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Conversational Threads

piecing together felted squares

ellen_ginsburg | Posted in Quilting and Home Decor on

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Hello! I would love to hear some suggestions on sewing together a quilt-inspired blanket. I felted some old wool sweaters, and plan to cut out squares. What I am not sure about is to whether overlap these squares or not. I am thinking about a blanket or a feather stitch to put them together.

Thanks!

Replies

  1. karen_morris_ | | #1

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    Ellen, I think it depends on how "felted" your squares are. If they're very stable, you can butt the edges together and sew with a wide-ish stitch. If they're not so stable, you'll probably need to overlap and stitch them. Threads mag. has had two wonderful articles on working with felted wool by Therese Inverso, in issue 73, pp. 78-80; and in issue 61, pp. 32-36,76, on felted wool patchwork. She makes beautiful stuff--I think looking at/reading these would give you some good ideas.

    1. Hilary_Slaughter | | #2

      *Karen, How can I find Issues #73 and 61 to read about the felting you mentioned in this forum? Used to subscribe to Threads in the very beginning and just found this site by accident. Thanks, Hilary Slaughter. [email protected]

      1. Hilary_Slaughter | | #3

        *Also, how can I get in touch with Ellen Ginsberg? Thanks again, Hilary

        1. karen_morris_ | | #4

          *Hilary, you can order back issues of Threads by clicking on Threads magazine (at the bottom of each page), then click on the Taunton Store. At the right side of the screen, click on "back issues" under Threads magazine. On the next screen, you can choose the issues you want and place an order. Or you can try to find the back issues at your local library, if you want to read the articles before you purchase them. If you haven't seen Threads in awhile, you really should see what we've been up to for the past few years!To contact Ellen Ginsberg, you can either click on her name above to write her a personal email, or just click "reply" to answer her here in the discussion (that way, your answer will benefit everyone else who reads the discussion).

          1. Sarah_Kayla | | #5

            *You have several choices about how to do this. 1- you can butt the edges together & zigzag them using the three step zigzag & then embellish by hand2 - you can stitch the squares together and have the raw edges towards the right side the way only very expensive deliberately rough/peasanty work is presented - For those of you in New York think of the really expensive stuff at ABC carpet and homeBasically it is a matter of the look you want -Rough and hand madey or more finished & refined. For some reason, perhaps because so much of our world is machine made, the rough hand made looking stuff often sells for much more. It makes me laugh because our grandmothers would cringe at the rough finishes (Well, actually not my grandmother who was a hideous seamstress) but in our machine age the rough finishes look precious. sarah

          2. karen_morris_ | | #6

            *Or, there's another option--you can just lap the edges and sew with the multiple zigzag stitch. Or with a decorative embroidery stitch in a contrasting color. Or with a twin needle. Or by hand for that home-spun look Sarah's talking about. Really, there are lots of options. It's a good idea to goof around with some small pieces and see which seam/embellishment treatment you like.

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