Felting and Fiber Studio

Usually, I find inspiration in nature or another artists work.  But recently I saw an ad in a department store flyer for a bedspread that caught my eye.   I kept going back to it until I finally I cut the picture out and laid it on my work table.

It stayed there for a while and I kept asking myself what about it that kept drawing me back to it.  I didn’t need a bedspread, but there was something about the colors and design I found intriguing. The design looked as if the colors were painted with a brush and there were uneven lines like paint dripping down the wall.

I was in the process of trying to come up with a design for a book cover and thought I’d use the design elements I liked in the ad for that.

I measured meticulously for the the book cover allowing for fold over sides, shrinkage, straps, etc.  With my template finished, I laid out my design.  I really wanted to emulate that brush feel, so I even used a comb to separate the fibers.  For the paint squiggles, I used mohair yarn I had dyed.

However, once it was done I realized I couldn’t use it for the cover.  I would distort the design to cut the straps.  So, plan B — a pillow.  I had a pillow form that would work just fine.   The felted piece was a little too large so I wet it and threw it in the dryer.  Perfect. But now I needed a back.

The white wool I used was more of a light cream color, so I didn’t want to make a white back.  I had enough dark blue.  Again, I wanted to try to recreate that brush stroke.   I made a smaller template and proceeded to lay out the second side.

Since the finished piece was the right size, I didn’t have to put it in the dryer.  Consequently, it is smoother than the white side which is fine.  I sewed the pieces together and now I have a reversible pillow with two different textures and looks!

The brush stroke design wasn’t exactly what I wanted. The felting process tightened up all my careful combing, but I learned a lot and will try again.

I really liked the dark blue color and  wanted to dye some new thick and thin yarn I purchased to use on another project.

Of course, even though I have a variety of thick and thin yarns this dark blue wasn’t one of them.  I found this new Ashland Bay yarn and just love the texture and novelty of the twist.

The Midnight Blue acid dye on my shelf was just what I wanted.  I thought.  Next to the dark blue it looks purple.  The silk cocoons I threw into the dye pot turned a light purple and the wool batting is a medium purple.  It’s a good thing I like purple as well.

Now back to the drawing board!