As announced in this column on August 13, every Monday will provide readers of the San Francisco Recycling Examiner's articles with a tutorial on how to repurpose, reuse, or recycle one item into a completely different and usable item. This Monday is a tutorial on how to take felted wool and turn it into primitive Christmas bird ornaments. (Christmas is only 4 months and 2 days away!)
Materials
*felted lightweight wool in any color/print
*lightweight cardboard (cereal box, etc.)
*newspaper for pattern
*pencil
*fabric glue
*buttons
*embroidery floss
*ribbon, optional
*jingle bells, optional
Steps (watch slideshow)
1. freehand a bird design in desired size and shape onto newspaper and cut out
2. pin cut out design on double thickness of felted wool and cut out
3. after both pieces are cut out, begin stitching desired features, such as tail and wing definition, onto the bird using 3 strands of embroidery floss
4. cut a smaller version of the bird from cereal-box-type cardboard and then use fabric glue to adhere the cardboard to one of the felt pieces and wait for it to dry before sewing button eyes on
5. use six strands of embroidery floss or ribbon to make the hanging loop and attach the jingle bell. use a blanket stitch to put the two felt pieces together
These make great Christmas ornaments or gift tags and are inexpensive and easy to make. The materials are simple to acquire and are repurposed, so they stay out of the landfill. These cute birds just might become a family heirloom.
Where to find wool, felted or not, if the closet is empty? Try one of these Salvation Army thrift stores located in northern California.
510 High St.
Auburn, CA
Tel: (530) 823-3546
700 Broadway
Chico, CA
Tel: (530) 342-2192
601 Webster St.
Oakland, CA
Tel: (510) 451-4514
350 Fourth St.
San Rafael, CA
Tel: (415) 454-7201
1020 3rd St.
Santa Rosa, CA
Tel: (707) 578-3924
1850 Fremont Blvd
Seaside, CA
Tel: (831) 394-6507
1079 S Green Valley Rd
Watsonville, CA
Tel: (831) 724-1692
Comments
This is a great idea for knitters and crocheters who have wool yarn stashes. You can knit or crochet your own piece of felted wool. Just be sure to keep in mind your knitting/crocheted piece must be bigger than the felted measurements. The felting process will shrink the size of your piece. Hope that makes sense. I'm not ready for Christmas yet but thanks for the idea anyway.
This is such a great idea, thanks for sharing and bringing back an old method that is fun and easy.
Winona Cooking Examiner
Winona Home and Living Examiner
So easy to make and they could even be used as unique gift tags that will surely impress all gift recipients.
told me that these are very cute and easy to make!
Could it be the same birdie that told me to get sewing?
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