Felt Art Accents for the Home

130 Pages·2003·11.12 MB·English

by  Trice Boerens

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That is exactly how you and your guests will E
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feel in your home after it’s decorated with an T
array of warm and fuzzy felt art accents.
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From pillows and quilts to photo frames and
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tablecloths, author Trice Boerens shows you T
how to complete elegant, yet easy, projects A
that prove felt is a humble, inexpensive fiber C
that can be dressed up and transformed into C
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sophisticated and stylized home accents.
N
"Felt is my new favorite old thing," Boerens
T
proclaims. "It is the best stuff ever."
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After trying some of these projects, it will
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become your new old favorite, too. o
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FFeeaattuurreedd iinnssiiddee:: m
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44 elegant home décor projects for use in various
rooms throughout your home.
••
A primer on felt, embroidery stitches, and other basic
sewing techniques.
••
Easy-to-follow instructions with many beautiful
photographs, helpful illustrations and patterns,
and detailed steps.
B
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Trice Boerens is author of 15 previous crafting and sewing books and has designed a wide variety of
items from fabrics to scrapbooks, stickers, and greeting cards to kids' jewelry kits and more. An art
education graduate of Brigham Young University, Trice has received such awards and honors as the
National Printing Association Award of Excellence and Anchor Golden Needle Award for Outstanding
Chartpak. She resides in Utah with her husband and four children.
Trice Boerens
ISBN 0-87349-531-4 US $19.99
51999
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0 4608100531 2 9 780873495318 e
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FFEELLTT AARRTT
AACCCCEENNTTSS
for the home
Trice Boerens
FAAH_pp1-11 12/10/02 11:11 AM Page 2
©2003 by Trice Boerens
All rights reserved.
No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical,including photocopy,recording,or any information storage and retrieval
system,without permission in writing from the publisher,except by a reviewer who may quote
brief passages in a critical article or review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper,or electroni-
cally transmitted on radio or television.
Published by
An F&W Publications Company
700 East State Street • Iola, WI 54990-0001
715-445-2214 • 888-457-2873
www.krause.com
Please call or write for our free catalog of publications.Our toll-free number to place an order or
obtain a free catalog is [phone].
Library of Congress Catalog Number:2002113122
ISBN:0-87349-531-4
Photography by Kevin Dilley and illustrations by Cherie Hanson.
2 Felt Art Accents For the Home
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Dedication
To Robbin Bedard,a terrific friend.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank acquisitions editor
Julie Stephani,editor Maria Turner,and
page designer Donna Mummery at
Krause Publications for helping me
make this book a reality.
I am also grateful to photographer Kevin Dilley
for the stunning photographs and to
illustrator Cherie Hanson for the excellent
diagrams and illustrations.
Finally,thank you to Ann Gladwell for use of her
beautiful home as a backdrop for my projects.
Dedication/Acknowledgments 3
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Table of Contents
Dedication and Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . .3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Chapter 1—General Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Chapter 2—Head For the Pillows . . . . . . . . . .12
Four-Window Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Sixteen-Window Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Twenty-Five-Window Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Embroidered Bird Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Embroidered Floral Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Ribbon Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Smocked Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Chapter 3—Leaf It to Felt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Leaf Puzzle Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Leaf Puzzle Table Runner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Rose Wreath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Rose Centerpiece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Green Faux Lace Pocket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Gray Faux Lace Pocket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Chapter 4—On a Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Blue Mission Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Green Mission Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Mission Photo Album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Covered Cord Basket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Covered Cord Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Covered Cord Ornament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Covered Cord Table Runner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
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Chapter 5—You’ve Been Framed . . . . . . . . . . .60
Gable Appliquéd Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Floral Appliquéd Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Vine Appliquéd Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Spiral and Leaf Coiled Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Button and Pinwheel Coiled Frame . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Chapter 6—Have a Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Rosebud Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Plain Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Confetti Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Button Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Blue Blossom Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Chapter 7—Turn the Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Floral Tablecloth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Harlequin Tablecloth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Chapter 8—Play With Yo-Yos . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Yo-Yo Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Yo-Yo Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Yo-Yo Doll Quilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Chapter 9—Oh Baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Bunny Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Sparkle Shoe Garland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Sparkle Shoe Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Heart Garland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Cross-Hatched Hearts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Heart Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Yellow Flower Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Glitter Flower Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Chapter 10—Felt Crazy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Crazy Quilt Wall Hanging/Throw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Table of Contents 5
