Burning crafting question

[colliemommie]

I have a wool sweater I want to make into a laptop bag. So, do I cut it apart, use yarn to sew the pieces together, and then felt it, or do I felt first, then sew?

The downside of felting last is that there's no way to 100% guarantee the finished size. It might not be a laptop bag. But stitching with wool yarn and then felting means it will meld together and be pretty darn untearable.

The downside of felting first is having to sew felt.

Comments

[affreca.livejournal.com]

I'd sew, the felt. And just keep checking size during the felting process.

Of course, if you sew second, you could do neat decorative stitching...

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

You were one of the two ljers I was really hoping would weigh in. I think I will sew, then felt. I'm worried about it being too weak in the seams otherwise...people do tend to stuff bags like that as much as possible.

[skittish-derby.livejournal.com]

felt a swatch of the sleeve. do careful before and after measurements, then you can probably safely cut and sew and felt according to the swatch.

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

And if all else fails, a darling clutch!

Thank you, I was really hoping to get your opinion.

[skittish-derby.livejournal.com]

maybe a coin pouch. :D Good luck! Hope it works out!

[dreamweaver523.livejournal.com]

I have no clue...I have never sewn anything, oh wait, I did make an apron and a stuffed frog in 7th grade and a pair of jeans in 10th grade. Those jeans man...oh my.

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

Moral support always appreciated! I miss chatting with you! :-(

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Alas, I've never felted anything intentionally. It sounds like a great idea, though.

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

It will either be a fabulous bag, or a great learning experience. This is as risky as my behavior gets, with 3 little kids at home.

[northernwalker]

I believe that my friends who felt things sew first, felt second.

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

I think that's pretty typical. And I have decided to prioritize structural integrity over getting the exact size I want and do the same.