First Rug Hooking Finished

The border I chose for my rug is a very simple one. The first row is a pinkish tone from my very own hand dyed wool. The second row is one of the "as is" wools I used in the rug and the rest is mainly solid black with hints of 3 different tones used in the background of the rug.  I chose to go simple because I felt everything else I thought of was very distracting to the center of the rug.

One of the things I changed in the original hooking was that I added some of my hand dyed green to the centers of the leaves. I felt there needed to be more contrast and there needed to be a darker green in there. A lesson I learned from this is that the rug is viewed from at least 5 feet away so the colors really need to show up at a distance. I also wish I had done the center flower in opposite order with the dark on the inside. I'm going to leave it the way it is however.

The next step is to steam the rug. Steaming the rug will make it more even. With the rug laying back side up, I will get a wet towel and hot iron and steam the rug in small sections a few seconds at a time. After I am finished steaming I will let it rest for 24 hours.

To finish the edge of the rug I decided on a whipped edge. There a three types I chose from. My choice to whip the edge with wool yard is based on the fact that wool yarn is readily available where I live. Cindy Gay has exceptional directions for this on her blog as well as the steaming. When the edge is complete I will steam the rug once again.

I am so happy with this rug. It's been a dream of mine to hook a rug for so long. I'm especially happy that the first design was an original of mine. 

 
My only problem now is that my husband wants a rug for his side of the bed. I am trying to decide what to make for him. I'm thinking something from his childhood on Lake Michigan, or a geometric.

Holly Birdie is Ready

Holly Birdie pattern by Woolin Rouge (Traci Suzanne Marvel and myself), for Bigfork Bay Cotton Company is NOW READY!!!!

The bird and holly leaves is done in felted wool but as a quilter, I'm sure you know you can take artistic freedom and do it with batiks, cottons, or anything you want! What I really like about this pattern is that it is so easy for a quilt shop to use any of their Holiday fabric without feeling like they have to make it exactly like the pattern. Speaking of which, the fabric used in this set is Kate Spain's 12 Days of Christmas by Moda.

It goes without saying that I used Aurifil thread. The wool was appliqued with Aurifil Lana Wool Thread and the rest was sewn and quilted with Aurifil 50 wt cotton.  Bigfork Bay Cotton Company is a Distributor for Aurifil so quilt shop owners, give them a ring.

I hope you enjoy this new pattern from Woolin Rouge. We had so much fun designing it. This is the pattern that was in Magic Patch, a French Magazine.

Summer's End Applique Blocks

When I was in Minneapolis this spring at Quilt Market I was drawn to the Primitive Gatherings booth. When I say "drawn" I don't mean, I liked it and spent some time there. I mean that I was "drawn" there time and time again. I could be clear across the building and think, "I need to go back to Primitive Gatherings. I would look at the wool, or the patterns, or the books, or the kits..... This particular pattern, Summer's End, is one I went back a few times to dwell on. Finally the second day I bought it and I am so glad I did. I have had so much fun making this wool applique quilt.

I am using a wool background, wool applique, and Aurifil Lana Wool thread. So far I have only done 5 of the 12 blocks. When I finish the blocks, there is the applique border and I need to decide on a wool sashing for the blocks. 

Between Summer's End, Applique Affair, and the designs I am doing for my own partnership, Woolin Rouge, I am having the woolly time of my life. There is nothing quite like the feel, colors, and visual beauty of wool.

Bigfork Bay Cotton Company is Producing the patterns for Woolin Rouge so be sure you check out the website. So far the only one finished and selling is Star Light Snow Bright. They will have the kits available real soon too. Mary Flanagan is dyeing wool specifically for that quilt. It will be outstanding when it's done. I can't wait to get my kit and I've already made two!