Life can take you in so many crazy directions. I never in a million years thought I would be a wool appliqué designer let alone an author. This journey started over 2 years ago when I had designed enough projects to submit to C & T. Working at home since selling my reproduction cotton and wool shop,The Woolen Needle, was one thing but writing was another. Just because you love the design process, color planning and wool doesnʼt mean you love the daunting task of pattern writing. Although not my favorite, I have learned a lot about pattern writing and what is helpful to the reader.I never know what will inspire me or when it will happen. Counting the Days Advent Calendar, which I had been stumped on how to put together, came about one day while I was recovering from the flu. I love everything old and worn, some of my inspiration has come from those beloved pieces. While not copying them exactly, I often times use them as a jumping off point. It can sometimes take me in really fun directions.I have been designing, decorating and crafting since I was a child. My Barbie house and bedroom were constantly being redecorated and rearranged. Luckily, there was a Ben Franklin dime store within blocks of my home, needless to say I was there often perusing the craft isle. Once we began having children, I was blessed with the ability to stay home and raise our four sons. Busy with school, church and sports activities, I was lucky to carve out time here and there to work on reproduction samplers, rug hooking and decorating our home for the holidays.Once the boys got older and needed me less I got the creative itch and opened The Woolen Needle in 2006 with a group of girlfriends. While there, I designed over 30 patterns and dyed the wool and yarn for the shop. The boys once again needed me more and their activities required more travel so I sold the shop to my co-workers in 2011. Since selling the shop, I have missed the sense of community you get with teaching and working with others.Writing Wool Appliqué Heirlooms was important because I want to not only pass down my pieces but I wanted to inspire others to make their own. We spend so much time on the projects we make with the hope that someone will appreciate them. The projects within the book revolve around times spent together and those that make them special. My hope is that you enjoy every project or at least let them inspire you to treasure your own. Order Wool Appliqué Heirlooms here! Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Here we go with Week 34! Every time I look at this flower, it reminds me of a print on a little girls dress. I think it just looks sweet and innocent. Maybe I'm hanging out with bunnies and kittens so much I want to stitch sweet look stuff. hee,hee,hee. We sure have come a long way with the flowers. Click on the Fellowship of the Flowers tab above and take a stroll back through all of them and the projects. Hugs and see ya Friday! xx, Michelle and the sweet fuzzy crew
WOOL APPLIQUE - Bloomin Beauties wool applique quilt stitched using hand dyed embroidery threads from http://etsy.com/shop/colourcomplements
For years, I've been interested in Penny Rugs. Their origin dates back to the Civil War era, when homemakers used wool scraps from old clothing, etc. to create mats or rugs. Using coins as templates, they created circles and stitched them with a blanket stitch to a background fabric. They weren't necessarily made as floor rugs, but more often decor coverings for beds, tables, and mantels. Recently, inspired by the blog site of Ashton Publications, I decided to try my hand at making a penny rug since it appears I will never find an antique one in my price range. Wool fabric is very expensive, so the search began to find affordable materials. Since this is raw-edge applique, the wool needs to be felted so that it doesn't ravel. The options are: Wool felt (different from craft felt) which sells for about $18 a yard in a limited color selection at Jo-Ann Fabric. I found my wool felt at Ruth's Stitchery in Colorado Springs in a bunch of yummy colors. Another option is wool that has been over-dyed and felted and is available on Etsy, and also at some quilt stores. This is expensive at about $3.00 for a piece 5" square; but, oh, it is so luscious and I can't resist it. A third option is to purchase new wool fabric at approximately $30 and up for a yard. Then, it is necessary to felt the wool yourself by washing it in very hot water and drying it in a hot dryer. And finally, another option is to find 100% wool garments at the thrift stores; deconstruct them and felt them yourself. I used wool from all of the above sources so that I could have a variety of colors, textures and patterns. This was a fun project; and was easy to accomplish using a #22 chenille needle and #5 Perle cotton for the embroidery, taking a couple of weeks working in the evenings. This is a small piece measuring just 12" x 20". Now, I'm thinking about another project using wool and embroidery; but not necessarily circular shapes. We'll see!!! I'm joining the following blog parties this week. Please check them out for lots of inspiration. Little Red House for Mosaic Monday Smiling Sally for Blue Monday A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesdays Jann Olson for Share Your Cup Thursday Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
