What are you working on now?

[Celticflower]

For the Waldorf dolls, I need clean and carded wool. Imagine my dismay. I don't know what carded wool IS--much less where to find it.

Check at www.Patternworks.com under felting>yarns>wool roving

 

[Moms4Christ]

I'm listing these links to fabric outlets in case anybody is interested.

http://www.trimfabric.com/discount-fabrics-1.html

This one has awesome prices but a $200 minimum
http://www.pafabric.com/index.shtml

This one has some 1.99/yd and some 3/yd fabrics, worth a look.
http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/

http://www.marshalldrygoods.com/index.htm

http://www.syfabrics.com/mojocart/dispcategory.cfm?cat_id=84

 

[jenptcfan]

Check at www.Patternworks.com under felting>yarns>wool roving

Thanks! That's a neat site.

OK, here's my next question...is roving the same thing as wool stuffing? I think roving can be spun into yarn or used when felting (which is a really cool craft that I'd love to learn one day). Just wondering if it can be used as stuffing or if there's a more cost effective way of using wool for stuffing.

 

[Celticflower]

Thanks! That's a neat site.

OK, here's my next question...is roving the same thing as wool stuffing? I think roving can be spun into yarn or used when felting (which is a really cool craft that I'd love to learn one day). Just wondering if it can be used as stuffing or if there's a more cost effective way of using wool for stuffing.

You could use it for stuffing I guess, but I prefer the poly stuffing you can buy really cheap in the big bags -- it is washable. With wool stuffing I'd be afraid of it felting or matting if it was washed.

 

[jenptcfan]

You could use it for stuffing I guess, but I prefer the poly stuffing you can buy really cheap in the big bags -- it is washable. With wool stuffing I'd be afraid of it felting or matting if it was washed.

It just seems like with these dolls, people prefer all natural materials. Wool seems to be the stuffing of choice. I've been trying to use cotton, but it's in sheets and I really want the fluffy stuff.

 

[Celticflower]

It just seems like with these dolls, people prefer all natural materials. Wool seems to be the stuffing of choice. I've been trying to use cotton, but it's in sheets and I really want the fluffy stuff.

Hmmmm...... in order to use wool at an affordable price you may have to hunt up a local shepherd, buy the fleece and card it yourself. Kinda labor intensive tho'.

I am serious about finding a local sheep breeder. They may be able to supply what you need at a better price, esp if they have some fleece that is not suitable for spinning or have roving that they sell without the middle man.

I've also been thinking about the cotton -- could you possibly use a cotton yarn, split the plys and loosely ball it to achieve the fluff you want?

 

[JulySheMustFly]

Hmmmm...... in order to use wool at an affordable price you may have to hunt up a local shepherd, buy the fleece and card it yourself. Kinda labor intensive tho'.

I am serious about finding a local sheep breeder. They may be able to supply what you need at a better price, esp if they have some fleece that is not suitable for spinning or have roving that they sell without the middle man.

The flea market and the farmers market by me each has a wool stand. The woman often sits and spins in her booth.

BTW, I made my first ETSY sale this weekend. I'm so excited!

Excited for you. I've been too busy with the spring wardrobe for my kids to get anything made for etsy yet. I did turn my MIL onto it.

I might try making some of the rice packs. How long do they stay warm/cool each time you use them? Sounds like a good way to use up some of my smaller scraps.

I don't know. My kids tend to run off with them before they loose their heat or cold and I find them on their bed or table hours later. I think my dad said his stays warm for about 30 mintues or so. Cold seems to last longer.

I finished another dress today for my 3yo. I should be working on one for my 6 yo but I'm procrastinating on the computer.

 

[jenptcfan]

Hmmmm...... in order to use wool at an affordable price you may have to hunt up a local shepherd, buy the fleece and card it yourself. Kinda labor intensive tho'.

I am serious about finding a local sheep breeder. They may be able to supply what you need at a better price, esp if they have some fleece that is not suitable for spinning or have roving that they sell without the middle man.

I've also been thinking about the cotton -- could you possibly use a cotton yarn, split the plys and loosely ball it to achieve the fluff you want?

That would be cool, but I'd have no idea how to find a local sheep farmer.

I did see some roving at Hobby Lobby today, but I don't think that's what I'm looking for to use as stuffing.

I'll keep thinking about it. Maybe I'll be able to find more variety in Little Rock.

 

[scraparcs]

BTW, I made my first ETSY sale this weekend. I'm so excited!

Congrats! I need to do a real launch on my store someday.

 

[jenptcfan]

Last night I made a flax seed filled hot/cold pack. (I was inspired by Julyshemustfly's rice packs). I made this particular one out of some fleece, but the more I read about materials, the more I hear that only 100% cotton fabrics should be microwaved. I think that the next ones I make will be made out of 100% cotton and I'll just make little removable pillowcases for them out of fleece (what is fleece made out of, anyway?).

The flax seems to hold heat really well--they stay warm for about 45 minutes--and it's sold in bulk at my local health market. $1.35/lb.

 

[JulySheMustFly]

Nice, my in-laws have a flax pack. That is what inspired me. I personally don't like the smell of flax but that's me.

The reason you shouldn't microwave fleece is that fleece is synthetic fiber. If I remember right it is a polyester which means it will melt at high temps. That is why if you buy fleece at the fabric store they will all say "Not intended for children's sleepwear."

 

[jenptcfan]

Hancock's is having a big warehouse sale today (I just happened upon it), so I picked up a bunch of 100% cotton fabrics.

Flax does have a distinctive smell. I'm used to it though. My mom has a flax bag that she's been using for years.

 

[immersedingrace]

As I'm going on vacation next week, I'm working on this shoulder bag: http://crochetme.com/two-traveling-bags

in a cream color. Hopefully I'll finish it. I think I'm going to change it up a bit...maybe do a few rows of SC then a row of DC instead of all SC.

I'm also working on this http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/cpl-bafg.html baby blanket in pink for another friend who's due in a few months. Next month or April.

 

[NostalgicGranny]

I love the hoodie! Are you doing the bag for your trip?

 

[immersedingrace]

I love the hoodie! Are you doing the bag for your trip?

That's the plan but hubby will be home for the next couple of days and he always wants to put me to work on some other project so we'll see.

 

[NostalgicGranny]

My hubby is just the opposite. He always wants me to set it down for a while. That's why I do most of my work while he is at work.

 

[jenptcfan]

I bought so much fabric yesterday. I think my previous book obsession is being replaced by a sewing obsession. The Hancock's sale is on through today and even the notions are 50% off--just in case anyone is looking for some bargains.

I'll have to take a picture of my flax bag and the pillowcase I made for it. I'm so pleased with how it turned out--especially the pillowcase since I've never made anything like that before. Not too bad for my first try.

 

[jenptcfan]

PS--Does anyone use a rotary cutter? I'm thinking of buying one today while it's 1/2 off.

 

[JulySheMustFly]

Ooh, I'd love a rotary cutter but for now my scissors will have to do. Can't wait to see the pics of your flax bag. Hopefully I'll have 5 dresses finished this week the I can move on to easter gifts. I'm making wands for the kid's baskets.

 

[immersedingrace]

My hubby is just the opposite. He always wants me to set it down for a while. That's why I do most of my work while he is at work.

Hubby's other projects include things like deep cleaning bedroom's/closets or finishing up the kitchen that is almost complete....today his "project" was our taxes. My part was typing in my W2 & charity info....why I was needed for that when my taxes are so UNcomplicated I'll never know