Using Embroidered Wool Sweaters to create a Felted Wool Handbag

Last February, if memory serves that it was February, Staci and I went to our local thrift shop which was having a 99 cent sale on all their sweaters.  Of course, Staci and I had to go....even though we both already had plenty of wool sweaters to felt.  But a bargain is a bargain.  This past February I was in search of more unique wool sweaters and the black wool sweater with embroidered flowers was definitely one of them.  Since it was a cardigan style sweater, I can only use it in a handbag if I use more of a quilt style pattern.   Each side of the handbag is the same.  

I am not sure what I will do with this one, perhaps put in on Etsy or a gift?  Not sure.  I need to start working on packaging all of my Christmas gifts to my family and friends...many spread out across Texas in El Paso, Houston, San Antonio and Austin.  Got to get busy shipping all of our gifts.

Black and Purple Snowflake Tote

I created this tote for someone who also like purple, like me.  This will be shipped to Houston sometime next week as a Christmas gift.  Hopefully she will like it.

Felted Wool Purple Flowers and Butterfly Tote and Scarf

I like creating new felted wool totes and scarfs.  Since I love purple and butterflies, this is one of my favorites.  It's a simple design.

 Applique butterfly ...

 

 The scarf was fun, I liked using the same butterfly applique.  I sold the scarf at the Bear Creek Craft show so now I am glad I took pictures of all my scarfs before the craft show.

 

Bear Creek High School Craft Show

Staci and I had a fantastic experience at the craft show this last Saturday.  We had fun and were very happy with our sales.  Here are some pictures of our booth. 

Staci's Felted Wool Scarfs

Isabel's Felted Wool Scarfs

 I love this Gingerbread Paper cutouts Staci had at the craft fair...I was not the only one!

Felted Wool Handbags with coordinating Felted Wool Scarfs

Creating new felted wool handbags has been fun.  While shopping at the thrift store, I was lucky to find some wool sweaters with embroidery.  After these sweaters were felted the design was kept pretty much intact.  Using the embroidery in the felted wool was somewhat of a challenge but I am pleased with the results.

Pink Black and Red

 A fun fabric for the lining...it had all the colors I needed, black, red and pink!

 With the leftover felted wool material, I created extra rose pins.

 This is the other sweater with embroidery. A scarf ready for Christmas.

 The coordinating handbag -- one side has a rose pin on the corner.  Since it is a pin it is removable.

 The other side of the bag.  I really liked this handbag.  If I don't sell it at today's craft show (Bear Creek High School Craft Show), I think I will be keeping this bag for myself.

 I used fabric with text.

Felted Wool Sweater Scarf with Flower Pin

Creating these scarfs from felted wool gets easier as I sew more.  Basically, I used two coordinating sweaters to create this scarf.  I had fun with the flower pin by adding extra trim like ribbon and an embroidered fabric button for the center. 

Back to Creating Handbags...and Scarfs from Felted Wool Sweaters

I have been working so hard on my felted wool pins, I have neglected to make any new handbags and totes!  With my  last craft show of the season this Saturday and Christmas it has motivated me to create more felted wool handbags.  It had been so long, I forgot how much fun I have creating these one of kind handbags. 

About a year ago, I  cut many felted wool sweaters to create scarfs but did not do any sewing on them.   My friend Staci has made the scarfs for two years now and I hoped to make some but it is not until now that I actually made them.   I found them a little tricky but in the end I was happy with the gathered edges and creating coordinating pins to go along with my scarfs.

My goal is to post all my new handbags and scarfs in the coming weeks.  So, today I will start with a black and white handbag with a coordinating scarf.

 

A closeup of the two flower pins on the scarf.  

 A black and cream handbag.  I added a scallop edge to the side.  The cream sweater was difficult to work with but I really wanted to use it on a handbag -- the sweater has a lace within that I wanted to use. 

 The lining of the handbag, I found the fabric in the remnants bin at JoAnns.

 

 My friend Lisa had an old wool/blend sweater ....now it has been converted into a handbag.  I added the rose pin to the bag.

 The lining was fun, it's the first time I combined different coordinating fabrics into the lining of the handbag.  Since I did not have enough fabric I had to combine the different patterns...now I am glad that was the case because it allowed me to explore a different technique.