The Junk

old candlestick

The Jewel

Elevated Felt Pincusion!

Supplies

• 12” tall candlestick – (mine was about 4.5” diameter for pillar candles)
• One men’s large sweater – felted. (You may need additional felted yardage to give you the pincushion size that you are after)
• 2 – 2.5oz roving – color doesn’t matter as it will be covered up
• Large felting needle
• Paper for tracing pattern
• Decorative pins (mine came from the scrapbook store)
• Carpet/button thread
• Tapestry needle
• Decorative ribbons

Instructions

1. With roving and a felting needle, create a half ball shape a little wider than the diameter of the candlestick. Include a little felted roving around the edge of the half ball so it sits evenly on the top of the candlestick. Set on top of candlestick, glue on if desired.
2. Cut sweater apart at the seams. I cut an 18/19 inch circle (the largest I could get) from the back, a 16 -17” circle form the front, a 15 – 16” circle form one of the sleeves and a 14 – 15” circle from the other sleeve.
3. Layer the three smaller circles of sweater evenly on top of candlestick ending with the larger size.
4. With your tapestry needle and double thickness of carpet thread sew a running stitch around the circle about 2 inches away from the cut edge. Note – as the sweater was felted, I didn’t have to worry about any raveling of stitches. If you wish, you can add a decorative edge stitch or lace at this time.
5. Place largest sweater circle on top of candle stick and gather carpet thread. Cinch it tight then tie off.
6. Add decorative ribbon to cover gathering stitches, tie bow.

NOTE: for more information on how to needle felt, check out C&T books A Touch of Felt and Fast, Fun and Easy^® Needle Felting, both by Lynne Farris.

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Next month’s junk: vintage skirt hem marker

What will Sue 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.

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3. Junk to Jewel: Messenger Bag to Reusable Gift Wrap
4. Junk to Jewel: Heirloom tomato pincushions
5. Junk to Jewel: Vintage Skirt Hem Marker to Inspiration Display