Felt Mittens

Had a lovely day yesterday with Caroline Merrell of Felt in the factory, Ross-on-Wye.  She showed me how to make these mittens.  The felt is needle felt, which is hand-dyed by Caroline, and the flower is needle felted onto the cut out mitten shape first.  The two halves of the mittens are then stitched together before beginning the felting process and 'shrinking' the mittens to fit.  Thank you Caroline.

My latest hat

This is my latest hat.  I made this for Pam, my Step-mother-in-law, for her Christmas present.  I also knitted the scarf to go with it.  I really must photograph and add the other hats I have made.  So far I have only used pre-made felt cones/capelines, but I really want to make my own wool felt ones.  Watch this space!

More Hats........

The pansy was my first (and probably last) venture into machine embroidery.  I made it on a course, but didn't really enjoy doing it.  I much prefer hand embroidery.  The centre is made up of french knots onto a piece of felt.  The braid on the edge I plied myself with coloured threads to match the green hat.

The Red Bowler. The feathers are ones that I collect. I dye them sometimes, but not in this example. I used the wrong fabric for the brim.  It was a lining fabric, but it creased too much.  I also attached it upside down!

 The Trilby - to be finished.  There are beads sewn on to cover the rust marks from rusty blocking pins that I used on my C&G course.  It is made fromn sinamay - not my favourite material to make hats from.  It is a very hard material, and I prefer more tactile materials.

The Straw Hat.The brim was blocked on an upside IKEA fruit bowl!

My First Hat

This was my first blocked hat from a cream velour hood.  I didn't know at the time that velour was from rabbit fur!  So all my subsequent projects are made from sheep wool or other natural fibres.

 The flower is one I crocheted from Rowan kid silk haze. 

 The beaded trim I purchased by the metre.  The brim is edged is a satin type dress fabric that I bought to make a blouse - years ago!

Felt Making Projects

Felt purse and slippers I made on a weekend course at Denmark Farm with Lorraine Pocklington.  A great fun weekend.  Never thought I could felt and make slippers in one day!  The slippers are actually green!  Exterior is made with Shetland wool and the inside with Wensleydale.  I'm now inspired to do a C&G course in felt-making

Wedding Fascinator

Fascinator I made for myself to wear at Sarah's wedding on October 27th.  Actual colours are a bit brighter.

RSN Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery

I was presented with this certificate by Dr Susan Kay-Williams, Chief Executive of the RSN, at a ceremony held at Tracy Franklin's studio in Durham in October.  I am really pleased with my achievement