 (shorter afternoon session on Sunday).  Please pass this along to any crafty friends! We have a blast!  Register at:  http://www.lewisginter.org/events/event_detail.php?event_id=1118

Needle Felting at Ginter Garden

In February, I did needle-felting demonstrations at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  The photo to the left is me with a crowd of interested folks, and, to the right, with a special friend I made (see the blue flower she is holding?  We felted it together!).

My next demo will be at the Powhatan Festival of Fiber on April 27, from 9:30 to 1:30.  For more info, go to: http://www.powhatansfestivaloffiber.com/

Registration for my next needle-felting class in May will open in early April, at:  http://www.lewisginter.org/adult-education/adult-educationhappeningnow.php#Art

Keep needlin'

Needle-Felting with Botanical Subjects

I just finished teaching another session of "Needle Felting with Botanical Subjects" in the Art in the Garden program at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens http://www.lewisginter.org/adult-education/adult-educationhappeningnow.php#Art  and what a fabulous class it was, with wonderful students!  Below are some samples of their amazing work!  I will be posting some more photos of their projects in process at the class and will ask them to send me pictures to post of their final works.

In the class, we discussed tools of the trade and how to use them, felting methods and techniques, suitable wools for needle felting and some ideas about subject, composition and dimensionality.  The next confirmed class is in November, but I am working on some other options. In addition, I will be demonstrating needle felting at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this weekend, Feb 23 and 24, from 11AM to 3PM, so come on out!  The orchid show is in the conservatory, and there will be a "petal pounding" activity for children too!  My students and I will also be demonstrating needle felting on April 27, 10 to 3 at the Powhatan Festival of Fiber, http://www.powhatansfestivaloffiber.com/

Keep active!  Keep needlin'!