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Felt

I've been meaning to learn how to make 3D felt for years, this inspiring tutorial on the blog Homework got me very enthusiastic and excited to try it out.

The red slippers are the first ones I did. I made the leg bit a little too narrow (ie I couldn't get my foot in), so they ended up with the U shape at the front. Which I now quite like! They are very snug and soft. I think they need a little bit more felting as the inner white fibres are migrating out into the red and pilling a little.

This is the other pair I have made. Thse have a wrinkly look because I added silk fibre on top. As the wool felts, the silk scrunches up to give an interesting texture. These ones are more generously sized and I can get my foot in and out no worries. I never realised my feet were so pointy until I felted theses slippers!

I have recently replenished my supplies of coloured fine merino wool tops. I order mine from Nancy at Treetops Colours in Western Australia. I have been ordering from Nancy for years and she has always given great service. This time I ordered the Colour Nuances Sample Pack which is 400g chocked full of great colours, just right for little felting and spinning projects. This is in preparation for the felting day I've been planning with some friends.

I've been home sick from work today. I'm a bit fuzzy in the head and achy... I hoping like mad that I have not got the lurgy. Perhaps I've come down with a raging case of hypochondria LOL.

I'm hiding these photos right down the bottom because the photography is very ordinary... but I wanted to record a finished quilt:

This is the Lines quilt. I can see lots of possibilities with printing and I want to do heaps more :-) Riscy doesn't like it. Too much white at the top, he reckons.

I hung it in our bedroom. This is an insitu shot with my attempt at a little bit of interior decorating styling inspired by some of the home dec blogs I've been browsing lately (ahem!)

I like the look of your

I like the look of your lines quilt very much. I would love to be able to see how you quilted it. Clicking on the close-up pic did not lead me anywhere unfortunately. I think that the top area of white disappears into your wall behind the quilt and the wall pours into the quilt space. It would look stunning against a strong colour I think.
  • By Olga (not verified) at 2007-08-15 17:30

Hi Olga, thanks :-)  I'll

Hi Olga, thanks :-)  I'll definitely have to take some better photos of this quilt against a different background.  All the walls in our house have recently been repainted to that colour, so I'll have to improvise LOL 

  • By Claire at 2007-08-18 08:18

I love your slippers! The

I love your slippers! The colors are fantastic. I recently learned a tip from a more experienced felter (Nicole at Festive Fibers) that helps create the final 'hard' finish on felt that will get a lot of use. She dips her piece in a vinegar/water solution as a final rinse. Depending on what type of soap you use, it returns the pH of the wool back to its original state. This woman makes rugs and upholsters furniture with her felt fabric; the rinse keeps the felt from pulling away in wispy bits (which has started to happen to my slippers). I need to do more research before editing my post, but I intend to add this step to my instructions.

Thanks Leah!!  They were

Thanks Leah!!  They were heaps of fun to make... thanks sooo much fo the tutorial.  One other step I took with the second pair was when i was felting on my foot I felted it both right site and inside out as I had noticed that the inside wool wasn't as felted as the outside... which makes sense now I think of it!  I'll definitely try vinegar next time. Thanks for the tip!
  • By Claire at 2007-08-18 08:20

well Frodo! all you need now

well Frodo! all you need now is a pointy felt hat!
  • By Meg (not verified) at 2007-08-17 20:04

LOL Megan, youse so funny

LOL Megan, youse so funny :-P
  • By Claire at 2007-08-18 08:22

The slippers are fab, as is

The slippers are fab, as is the quilt. It's amazing how really simple things like rubber bands and cardboard can produce truly sophisticated work, like that quilt...well done, you!
  • By marion (not verified) at 2007-08-19 03:31

Cheers Marion!!

Cheers Marion!!
  • By Claire at 2007-08-19 15:38

loving the lines

loving the lines
  • By jude (not verified) at 2007-08-25 00:42

Thanks Jude

Thanks Jude
  • By Claire at 2007-08-30 22:15

i've been wanting to tell

i've been wanting to tell you that this lines quilt here totally deserve its own post, and not be hidden at the bottom. i don't think Riscy knows what he's talking about. heheh. j.k. ;). but i do so love the subtleness of the colors and simplicity of it all. p.s. like those red felted shoes too. :). go great with those cool socks.
  • By Guest (not verified) at 2007-09-03 03:05