The felting process for me is like a magic trick.  I can put a XXL 100% wool sweater along with a towel and a little soap in the washing machine and presto chango – out comes a thick fuzzy fabric that can be used to make all sorts of wonderful treasures.

The Junk

pile of old sweaters

It all started when I wanted to make a sewing related friendship gift for a friend that just made her first quilt. She did such a great job I wanted to encourage her to keep sewing. I  thought she deserved a ribbon for all her hard work and a celebration of her accomplishment was in order.

With my hand crank die-cut machine, I cut out  3 scalloped circles a 4 1/2 inch green a 3 1/4 inch of  grey and a 1 3/4 in scalloped circle of red to sew in the center. With a hammer and nail, I made a couple of holes in a vintage aluminum thimble so I would easily be able to attach the thimble to the felt. Before I actually attached the thimble to the felt, I threaded a single piece of waxed linen thread through the nail holes beginning and ending on the inside of the thimble.

To make it pretty and personal, I tied a mini iron charm to one end and some old pearl buttons to the other. Then I attached the thimble to the smaller circle of felted wool with a double strand of thread. I attached the red circle to the grey circle with pearl cotton and used an embroidery stitch I liked. I found a piece of 1 1/2 inch vintage grosgrain that I used for my accent ribbon. Each tail is about 3 inches long, with the ends trimmed at an angle that’s pleasing to the eye. I tacked the ribbons in place on my green wool circle.

I used black snaps to embellish the grey wool circle, sewn in place about every half inch. Then I joined the grey to the green circle using black pearle cotton stitching in between the snaps through booth thicknesses of wool. I made a bow using about 10 inches of ruler ribbon, then I stitched it directly onto the wool. I added a  pin back on the back side of the green wool circle and…it was all ready to go!

The Jewel

I made mine as a “quilt-well-done” medal, but you could change up the ribbons and charms to make it fit your event, your favorite hat or lapel, a Christmas tree or as just a fun piece of eye-candy for your bulletin board. Here are a few other design ideas…click the images below to get a better view of them.

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Next month’s junk: old candlestick

What will she make out of that?

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Junk to Jewel is a series where, once a month, C&T author and editorial team member Sue Astroth chronicles her upcycling adventures with thrift store finds.

Related posts:

1. Junk to Jewel: Old Candlestick to Elevated Felted Pincushion
2. Junk to Jewel: Heirloom tomato pincushions
3. Junk to Jewel: Gift Basket
4. Junk to Jewel: Messenger Bag to Reusable Gift Wrap
5. Junk to Jewel: Vintage Skirt Hem Marker to Inspiration Display