....from our quilt group gathering. Valerie finished this UFO, and isn't it wonderful? I remember when I first saw this design......it was love at first sight. Julie has her quilt finished and quilted and ready for her bed. The red she has chosen really sets off the flowers. Nancy Allen whipped up this cute little quilt from a Moda group she belonged to. Debra is another very talented stitchery extraordinaire, in fact she is an artist, and her works shows it. She just completed my design called, A Stroll Through the Garden. Debra has been busy.....she also just completed my design, Gathering Baskets. And, she is working on a pillow design of mine called, Springtime Rabbit. This the splendid zip bag she made.....it's just stunning. Debra, also had just completed the top for this cozy comfort! Liz can be found standing behind this colorful table runner. Marilyn is working on The Farmer's Wife.......and she is a master at piecing. No point hidden on he work. I especially loved this little block. Brittany designed this quilt for Quilt Con. It is called the Madonna. We are so pleased for her as she won the ribbon for The Best Machine Quilting. What made her quilt extra special was all of the additional hand quilting she added. Yes, the cookies were delicious! "There is no room for greed or envy when you live your life based on love instead of fear," -Ben Behunin
It's winter. You would think a person would have time to hibernate! Not that I couldn't use a couple months of burrowing in and resting up! Thank you all so much for your kind comments and concerns over my recent medical emergency! It's hard to believe that acid reflux can make you feel like you're having a heart attack. So far treatment with a pepcid and watching the spicy foods, of which I rarely eat anyway, has seemed to help the symptoms. But am I doomed to a lifetime of drinking water and eating yogurt and bananas! I sure hope not. I've not had much time to hook or come up with any new designs. Hopefully after my taxes are done ( I should be starting them this very moment but I've been putting it off in favor of playing in my wool. Since inventory is part of taxes I can play in the wool while counting! These little wool applique winter lovers are from a pattern by Cheri Payne called Country Seasons! I stitched them a couple of years ago! But every winter they make me smile! So... where to begin! I think I'll pour myself a cup of hot water and clear off the dining room table. Make way for the reciept books, papers and ledgers. The old fashioned way I do taxes is much like the way I do a lot of things. Cathy G
This Wool and the Gang Crazy Sexy Wool Pattern Book brings you eight knitting patterns certain to inspire your creativity! With a range of projects that are perfect for beginners, get your needles ready and start stitching with confidence.
December Mat pattern By Buttermilk Basin 8.5” mat Penny Mats Through the Year patterns and books are not returnable
I have been taking full advantage of the cold winter to work on some cross stitch, wool projects and unfinished projects. I started this before Christmas and just finished the cross stitch portion a couple of weeks ago. I just love the frame around Santa with the snowman, trees and houses. The above is a pattern from Brenda Gervis of With Thy Needle and Thread. I'm almost finished with this table topper. I just love all the scrappy pennies....it's a great way to use up all those little pieces of wool. I'm not sure how I'm going to finish the edges yet. This is a pattern by Lynda Hall of Primitive Pieces by Lynda. I also tried my hand at quilting. This was a kit I bought many years ago. I had everything cut and marked but that was as far as I got. So one very cold day I finished piecing and hand quilted it. I really haven't done much quilting but I hope to do more. Don't look to closely because some of my points are gone. Now to bind it and I'm done. It will be great to finish this off. I love this penny rug! It's a pattern from Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. All ready to be stitched. I'll start this tonight. I listed a few things on eBay... You see my offerings by clicking here eBay. Have a great day, Leanne
Mary Flanagan Wool Bundles contain ten different textured wools; all hand-dyed in the same dye bath for consistency in color. These textures coordinate beautifully when mixing them in hooked rugs, appliqué and quilting projects. Prices are per bundle of 10. 5.5″ x 4.5″ – $14.50 8″ x 6.5″ – $29.95 16″ x 13″ – $117.50
Explore Melissa (atypicalquilter)'s 1972 photos on Flickr!
Tomorrow is National Quilting Day! We got a gift for you. Close your eyes! 😄 It’s a whopping two dozen of our latest quilting tutorials, all organized and categorized in one practical place. Right here! Pin, bookmark, or do whatever you do to keep track of handy quilty stuff online, but be sure to save …
"Valentine Vase" by Winding Vine Designs Last post I showed you some wools that I was working with... This is the finished piece. I wanted ...
Learn all about the types of wool fabric. Wool can be classified by the animal it is produced from, its weave and the way it is treated.
I have updated this post with information about Wendy's patterns. Workshop With Wendy Williams, that is! I spent a fun day at "Cutting Cloth" admiring all Wendy's lovely quilts.... This heart quilt is now available as a pattern here! and learning a few stitches and tricks! Pistil stitch, Whip stitch.... These were all made by Wendy! Reverse applique of pretty floral fabrics, and colonial knots! One of these, above, and two of these are mine! Look at those cute sheep! There was plenty of inspiration... as if I need another project! Even the bathroom was inspiring! How cool is this for a curtain? I do have an idea for my own design, but time will tell.... My 'flowers' so far! Have you tried wool felt work and embroidery? Happy sewing! SUZ
WOOL APPLIQUE BLOOMIN BEAUTIES using hand dyed perle cottons from Colour Complements available at http://etsy.com/shop/colourcomplements
Lisa Bongean is the creative force behind Primitive Gatherings. This is how she turned her vision into a reality.
