Sponsor Giveaway: Wool from Heavens to Betsy
Heavens to Betsy, purveyor of 100% milled wool, recently became a True Up sponsor, and immediately sent me all this gorgeous wool to divvy up. Now, this stuff is just scrumptious. It is woven, not felted/fulled, and the colors are deep, saturated, and beautiful. All the fabrics are 58-60″ wide, about 12oz./yard, and available as yardage. It is definitely soft enough to be worn against the skin (but I love how wool feels and I know some people have lower itch thresholds!). In addition to timeless plaids and stripes, there are a few heathered solids in the mix.
Now, I’ve sewn some with wool felt but not much with woven wool, so I’m wondering what to do with it, other than stare and touch! The Heavens to Betsy blog and Flickr group have plenty of ideas — quilting, rug hooking, stuffed toys, clothing (this stuff is perfect for coats), bags, pillows, scarves, blankets … but I’m wondering what you’re envisioning.
I want as many people as possible to experience this wool in person, so I’m giving away four bundles of two half-yards each (I have to hoard a little for myself!) For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post telling me a project, even a commercial pattern, that you think you’d use with these fabrics. I’ll pick the winners next Wednesday, Feb. 23, around noon central U.S. time. This giveaway is open to readers worldwide.
Erica, the owner of Heavens to Betsy, provides some tips on working with their wool:
Wool most often has two sides that look alike because of it being woven. This can be an advantage but … The best tip is to ALWAYS “label” ( I use a flower head pin, With the flower on the right side) the right side when cutting for a pattern – especially garments- It is very easy to make a perfect pleated pocket and sew it to the wrong side of a coat panel without noticing until you go to attach the panel.
Wool should be washed first before using. Wash in the washer in warm water and place in the dryer as normal. This will tighten the weave (some call this felting). It will not shrink after that as long as you use the same process. Although, hot water will shrink it more and make it thicker ( good for some projects).
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I love these wools! I think they would look great in a hooked rug, although it seems like a shame to cut them up that small!
I’d make an A-line skirt. So beautiful!
I have a Japanese sewing book with an A line skirt with suspenders pattern that I’d love to make for my daughter in gorgeous wool like these.
A hooked rug. Definitely.
I’d love to make a messenger bag!
I think a year sitting on top of the stash, being fingered a couple of times a week would be first. After that, a dress-coat for my baby girl….possibly a matching tam? Leftover snips would have to embellish denim skirts and pants and be made into floral acceents for hairbands and clips. Is there enough left for a mug rug, I wonder?
Teddy Bears for the twins due in May.
stuffed monsters for my son…
no no, I’ve been needing a new bag, and netbook cover,
oh and a cover for my e reader…
no, I’d probably make the monsters… maybe.
Ooh, those are so nice looking. I would make a warm knee-length skirt. If there was any left I’d probably make a cover for a hot water bottle.
Those wools are gorgeous! I would combine them with some plain pieces I already have to make a quilt I’ve been planning….if I’m lucky enough to win these.
This would be perfect for the lap quilt that I have been meaning to make all winter. It’s time for a new one since the dog claimed the old one as her own.
The fabric would make a nice cozy for my cat.
Hello,
gorgeous fabric! It is all the rage in france (Europe) at the moment.
I would make any (or all) of the items from this book :
http://www.edisaxe.com/product_info_new.php?products_id=3156
By the way, the book is both in French and in English! If you click on ‘feuilleter un extrait’, just below the cover picture, you can see a few of the projects. Beatrice.
luv this wool i would probably make a throw pillow or maybe a purse
It would be interesting to see how this wool works in my rolled constructions that become sculptures. See my website- http://www.monaleisa.com in the 3D and Installations galleries, how i roll wool fabrics and turn them into sculptural forms. The way in which I would use this fabric differs from the norm and as an artist, I am always trying out new things!
They are such gorgeous fabrics. I’d like to make myself a lovely tweedy-looking hat, but if I find my sewing skills aren’t up to that, I’d love to try making some woolly patchwork.
[...] anything going on over there thatI can pass on to you… and done a sharp intake of breath at this giveaway of gorgeous wovenwool fabric from Heavens to Betsy. How lovely is this fabric? Sadly, you don’t get to win all [...]
Ooh, gorgeous wools! I would love to win some and use to make a couple hats for my boys.
A simple bag with a contrasting binding
Omg! These are beautiful! I’d be torn between making myself a bag (you can never have too many bags right?!) or making a quilt for my granddads birthday.
Oh my goodness, how delicious are these?
