Monday, January 5, 2009

Plaid yardage now Christmas stockings!

I've cleaned up my a bit of my woven stash and it was a fun four day project, it took a bit longer than anticipated, but here is my timeline.
Day 1 – felting the yardage and letting it dry
Day 2 – making the pattern templates
Day 3 – cutting out the pattern pieces and stitching the stockings
Day 4 – stuffing the stockings, inserting the lining and adding the embellishments using only what we had on hand.
I wanted these stockings to be extra large; we have 17 foot ceilings in our living room and a wee stocking would be lost on that vast expanse of wall, so I super sized and changed up the pattern. The final result is a stocking about 2 feet long and 14" wide.
This is mine, I used the twill plaid for the body of the stocking and burgundy crushed velvet for the shoe, the cuff and the back of the stocking. I finished it off by ruching the cuff, dotting it with pearls randomly and adding a beaded fringe and a rosette. I used braiding for the laces and pearls for buttons. I put in a bit of stuffing to round out the shoe before I put the lining in.

I think that the back of the stocking is just as pretty with its’ velvet rosette with pearls nestled inside.
This stocking is for my husband using the plain weave plaid and sage green crushed velvet. It was a challenge to make it both masculine and pretty and I hope I’ve succeeded. I used some brass grape leaves on velvet rosettes that didn't photograph well, but look great, buttons filled with beads and some fringe topped with gold ribbon.

This stocking is for my adult son and again we were challenged to make it masculine, without being plain. Plain weave plaid, crushed velvet and a curled toe are the main features. My daughter added silver leaves at the cuff and for buttons when she decorated this one. I have a few green tassels to add to this one to add a bit more umph!
This one is for my adult daughter and she was on hand and decorated it herself. Twill plaid for the body with crushed velvet for the curled toe boot and cuff. The cuff has a beaded fringe and a diamond studded rosette. She outlined the shoe heel with diamond studs and popped a few more on her cuff. This stocking really shines and unfortunately my crappy photographic skills killed it!
I've found myself the proud owner of 3 extra copies of "Discover the world of weaving looms" DVDs by Louet. These are a fantastic resouce for the Louet owner as they explain and show how to warp a Louet loom, so please send me an email and I'll pop it in the mail for you.
Seems things remain the same.....

Thought for the day....... "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance" ------------- Cicero - 55 BC

6 comments:

Sunrise Lodge Fiber Studio said...

Very awesome stockings!!! You should think about a full line of those bad boys;) I love them!!! I am looking to purchase Louet Spring to replace my 60" Leclerc...I saw the shed made by the Megado and decided that I MUST have a Louet. I would love to purchase one of your dvd's from you. :)

Susan said...

I love the stockings! They are *fantastic*. Beautifully made and embellished, each one unique and literally a Christmas heirloom. So why does 'dear daughters' face the opposite way? :)

Cicero! That man was quite quotable on many subjects. You are quite right that as much as times change, it all remains the same!

Lynnette said...

Ok Susan you caught me out. I folded the scrap of handwoven together and cut once....yup mirror image! So I have the left facing and darling daughter has the right....there is one in every family going the wrong way it seems.

Susan said...

I thought she was just making 'a statement'. I was the one in my family always going the other way so can relate.

The socks are beautifully sewn and right down the small details too.
Your usual class act my dear!

:) Susan

Deanna said...

Very cool stocking!!

I'd love to buy one of your DVD's, too. I have two Louet looms, and have been thinking about buying one of those DVDs, but wanted to wait until after the holidays.

Bruce said...

What fantastic stockings!! These would go a long way to bring the magic into Christmas morning in any home! Way to go...they're beautiful. You're very talented.