Showing posts with label valentine exchange. Show all posts
Showing posts with label valentine exchange. Show all posts

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Free People's Valentine Exchange


IvyS made this incredible bag for me, and I sent her the upcycled lambswool and wool scarf. We both took part in Free People's Valentine Craft Swap. Have a look-see at the Flickr pool, where everyone who participated can post what they made and sent. Free People matched us up, we exchanged a few emails about our tastes and preferences, and then hand made something just for her (or him).
I'm absolutely not a professional seamstress but I've been very intrigued by upcycled wearables, and thought I might be able to manage a scarf. My partner, Ivy, is a student in Alaska, and it seemed like something appropriate. It was fun to think outside of clay for a change!
I felted the sweaters first by washing them in hot water. It's weird to shrink something on purpose... but I knew exactly how to do it because I've done it as an oops before. Once felted, the edges won't unravel, so I just pieced it together, and then stitched a loose zigzag around the edge. To make it more Valentiney, I appliqued 2 hearts on the ends. One of the hearts has a bit of red running through it, so this was my ode to the day's color scheme. What can I say? I love neutrals, and have never skied flashing red flag sweaters, although maybe I should, since I'm not a pro skier by any stretch.
The Exchange site has some wonderful postings. If you want to participate next year, sign up on the FP blog in Jan. There is also a holiday exchange in Dec.