Felted Sweater Throw Update
In quilting blogs I've read about the importance of checking your color combinations by taking a picture. I am so glad I did! The throw definitely needed more orange. I thought I didn't have any pieces big enough so I decided to sew some orange scraps together. Instead I was able to cut two very narrow strips. I added those, mixed it up some more and was ready to pin it all together.
Overlapping the edges 1/2 inch in what Betz White describes in her book, Warm Fuzzies, in a "shingle" technique took some time. (The pieces are all lapped in one direction and then reversed for the next strip. When sewing the strips together, they are lapped in the same direction.) Being precise was important so I couldn't eyeball it as I usually do.
Using my 1/4 inch foot, I sewed the pieces together. This left a 1/4 seam allowance on both sides of the throw.
I've been studying on this throw for a long time and have read at least three books on recycling sweaters. One book insisted that stabilizer is necessary for sewing the sweaters together without stretching them out of shape. I have to admit there is a little bit a waviness to some of the seams, but I just didn't want to go the expense (hence the thrifty in Oh Sew Thrifty) or to the trouble to remove the stabilizer later. I think it looks fine.
Next I will clip my threads, even up the edges and decide how to embellish it. This is for my 17 year old son, so nothing fancy. The throw in Warm Fuzzies has ribbed edging on the ends only. (It mimics fringe.) Or maybe a blanket stitch all the way around the edge instead? And/or a monogram since I hope he will be taking it to college someday?
Any suggestions?
