Gone Crazy with Felted Sweaters! (Image-heavy) - Now w/ ice scraper tutorial

[xoxcitylovexox]

wow...your right...you did go completely crazy with that!! but they all came out wonderful! nice work!

[Mayviss]

I'm going to make a tote and was curious if I should turn the ends under and stitch (at the top of the bag)?  Is this stable enough to skip the step, or will it fray and ravel? 

[crazycatladymel]

If it's felted pretty well, then hemming isn't necessary. I ran a stitch all the way around every edge on the top (including the handles), and haven't had much trouble. My bag gets A LOT of abuse and hasn't frayed.

[Mayviss]

So, to do the handle, do you just fold the strip, right side out, and stitch near the edge, and that's it? 

I can't imagine being able to turn that inside out.

[crazycatladymel]

I'm trying to remember the steps.

1. Cut out neckline and sleeves, leaving straps.
2. Turn inside out, and turn side seams to center. (Straps should go from right to left on each side, not over the bag)
3. Sew across bottom
4. Sew gusset
5. Stitch all the way around top, around handles and then inside the handles and sides.
6. Fold top of strap in half and stitch flat for a few inches on either side of center.

[Mayviss]

I am really NOT trying to sound like a total moron here . . .  The side seams (of the sweater) will go down the front and back centers of the bag, and you sew new seams in the sweater for the sides of the bag?  Is that right?  For some reason, I cannot mentally grasp that!  Is that how it goes, though?

[knitchick2]

Thanks for all the info and inspiration!  This is great!

[crazycatladymel]

Mayviss: No worries. It's hard to grasp w/o a visual. I'm "drawing" some pics for you and will post in a couple of minutes.

[crazycatladymel]

Hope this helps. Apologies for the crap artwork.

[Mayviss]

AH HA!!!! The light bulb just came on!!!!   Thank you SO much!