Great Gift Ideas: Playing with Felt

My mother-in-law was visiting this past weekend and she gave me an early birthday present.  This beautiful felted flower pin now has a permanent home on my winter coat. Isn't it lovely? (Check out her other fabulous creations here.)

She created this flower out of an old cashmere sweater - recycling at its best!

And it just so happens I ruined one of my favorite wool sweaters last week in our new washer - which offered a perfect opportunity to continue my One Small Change efforts and make art using materials I already have.

Here's what you need to make your own 

Recycled Sweater Felted Flower Pin:

*wool or cashmere sweaters (try thrift stores)

*fabric scissors

*needle and thread

*pin to sew on back

First, wash your wool sweaters on hot cycle in your washing machine.  Choose a higher agitation cycle if possible and add a small amount of detergent.  If you are only washing a few sweaters you might want to add some towels or an old pair of jeans to help balance the load.  The heat mixed with the agitation will shrink the fibers causing them to felt together.  

Cut the sleeves off and use them for this project.  Reserve the remainder of the sweater for other projects.  (Here are a few other ideas.)

Make a pattern using fabric or paper.  You'll draw three or four separate peanut shapes, each one a little smaller than the next.  In this flower, the largest "peanut" is roughly 3 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches.  No need to have exact measurements, just determine how big you want your flower and go from there.

Cut three or four peanut shapes for the petals.  I used three.

Stack one on top of the other, starting with the largest one first.

Gather from behind and stitch all of the petals together.  Feel free to fold and curve the petals until you get the look you like.  Stitch together using a needle and thread.

Cut out a smaller peanut size, and then cut it in half length-wise.  

Starting at one end, roll the piece to create the center of the flower.  Stitch it together, then stitch it to the flower.

Cut out three leaf shapes from another color and stitch them to the back of the flower.

Add the pin and attach to your favorite coat, sweater, purse, scarf or hat!

These flowers will make great simple holiday gifts this year and offer you a fabulous way to recycle, while bringing new life to something old and presumably "ruined!"

For more fun with felt, check out my newest piece in the winter edition of Rhythm of the Home and learn how to make felted snow people.

Your Personal Reflection:  In what ways can you simplify your gift giving this year?