Folk Art Pillows Collection #3

The new addition to the Folk Art Pillows Collection, Starry Owl & Carrot Hunting Rabbit, is designed as a one-of-a-kind, handmade pillow. The front side of the pillows is created with a wet felting technique. 

I am now learning and using the wet felting method of making fabric. Design possibilities are endless when combining knitting, hand-stitching, and crochet with needle felting for added details, creating creative and durable pillows. 

These two pillows in the series found their resting places at my sisters' homes as gifts.

Pussy Galore pillow shares the retro red chair with the new Starry Owl pillow.
The pastel poppy painting is also a gift to my sister Lori!

Wet felting is an ancient practice embraced by cultures to create tents called Yurts, clothing, rugs, etc., and with 100% wool, the fabrics are durable and water-resistant, also creating warmth and protection from the elements.

Every time I embark on a pillow design, I start with a rough idea. However, the end result always surprises me. I enjoy going with the flow, and it's always a delight to see another cozy pillow with its own unique character come to life.

Using a variety of roving wool colors, I create the felted fabric. Once dried, I can cut it into the shapes of the tree and the owl. Embroidery stitches are later added to the felted shapes to create details and textures.

Each designer pillow receives its unique BLING, which communicates a story and adds character. With Starry Owl, it had to be stars! I found an easy-to-follow YouTube video by B. Hooked Crochet on how to make stars, and then I crocheted a blue border to attach them to the outside edge of the pillow.

In 2017, I had the pleasure of visiting Prince Edward Island and stopping into a wool maker's shop, Fleece & Harmony. It was a wonderful experience to connect with the owners and makers of the wool, and even catch a glimpse of the sheep that generously provide their coats for us knitters. The wool I brought back from this trip carries a personal touch and a sense of connection to the source.

I can describe the textures of their wool as a 'Retro Feel', reflecting the old-fashioned wools of time past that had an edge of scratchiness to them. I like this texture for the pillows as it has durability, and the dyes are colored with an unevenness that gives it a fashionable retro look. 

The next pillow I created was shaped like a rabbit. We have rabbits in our neighborhood, and I find it amusing how they can hide in plain sight right in front of our two dogs. The rabbit can be seen sitting very still among my dead daisies, hoping not to be discovered by Ziggy, a 13-pound terrier. But a twitch of the rabbit's whiskers is to be found, and the chase is on. Ziggy seems pretty proud of himself when the rabbit hops off into the woods, coming back home for the earned snack of the day. This playful interaction inspired me to create the Carrot Hunting Rabbit pillow.

Pillow BARK from the Felted Critter Gang & the new Carrot Hunting Rabbit.
Pillow gift to sister Colleen, where they sit to be admired!

I take my wet-felted appliques and add needle-felting details while using hand stitches to attach the applique to the pillow cover, which is made from a larger piece of wet-felted fabric. I found an old button saved, and it was the perfect pink for the rabbit's eye. The tail was created from scraps of yarn, and the pom-poms were made with a fork, so they were small and tight.

I blanket-stitched the edges of the pillow covers together and added one row of crochet to finish the join. 

Every rabbit loves its carrots, so I decided to hide the carrots off to the sides of the pillow. What fun I had crocheting the carrots.

Much like the Starry Owl pillow, I used the same wool for the backside of the pillow, but varied the strip. Such brilliant colors, and notice the carrots hiding off to the side of the pillow! The pillow was stuffed tightly, and yet it is also soft and huggable.

There is no whipping up these designer pillows, as it can take up to a month to create one, and none of them come from patterns; instead, they are designed uniquely.  

I look forward to learning more techniques and designs with the medium of wool.

Until next time, cuddle your pillows! Minaz

To read more about my previous designer, Folk Art pillows:

http://www.artgirlgallery.com/2017/10/folk-art-pillow-collection.html

http://www.artgirlgallery.com/2017/07/folk-art-pillows-collection.html

http://www.artgirlgallery.com/2015/12/felted-handmade-pillows.html