daisymoon
Junior Member
I'm a newcomer to felting
Posts: 12
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Post by daisymoon on Jul 16, 2018 12:58:26 GMT
I feel like weeping I decided I would challenge myself at having a go at the Lizzie Houghton felted jacket in Felting Fashion (not the nuno felted version). It's probably overly ambitious but I wanted to have a go. I've produced a template which I think will be OK for my size but I cannot make sense of her instructions around the use of the resist for the front wrap. Can anyone shed any light? I feel really stupid that there is something here I'm not understanding All advice/guidance very gratefully received...
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Post by wolgelukkig on Jul 16, 2018 13:19:09 GMT
Usually you lay the front layers of wool on the template but because there is an overlap you have to make a template for that part too. For example: right side you lay on the main template according to the lines you have drawn for the front ( half the front with the addition for the overlap). Then you need a separate template for the overlap from the left side over the right. I don't know the instructions but that is how I would do it.
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daisymoon
Junior Member
I'm a newcomer to felting
Posts: 12
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Post by daisymoon on Jul 16, 2018 15:03:39 GMT
That makes more sense and I can see now is probably the same as the instruction in the Houghton book. I was halfway through the project before realising that I hadn't properly understood the instructions and panicked a bit which probably affected my thinking, but this makes it clearer. Thank you
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Post by MTRuth on Jul 16, 2018 17:17:20 GMT
I thought the instructions in the Houghton book were very minimal and unclear. Do show us your jacket when you get it finished. We'd love to see
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Post by elizabeth on Jul 16, 2018 17:43:00 GMT
Congrats for undertaking such a challenge. You'll learn a lot, even if it doesn't work like you hope it does. We have many re-purposed felt items here. Unless you're like me and throw it in the 'some day' bin and never look at it again.
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Post by tracey on Jul 16, 2018 18:01:21 GMT
Yes good for you for giving it your best shot. Think of the sense of achievement when it is finished and you can say 'I made that' Good luck and we would love a photo when you are ready.
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Post by tracey on Jul 16, 2018 18:06:27 GMT
Congrats for undertaking such a challenge. You'll learn a lot, even if it doesn't work like you hope it does. We have many re-purposed felt items here. Unless you're like me and throw it in the 'some day' bin and never look at it again. A customer wanted to buy my bunting I had made for my stall from a failed project, even though I explained this and said it was for decoration.
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Post by MTRuth on Jul 16, 2018 21:02:47 GMT
Customers always want to buy display pieces that aren't for sale. We get that all the time. Lots of our stuff is made from cardboard and they want that too.
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Post by tracey on Jul 17, 2018 7:18:19 GMT
You'll like this - recently at my stall a lady admired my blouse and asked if I had made it. I said no it is a very recent purchase from a department store, so she asked for the stock number, so there I am trying to squint at a label on the inside of my clothing and reading out a long number to a friend to jot down to give to her, and off she went - happy!
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daisymoon
Junior Member
I'm a newcomer to felting
Posts: 12
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Post by daisymoon on Jul 17, 2018 15:22:14 GMT
Thanks to you all for such helpful and encouraging comments . I confess that at the point I send my original message I was further on in my project than I should perhaps have been when I realised I didn't actually know what I was doing, so the weeping feelings were genuine. There was a lot of project taking up space in my living room. Anyway. Particular thanks to Wolgelukkig. Thanks also to Ruth for the hope that I might not be utterly stupid. I couldn't help fearing that my inability to visualise the instructions in the Houghton book was somehow connected to being rubbish at Maths. It might still be, but I'm glad that I'm not alone in not finding the instructions less than clear. I have learnt a lot from doing this project, including that I need to enlarge my template in some areas. So I'm really glad I persevered and so glad as well to have access to this forum and the wonderful support and advice offered. I haven't achieved a jacket with a wrap over because had gone too far in the wrong direction when I received clearer guidance on how to achieve this. So I have and edge-to-edge boxy jacket which is, a bit on the short side, even for me But I will wear it so all is not lost! And lots of other failures i can think about re-purposing... Does anyone know of a giant in need of a pair of slippers?! 20180717_144758 by Daisy Moon, on Flickr
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Post by lindsay on Jul 17, 2018 15:52:26 GMT
Looks fabulous. Wear it with pride. Ok, so it’s a bit shorter than you intended but it’s 100% unique and I bet it looks great
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Post by Pandagirl on Jul 17, 2018 17:41:54 GMT
Daisymoon, kudos to you for taking on such a complicated project. It turned out nice even if its shorter than you wanted. Every time we start another project we learn something new. Keep stretching yourself.
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Post by tracey on Jul 17, 2018 18:03:01 GMT
That is fabulous. Good for you for attempting such an undertaking. I have been felting two years now and I know I would not try something like this in a million years! Would it look silly with some sort of fabric extension around the bottom to make it longer everyone?? - Feel free to say Yes Tracey it would!!.....
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Post by Shepherdess on Jul 17, 2018 19:09:16 GMT
Well done. I don't know that I would do a seamless jacket or well anything with sleeves after doing it once. I would make some fabric and add sleeves after. The instructions in that book are not great. I find that with lots of instructions. They are perfectly fine in a class where you have the teacher showing and explaining but not good on thier own. Don't feel bad a friend took a week long felting workshop one summer and ended up with a giant stand up on it's own "jacket" that will never be worn by anyone but a scarecrow. It will not shrink more and is about twice s big as she is. That was with the teacher there so you really did do well on your own.
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Post by MTRuth on Jul 17, 2018 20:23:23 GMT
You did a great job. And short jackets can be worn with layers underneath. These are tons of work so pat yourself on the back. And you could use frog closures on the front if you wanted it to close. I agree with Ann, that making one piece garments is tough to get a good fit especially around the sleeves/shoulders.
In regards to the book instructions, you are not "utterly stupid". Most books do not give the best instructions and this book is definitely not the best.
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