PENNY RUG PILLOW

subtitled:

441 FRENCH KNOTS LATER -----

I like to have some handwork to sew on in the evenings while we watch TV.  After all, we can't miss 2 hours each week of Antiques Roadshow, many reruns of NCIS, innumerable episodes of American Pickers, plus the unending sports programs.  And how can I forget Downton Abbey; the only night I control the remote!

This has been my project since the first of the year.  

I like something repetitive as my creative mojo has died by evening; and I also like something that gives me a few week's work without switching gears.

You wouldn't think that an 18-inch pillow would take two months --- but, it did!

Time for a new project. 
It's almost the TV season for one million baseball games!!!!

I'm joining the following:
Common Ground for Share Your Style Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays

SUZANI MEETS PENNY RUG

I always like to have a hand-sewing project to work on.  I call it my 'busy work' -- my grandmother called hers 'fancy work'.  Usually my project is a patchwork quilt, but I also enjoy applique and embroidery plus a rare knitting project.

Years ago, I gave up using existing patterns.  I find it more fun and challenging to just make things up as I go.

Lately, I've been exploring Suzani textiles, a central-Asian ethnic embroidery.  I love the geometrics of Suzani, but knew I would be in over my head to just embroider such an intricate design.

A SUZANI TEXTILE FROM GOOGLE IMAGES

 So, I decided to combine a loose interpretation of Suzani designs and embroidery with the techniques (applique) and materials (wool) used in penny rugs as my inspiration for a pillow top.

A PREVIOUS PENNY RUG PROJECT

I was about half-way done, and didn't like it; so had to refocus and salvage some of the completed parts.

FIRST ATTEMPT

This is what I ended up doing.

Part of the challenge was just using the fabrics I had on hand.  They were bits and pieces of wool from garments I have found at thrift stores.  The navy blue background fabric was a Pendleton skirt and the pillow flange was a Pendleton man's jacket.  Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, and others are also represented in the fabrics.

My project was still labor intensive with the embroidery, so it kept me 'busy' for quite awhile even though the pillow is only 14" square.

Relying on just inspiration and imagination can be tricky.  Sometimes you end up with something unique and fabulous -- other times it's not so great!  

The verdict is still out on this project.

I'm joining the following parties.  Please check them out for a plethora of inspiration.
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

PENNY RUGS

For years, I've been interested in Penny Rugs.  Their origin dates back to the Civil War era, when homemakers used wool scraps from old clothing, etc. to create mats or rugs.  Using coins as templates, they created circles and stitched them with a blanket stitch to a background fabric.  They weren't necessarily made as floor rugs, but more often decor coverings for beds, tables, and mantels. 

Recently, inspired by the blog site of Ashton Publications, I decided to try my hand at making a penny rug since it appears I will never find an antique one in my price range. 



Wool fabric is very expensive, so the search began to find affordable materials.  Since this is raw-edge applique, the wool needs to be felted so that it doesn't ravel.  The options are:  Wool felt (different from craft felt) which sells for about $18 a yard in a limited color selection at Jo-Ann Fabric.  I found my wool felt at Ruth's Stitchery in Colorado Springs in a bunch of yummy colors.  Another option is

wool that has been over-dyed and felted and is available on Etsy, and also at some quilt stores.  This is expensive at about $3.00 for a piece 5" square; but, oh, it is so luscious and I can't resist it.

A third option is to purchase new wool fabric at approximately $30 and up for a yard.  Then, it is necessary to felt the wool yourself by washing it in very hot water and drying it in a hot dryer.

And finally, another option is to find 100% wool garments at the thrift stores; deconstruct them and felt them yourself.

I used wool from all of the above sources so that I could have a variety of colors, textures and patterns.

This was a fun project; and was easy to accomplish using a #22 chenille needle and #5 Perle cotton for the embroidery, taking a couple of weeks working in the evenings.

This is a small piece measuring just 12" x 20".

Now, I'm thinking about another project using wool and embroidery; but not necessarily circular shapes.  We'll see!!!

I'm joining the following blog parties this week.  Please check them out for lots of inspiration.

Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesdays
Jann Olson for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special