Two sample models with appliques stitching completed

Continuing from the previous post, I made my thread choices and appliqued the white snowflakes to the red background. You can see the dark variegated thread I used on the model to the right. It is interesting to experiment and see the effect of different thread colors – you will see later in this post that I did yet another one with black thread. I will also suggest that if you are new to stitching you may want to consider that a high contrast thread will show up more than a thread color that blends in – so if you are having fun but have yet to develop consistent stitches and don’t want to draw any extra attention to your stitching, stick with a low contrast thread More…

‘Rough’ cutting of snowflake applique – fusible: to use or not to use???

Since I began designing in felted woven wool and/or wool felt, I have found that there is a considerable range of opinions about the use of fusibles for wool applique. Personally, I feel that it is all about what look you want or are happy with, and how stitching on fused wool works for you. That said, I decided I would try some variations in working up my samples; while you can’t exactly ‘feel’ the finished results over the internet (maybe someday!!!), I think I can present some options that you might consider trying. As a designer and a teacher I can only benefit from experimentation, hopefully saving others from potential frustration OR presenting more possibilities! I used fusible in each of the 3 red samples – each in a different way – and I also have some photos of how I chose to use it in the larger green model. Be sure to click on the photos to get a closer view, as some of the detail in the photos isn’t really obvious until you enlarge the picture. More…

Cut out freezer paper pattern for snowflake

In creating this assortment of samples – all of which are made from entirely 100% felted woven wools – I want to share the process of folding, tracing and cutting the various paper templates used in their construction. Just to be clear, I made one larger dark green and winter white topper, as well as a group of three small 8-9″ red mats all of which I handled differently. I use both tracing paper and freezer paper for my patterns. More…

All Felted Wool Samples!

A very belated Happy New Year to all of you! I left 2012 with a nasty cold that left me indisposed for at least a week, but the good news is that I have escaped the flu (so far!). I hope saying that doesn’t jinx me! Certainly the holidays are busy times and rightly so – time spent with family and friends is priceless. This new year has brought me several reminders of just how precious. In the past few weeks, my cousin in Germany lost her husband to cancer, I said a final goodbye to a dear friend of more than 30 years, and another friend is currently recuperating from surgery that confirmed a cancerous brain tumor and an uncertain future. When it rains, it pours. I’m hoping the new year gets better moving forward. It has taken some concentrated energy to focus on stitching projects that I need to get done. I am teaching a workshop/class at Quilter’s Haven in Rosemount in February. Jean carries a wonderful selection of woven wools, so I want to make sure I have some samples of toppers done entirely with the felted woven wool. More…