I am a very untidy worker. I try to keep my work area (and cupboards) neat and tidy, but I have come to the conclusion that I am more creative when surrounded by mess. I think if things are too neat I am almost afraid to do any thing that might muck it all up. I never have a neat approach to my work either. I will have an idea in my head which I have to try out, with out any planning or preparation. Sometimes this can be wasteful, although I try to recycle any disasters. Mostly, I think it is a good way to work, I often stumble on new techniques by accident, and I love to start a project never quite knowing how it will turn out. It's much more exciting to be spontaneous!!
Anyway, my sewing box is a real mess. It needs a good sort out, as all my threads are getting tangled and I can never find what I'm looking for. My pins are just loose in the top compartment and I'm gradually losing them, so the other day I made myself a pin cushion. I needle felted it with merino wool. I'm quite pleased with the way it looks, but it is far too shallow (the pins go right through it). I'm already working on pin cushion number 2. I shall let my daughter have the first one (shown in the picture) to use in her doll's house as a floor cushion / foot stool. I am now thinking they would make great stocking fillers so there could be many more to come. I am on a mission this year to make as many of my christmas presents as possible. I say this every year, but always leave it too late. This year I have already started!!! I am in the middle of making a rabbit ( from felted jumpers of course) for my niece.
Here is another jumper bag, at the moment I'm having fun playing around with different styles. I spend a while looking at the jumper and a design usually pops into my head. They take quite a while to make as I have to hand sew them, the wool is just to thick to fit under my foot!! The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of creating something new and beautiful out of something people have discarded, and it's always good to recycle. I feel more trips to jumble sales coming on!!
I made this for my neice for Christmas. It's completely made from felted woollen jumpers bought from charity shops and jumble sales. So money spent on materials went to a good cause and I have recycled, doing my bit for the enviroment. My daughter has named her Molly, and now wants me to make her a pig. The pattern for this rabbit was in the japanese book below. I have adapted the pattern slightly.
I have just listed some Japanese felting books in my fibrespace store, they are really nice! I'm quite tempted to keep some for myself, there are five different titles, but I only have one copy of each, as I wanted to see how well they go down. Here's a taster...
Here is another jumper bag, at the moment I'm having fun playing around with different styles. I spend a while looking at the jumper and a design usually pops into my head. They take quite a while to make as I have to hand sew them, the wool is just to thick to fit under my foot!! The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of creating something new and beautiful out of something people have discarded, and it's always good to recycle. I feel more trips to jumble sales coming on!!
Here is another jumper bag, this is my favourite so far. I love the colours. It was a monsoon jumper I acquired at a jumble sale, and to be honest I did think twice about felting it!! The flower is a detachable brooch, so it could be worn on a coat lapel. I have also made a choker to match and am working on some cuffs.
I'm also working on some more bags made from recycled jumpers. These are jumpers with a very high wool content that I picked up at a jumble sale. I washed them in the washing machine on a very hot wash. This shrinks and felts the wool creating a nice sturdy fabric for bag making.
Here's one I made earlier, I'm working on a collection at the moment and will post more pictures later. The butterfly was needle felted. My only problem is I'm running out of jumpers and I don't really have the time to visit all our local jumble sales!! I have tried charity shops but they are a bit too expensive, if it's pure wool they ask at least £5. So, I have invested in a second hand knitting machine, can't wait to get going with it.