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Introduction
Over the years,I have discovered and rediscovered experiments that didn’t work,such as “aging”ivory felt
many art supplies and crafting techniques.I dabble in by crinkling it up and dipping it in watered-down brown
some,like batik,and become totally engrossed in others, paint.This turned out dingy and depressing,and felt
like silk screening,strip piecing,weaving,and jewelry doesn’t really crinkle.Another failed experiment involved
making to name a few. weaving fine strips offelt on a mini-loom;the strips
Anyway,my best friend lives halfway across the fell apart.
country,so we do most ofour communicating by phone. But there were many techniques that worked and the
Every few months,I will announce something like,“Tile results are terrific! Ofcourse,you can stitch,glue,and stuff
glazing is my favorite thing!”That is her cue to say,“I felt—but did you know that you can stamp,fuse,smock,
thought paper crafting was your favorite thing.”Then I stencil,coil,sculpt,and make yo-yos with it? You can even
have to qualify my statement:“OK then,it’s my new use decorator chalk used for scrapbooking to color felt.
favorite thing.” Felt is a humble,inexpensive fiber that can be dressed-
I am happy to say that for the past year,felt has been up and transformed into sophisticated and stylized home
my new favorite old thing—or my new old favorite thing. accents.After trying some ofthese techniques,it will
Felt is the best stuffever. become your new old favorite,too.
When I began making projects for this book,I Most projects are easy enough for those ofbeginning
intended to make several penny rugs.I love the graphic to intermediate skill levels.The most difficult project to
nature ofpenny rugs.They become miniature color execute is the Spiral and LeafCoiled Frame,page 74.
studies—a version ofearly American pop art.Although It takes a few minutes ofpractice to roll and shape the felt
these rugs were originally made from boiled wool,they can strips,but once you master the technique,you will want to
also be made from felt.Felt won’t fray,it is easy to layer and make more.
to stitch around,and it comes in a wide variety ofcolors. Since the focus ofthe book is on home decorating
I love penny rugs,but I never got around to making items,there are many throw pillows.All ofthe techniques,
any because I was too busy shaping and manipulating felt used to make the pillows can be adapted for other home
in ways that I hadn’t tried before.There were many dec items or can even be incorporated into clothing.
6 Felt Art Accents For the Home
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General
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Instructions n
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About Felt Whipstitching
Felt is a non-woven textile made offibers that are
Whipstitching is simply joining two or more layers
matted together.Since the fibers are small and entwine in
together with a simple wrapping stitch.
all directions,it has a flat matte finish that absorbs light
When whipstitching the front and back together ofa
and has no grain.It has been made for thousands ofyears.
shape that will be stuffed,it is necessary to have stitches
Before spinning and weaving,there was felt-making.The
tightly spaced,as shown below.
ancients used wool fibers to make felt,which resulted in a
material that was warm enough for coats and sturdy
enough for tent walls.Joseph’s coat ofmany colors may
have been made from wool felt that was dyed with intense
vegetable and metallic dyes.
Most felt available in craft and fabric stores is 100%
acrylic.It is offered in 9" x 12" pre-cut rectangles,36"
packaged squares,or rolled on a bolt.Felt is also available
in blends of20% to 30% wool and rayon.The projects
made from wool blend felt include:the Mission Pillows,
pages 46 through 50;the Four-Window Pillow,page 14;
and the Crazy Quilt Wall Hanging/Throw,page 124.Wool
blend felt can be washed to achieve a bumpy or dimpled
surface.After washing,it becomes very soft to the touch,
and it is lightweight enough to use in clothing.
When comparing different styles and brands offelt,
you will notice that it varies in weight and hand.It can be
flat and stiff,or full and soft.Felt ofaverage density works
When tacking two layers offabric together,or attach-
best for the projects contained within this book.For
ing a three-dimensional surface decoration to fabric,the
instance,felt that is too flat doesn’t coil well,and felt that is
stitches can be more widely spaced,as shown below.
too full,doesn’t stamp well.After working with various
weights,you will find which ones work best for your
favorite techniques.
General Instructions 7
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Embroidery Stitches French Knot
Several embroidery stitches are used in various
projects throughout this book.Here,I have detailed simple
steps for completing each,as well as helpful diagrams so
you can see how each stitch is accomplished.Ifyou are
unfamiliar with any ofthe stitches,it is probably best to
practice each on scrap felt or material before trying them
on the actual projects.
Backstitch
Bring needle up and wrap floss once around it.(For a
fuller knot,wrap floss around needle twice.)
Insert the needle in fabric nest to where it was brought
up initially and pull taught.
Long Stitch
The backstitch is used for line work or outlining.
Begin by bringing the needle up at 1 as shown in the
diagram,down at 2,and up again at 3.Return to 1 and
continue.
Wrapped Backstitch
After backstitching,working left to right,insert needle This stitch is used on the Button Ball and Cross-
through first stitch,wrap and insert needle through second Hatched Hearts projects,pages 84 and 115.
stitch.Continue in same manner. While referring to the diagram,come up;at 1 and
down at 2.Continue this parallel stitch by coming up
through 3 and so on.The length ofstitch will vary
depending on design.
Chain Stitch
Couched Long Stitch
After bringing the needle up at 1 in the diagram,form Use a series ofeven short stitches to secure trim or
a small loop ofthread and hold in place with left thumb. ribbon in place.
(Use right thumb ifyou are stitching with your left hand.)
Insert needle at 2.
Bring needle up at 3 inside first loop to form second Running Stitch
loop.Hold with thumb and insert needle at 4.
Working right to left (ifright-handed),simply stitch
Repeat to form a chain.
up and down,generally in a straight line.Be sure to stitch
Secure the end with a small stitch over last loop.
through all layers.
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Satin Stitch Stem Stitch
This stitch is used for line work or outlining.
While referring to the diagram,come up at 1,down at
2,up at 3,and down at 4.Continue in the same manner.
The satin stitch is used to fill in a shape with a solid
ground offloss.
Begin by coming up at 1,as shown in the diagram,and
continue down at 2.Repeat with parallel stitches.Make
sure tension is even for each stitch to create flat or “satin”
surface.
Star Stitch
This stitch is used in the centers ofcircles on the
Floral Appliqued Frame,page 66.
While referring to the diagram,begin by bringing the
needle up at 1,down at 2,up at 3,and down at 4.Continue
with the needle coming up again at 5,down at 6,up at 7,
and down at 8.
General Instructions 9