If was lucky enough to win some it would definitely become cushion covers for the cushions my sofa so desperately needs.
oooh, fingers crossed!
x
I just came across a product from Norway that is wool, wood and cement, mixed together and then formed into hexagon shapes. I’m imagining a project that uses wool hex shapes, mounted to a wall in my studio. maybe repositionable wool hexes . . . .
I love wool fabric! Oh, so many possibilities
I think I’d make a cushion and a soft toy/monster and use scraps for applique. Or maybe a pinafore dress for my little girl…… Thanks for the opportunity to win some beautiful fabric.
Wow! That looks absolutely amazing. If I won, I’d definitely use it to make my stuffed animals, called “Fuzzies”. I love the look and feel of wool plaid, and I usually end up upcycling old shirts to get the desired effect. But this fabric would be perfect!
Oh! They look so warm! I’m thinking some house slipper boots and a stuffed elephant or 2!
I would make some weekender bags. I’ve seen a few designs that I would love to try!
I’d like to make a wool curtain.
hmmmm…. maybe I’d make a wool skirt, some gloves, or a scarf? I wonder what else I could do….
I would make a pencil skirt with ruffles or pleats in the back!
Love this wool! I see it in a boxy little jacket.
I’d love to make some soft toys from this gorgeous wool which is very hard to come by in tropical North Queensland, Australia.
cant wait to start my project if i win maybe a pillow
The colors and patterns are sublime! I want to make a wool backpack. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would sew a nice little wool jacket for my grandson…or make a wool quilt!
I would make a skirt and a plush softie, too!
I think I’ll make a lingerie set, because I’m mad at my husband…. just kidding. I usually sew clothing for my daughters but this fabric is too beautiful to let toddlers get juice on. I’d love to make myself a sassy 3/4 sleeve jacket with a cape like drape.
Oh, an a-line skirt would be wonderful!
I love working with wool. I think these would make lovely patchwork woolen scarves(can you tell it’s winter here in the U.S.) I would also love to try making a wall hanging scene using woolen bits.
I’d make skirts galore!
I have 6 kids (5 boys & a girl). I would make Easter jackets and for the new baby booties from a Anna Maria Horner pattern.
Thanks
Rachel
smilin’ in Idaho
They are lovely! Me thinks a nice waistcoat for myself and the coolest (but very warm) dungarees for my baby niece.
(If I had the blue one though I’d probably have to sneak in a wee cushion as it matches my wall…)
I´ve used checkered woolen fabrics a couple of times to sew kilts from. Both to men and women. It doesn´t matter if it´s not traditional colors, sometimes the untraditional colors make the kilts look even better! It all depends on what you match it up with. (Mine is orange)
Another thing I´ve sewn with a smaller checkered pattern, pink wool fabric is a bias-cut, middle-of-the-leg-length skirt. It becomes very 30s style. Again matching it with the right top and accessories will make it a stunning piece of garment. I have plans to make a matching short jacket to go with the skirt, finishing it off with a bold faux fur collar.
Wool is a delight to sew in, and a joy to embroider on, be it free motion on the machine or the good old fashioned way, using my hands
I´d love to win, these fabrics are so beautiful!!!
I can’t believe I haven’t posted a comment yet! I was sure I did, I’m glad I checked back. Those fabrics are beautiful! With a nice plaid wool I’d definitely make a skirt! Something like this (I seem to have a thing for 70s A-line wool plaid skirts): http://www.etsy.com/listing/39286668/vintage-1970s-poppy-gardener-wool-skirt, or a 50′s inspired fuller one. I’m not sure 1/2 yard cut is enough for a skirt though… Maybe I’d try a cushion or a bag or some accessory. I’d love to see some of those fabrics for real! The shop seems interesting but I’m always scared of ordering fabric online because you can’t feel the fabric.
Thank you and Heavens to Betsy for this great giveaway!
i would have to say these look beautiful. i think i would make a nice throw with the wool fabrics
Such gorgeous wools … I’ve always wanted to make a carpetbag a la’ Mary Poppins. Indygo Junction makes a fantastic pattern for a carpetbag so I’d use that.
How about a wonderful vest jacket.
A classy pair of sailor-inspired shorts with functional button placket and all! Not unlike these Those are wonderful wools if I’ve seen any. Beautiful colors and I bet they sew up like a dream <3 I just came upon this site and am just delighted at all the fun fabric news I can look forward to now. Yay!
A classy pair of sailor-inspired shorts with functional button placket and all! (Not unlike Kwiksew 3854). Those are wonderful wools if I’ve seen any. Beautiful colors and I bet they sew up like a dream <3 I just came upon this site and am just delighted at all the fun fabric news I can look forward to now. Yay!
I would make two pairs of conductive finger-tip gloves for myself and my husband!
http://www.neatorama.com/2009/12/07/conductive-gloves-for-touch-screens/