This is the Christmas-tree-skirt project. I wove 3 1/2 meters of background fabric with 8/1 Möbellåtta warp and 6/1 Fårö wool weft. Now, having sorted through all my handwoven remnants, big and small, I have colors and textures for telling the Nativity story in appliqué. My friend with appliqué experience has advised me on materials and technique, for which I am enormously grateful.
Remnant from the warp for towels I wove for my daughter becomes part of Mary’s garment.Donkey shape is cut from remnants from my wool vest project on the drawloom. Paper is on both sides of the double-sided fusible product. One side is peeled off to adhere the fusible to the back of the appliqué piece. (Always remember to draw the reverse side of the image onto the paper on the fusible.)Appliqué piece is face up, ready to be fused to the background. Blue star is from opphämta on the drawloom. Green palm trees are from a long-ago rigid heddle scarf and from a warp of cottolin towels. Manger is pieced from some of my earliest floor loom fabrics. Swaddling cloth is fine cotton M’s and O’s. Baby’s halo is from Swedish lace curtain fabric. Every piece of fabric has a story.
Using a double-sided fusible product, I carefully cut out each shape. After laying all the pieces out in the proper arrangement, I fuse them, layer by layer, to the background fabric. The Nativity narrative is formed, piece by piece. I still have handwoven remnants to add to the lower edge, and embroidery to stitch around some of the appliqué shapes. I’m hopeful to complete all of it before Christmas.
This is the felt tree skirt I saw every year around our family’s Christmas tree when I was a girl.Planning the arrangement of the appliqué pieces onto the background fabric.I start by fusing the manger into place because the head of baby Jesus is at the very center of the whole length of cloth.Wide variety of handwoven fabrics tell the Nativity story. Threads of linen, cotton, wool, and bamboo.Scraps of paper backing indicate that all the pieces have been fused into place. Next, embroidery and other handwork, while considering the meaning of Christmas.
My remnant scene tells the story of God with us. The holy babe in a pieced-together manger reminds us that God loved us by sending Jesus to our worry-ridden world. Worries are the little things and big things that we would like to control, but can’t. Can we add one moment to our lifespan by worrying? Trust in Jesus replaces worry because it puts control back in the right hands.
May you live worry free.
Love, Karen
20 thoughts on “Applique from Handwoven Remnants”
Oh my goodness! It’s going to be a gorgeous heirloom! How will you keep the edges of the cut woven pieces of cloth from fraying? I can’t wait to see this finished. No doubt you will have it completed before Christmas.
Hi Beth, I think you’re right that this will become a cherished heirloom. I envision having it out year after year.
Most of the cut edges are secured with the fusible that I used. And the embroidery that I’m planning to do will serve a dual purpose – stitching around vulnerable edges, as well as being decorative.
Good morning Karen,
What did we do before fusibles?
Textiles. Taking scraps of this and that and with blessings of creativity from God something wonderful happens where before for waste.
Who knew playing with fluff would end up spun yarn? Or, looping that yarn would lead to cloth. Or stains would lead to dyes. Or mended holes would lead to lace.
We are blessed with the end result of those ‘discoveries’ and the ever present ‘waste not want not’ that makes sure we use every last scrap of our hard work.
Please forgive my getting into the weeds. I am trying to figure out how there are 6 plastic container lids of varying sizes left over from packing up my crafts. I think this is in the realm of socks and dyers….
Beautiful tree skirt. I am looking forward to the finished project under the Christmas tree this year.
Hello Nannette, I enjoy your thoughtful response so much. Using every last scrap has a way of showing us that when we think we are all used up, the Lord whispers that He’s not quite done with us.
What an amazing project this is! Every piece tells a story, with each piece being a part of THE STORY. So meaningful in so many ways, and very inspiring. I can’t wait to see the finished tree skirt, but I say that about all of your projects! Thank you for sharing this process…
I’m very glad you’ve shared this process with us, Karen. It’s so inspiring! I love that you took what others might think of as waste and worthless (only to a non-weaver, of course ) and are turning it into a treasure! What a beautiful reminder of God’s redemption.
Oh my goodness! It’s going to be a gorgeous heirloom! How will you keep the edges of the cut woven pieces of cloth from fraying? I can’t wait to see this finished. No doubt you will have it completed before Christmas.
Hi Beth, I think you’re right that this will become a cherished heirloom. I envision having it out year after year.
Most of the cut edges are secured with the fusible that I used. And the embroidery that I’m planning to do will serve a dual purpose – stitching around vulnerable edges, as well as being decorative.
Thank you,
Karen
Good morning Karen,
What did we do before fusibles?
Textiles. Taking scraps of this and that and with blessings of creativity from God something wonderful happens where before for waste.
Who knew playing with fluff would end up spun yarn? Or, looping that yarn would lead to cloth. Or stains would lead to dyes. Or mended holes would lead to lace.
We are blessed with the end result of those ‘discoveries’ and the ever present ‘waste not want not’ that makes sure we use every last scrap of our hard work.
Please forgive my getting into the weeds. I am trying to figure out how there are 6 plastic container lids of varying sizes left over from packing up my crafts. I think this is in the realm of socks and dyers….
Beautiful tree skirt. I am looking forward to the finished project under the Christmas tree this year.
Kind regards,
Nannette
Hello Nannette, I enjoy your thoughtful response so much. Using every last scrap has a way of showing us that when we think we are all used up, the Lord whispers that He’s not quite done with us.
Thank you for your lovely communication,
Karen
Just beautiful!
Hi Karen, Thank you so much!
Karen
What an amazing project this is! Every piece tells a story, with each piece being a part of THE STORY. So meaningful in so many ways, and very inspiring. I can’t wait to see the finished tree skirt, but I say that about all of your projects! Thank you for sharing this process…
Hi Geri, You express my sentiments perfectly, about being a part of THE STORY. What a grand story to be in. Thank you for contributing your thoughts!
Thanks,
Karen
Wow please post when your finished, Would love to see.
Hi Cynthia, I expect I will post a picture right about Christmas. Thanks!
All the best,
Karen
Oh! So very wonderful in so many ways. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Loyanne, it’s great to hear from you. I’m pleased that this project means something to you.
Thank you,
Karen
This will be so moving…..
Hi Karen, I hope it can be the start to many conversations in our home.
Thank you,
Karen
It is absolutely beautiful, what a treasure! And such a great use of remnants from all those projects.
Hi Elisabeth, The little bits add up to something. I’m glad to find a use for some of my remnants.
Thank you so much,
Karen
That is just sweet. Blessings to you and yours!
Hi Carolyn, I appreciate your kindness.
Blessings to you, too,
Karen
I’m very glad you’ve shared this process with us, Karen. It’s so inspiring! I love that you took what others might think of as waste and worthless (only to a non-weaver, of course ) and are turning it into a treasure! What a beautiful reminder of God’s redemption.
Hi Kristin, I’m glad you see it as a reminder of God’s redemption. There’s nothing more meaningful than that.
Love,
Karen