Tucked in a corner at the Chatham Real Food Market Co-op you will find a small sampling of my woolen handwork. These items are made in those moments between working on the banner and taking care of my family and self.
An example is pictured below: a pair of fulled (felted) thick woolen mittens, lined with luscious, soft, purple lambswool from another sweater. The asymmetrical designs on the mittens are needle-felted. Now if we only had some snow…..
Over the holidays, I worked (as time allowed) on dolls for my granddaughters.
Much of the sewing was done by hand, which meant I could do it from bed. In addition to the clothing you see here, I created miniature sweaters for these two from re-purposed felted lambswool and cashmere sweaters.
The package is still on its way to them, a bit late.
Now I can return to my beloved banner project.
A tree, leaves, spirals, fruit, human hands – this is a detail/close-up photo of a banner I’m working on for a church. After it’s been presented (November) I’ll be able to post a photo of the entire banner.
This has been in process since May. It makes my heart sing to work with colors I love and symbols that are important to me.
Made of cotton fabrics via applique´.
These rabbits were adapted from a design by Helen Philipps, in her book Simple Sewn Gifts. She used linen, cotton, embroidery floss and polyester stuffing; I used lambswool and cashmere felted sweaters, wool stuffing, needle-felted features, and I added tails (one per rabbit).
The girls discovered their dollies would fit in the rabbits’ straps: Voila! Bunny-carriers!
While working on a tunic, the Temple of the Cosmos, and planning for a chasuble and preaching stole, I have been sneaking moments here and there to work on a book I’m creating.
Above is the beginning of the “Earth” page. It is made from a repurposed children’s board book, assembled with a collage of maps, a salvaged library pocket, paper napkins, ink-jet images, stamps (rubber and postage), and more. The page is not done yet, so watch for another post - I cannot guarantee when that day will come. It’s a busy time in the studio!
And for fun:
This gallery contains 6 photos.
Lambswool and cashmere felted and semi-felted sweaters, stitched and decorated entirely by hand, a labor of love for a child or grandchild. This playful and colorful lunchbox helps keep contents warm or cold. There is a container for a stainless … Continue reading
Detail from a purple cotton stole, with a spiral flame design in gold lamé. This design can be created in whatever color scheme you wish.
Heart Chalice Spiral Flame on a purple cotton stole
This morning’s view out the studio windows:
A studio companion, handmade from felted woolen sweaters:
If you are in the vicinity of Columbia County, NY, and wish to visit my studio, email kjh@sanctuarywithoutwalls.com to set up an appointment.
