Stitching vessels is a pretty satisfying and addictive process. Adding wool to the mix takes it next level. It surprised me. The form is so perfect. The edge trim is a pretty heavy cotton that gives even more structure. I used scrap from menswear mostly, pants, suit jackets etc.
There is also a lot of straight stitching through everything after it was assembled. I like the way it looks and it helps compress the layers of wool together.
I like it so much I took way too many pictures and I’m pulling out the big box of wool scraps to make more. I think this will be a wool stitched vessel winter for me. #thriftysewingchallenge
I’m also making little owls- this guy is made from a suit jacket and thrifted curtains. He’s the smallest from the little owls sewing pattern. This little fellow took about 2 hours to make. I did leave off one pattern piece because I liked his white breast showing. Pro tip – I put three nickels in his bottom when stuffing to help him stand on his own.
I’ll use the same wool for a larger owl. I love an owl with a bold head to toe look like this houndstooth guy (dastardly owl sewing pattern).
sneak peek
Check out some new things coming to the shop soon. Including the 2026 Calendar! So excited to offer it in a more timely fashion this year. I’m also hoping to have enough ( but not too many – it’s expensive to produce) It will be available for pre-order soon and they will start shipping before November.
There are also some new cards and little items including journal stickers. I’ll let you know when it’s all listed in the shop.
And I’m looking forward to little bramble pots from the kiln soon. More about those and last week’s Squam Art Retreat in the next post.
I always enjoy your newsletter and getting a glimpse of your amazing creations. I am inspired by you.
Thanks so much Dianne – that’s great to hear! I love newsletter day.
I love the wool vessel! I have purchased the stitched vessel pattern and made some fun ones. Now I’m excited to do them with wool after a trip to the thrift shop.
My community sewing room just received a bag full of wool samples. Now I’m eager to put them to good use. You have inspired me to make woolen vessels!
Goodness, I just love your artworks! So happy to be receiving your newsletter!!!
I have a question about using men’s suits as a source for wool fabric. I think I read on one of your posts that you wash the suit jackets in the washing machine. Do you deconstruct them first? There is a lot of hidden support and shaping in the jackets and I’m thinking it could affect how the suit material reacts to being washed…and maybe those support fibers could be used elsewhere. Do you wash in hot water and dry in a hot dryer in order to “felt” them? My husband has a beautiful suit jacket that has a couple of tiny holes in them from bugs I recently noticed and I’ve been eyeing it as a source of beautiful fabric. It’s sad, really, because it is such a beautifully made jacket but it is now unwearable so maybe giving it another purpose will help ease the pain of its demise.
Love the wool vessel! I made one using heavy Japanese yarn dyed cotton and love it.