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Friday, February 06, 2009

Mushroom Test

This is my first test mushroom for the now-closed mushroom swap hosted by the super-wonderful knitsonya.

When I started digging through my felt stash to find mushroomy felt, I stopped cold at this orange swirled felt.  It's *perfect* for mushroom tops.  It's *made* for mushroom tops.  I've had it forever.  I guess I was just saving it for the exact right project ... ha.

And that was the whole plan: "orange swirled mushroom tops."  The rest of the test mushroom was just trying this and that.  Mostly that.

There were many lessons learned as I was making this one, like:

  • You can't turn machine-sewn felt mushroom stems.

  • If you're going to sew gores into your mushroom tops, the bottom edges need to match up.

  • If you're going to sew gores with the sewing machine, you need to start at the point sew down to the edge and then sew backwards up to the point or the stitches are just going to come right out.

  • If you're going to sew gores in the cap, they should all point in the same general "center" direction.

  • Sewing the underneath of the cap to the interior (not edge) of the mushroom cap makes the cap edge flute out.

  • Once you stuff the cap the felt stem won't hold the mushroom up.  Not at all.

  • I want more mushroomy details.


I can't wait to try out some of my new ideas!

13 Comments leave a comment


Adrienne said ...
I love the felt that you are using, where did you get it? I already finished my mushrooms for the swap, but now I have a few new ideas and want to make more!
2/6/2009 4:15 PM

Salihan said ...
The mushrooms look unreal! (Or do I mean real?) Can't wait to see you try out your new ideas.
2/6/2009 5:32 PM

carrie said ...
oh man, reading this makes me think i need to get off my bum and test-run some mushrooms for the swap...consider myself motivated!
2/6/2009 7:40 PM

Craftpassion said ...
This is superb. Where do you get this kind of felt? i would love to try this next time, may be a poker dots felt will be lovely too.
2/6/2009 11:13 PM

angelina said ...
Love the mushrooms! They make me think of foresty foraging rather than gnomey places. Or fairy places. I want to eat them.
2/6/2009 11:49 PM

esther said ...
the felt really look so mushroomy! what a right eye for a right choice!! the last pic look edible to me too lol :)
2/7/2009 1:51 AM

nancymoo said ...
Your mushroom is great and that orange felt - wow - excellent stash find! I did my first one last weekend, and it came out looking like a smurf house! I am working on mushroom II right now! :D
2/7/2009 12:10 PM

Puglette said ...
your mushroom is so cute! i have crocheted some mushrooms and i push up on the bottom to help them stand up after the cap is on. i kind of give them a concave bottom...
i love the swirly felt, so cute!

your comments about the gores going in the same direction made me laugh, i made some pajama pants with pockets for my husband years ago. i forgot that the pockets needed to go in opposite directions so you can get both hands in them. i sewed them down in the same direction when i sewed down the waist band. but heloves them, he calls them his anyway pants...it doesn't matter which way is the front or back!
happy crafting!
puglette
:o)
2/7/2009 3:59 PM

Sara said ...
Yay! Thanks for the pics, the first I've seen blogged about for the swap! I'm making some that are needle-felted, a new craft for me, and learning lots too! I would love getting one of these in my return envelope!!
Sara in Salt Lake City
2/7/2009 8:48 PM

erin said ...
cuteness! i love the hand-stitching around the edge of the cap - it really sets it off. someone's gonna love it!
2/8/2009 11:27 AM

HildeC said ...
It's beautiful! I think the felt you have used are perfect both for the top and the stem :-)
2/8/2009 4:02 PM

ambika said ...
This is *so* awesome. I've seen so many fabric/felt mushrooms (I think Etsy even has a woodland category given their popularity) but this is honestly the first one I really liked. I think it's the shape you've used with the sloping top...
2/9/2009 11:34 AM
 
val said ...
very cute.......I am still 'thinking' about the mushies I am making....too many ideas in my head, yikes!
2/12/2009 1:24 PM

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