Applique' Away

I had the BEST time today, working on the applique for the front of the felted wool jacket.  The hours passed and I was in the zone. 

This is how I started.  I traced applique' designs to freezer paper.  Ironed the paper to felted wool, and then cut them out.  The freezer paper sticks really well onto felted wool.  Here's some leaves, ready to be cut out.

I hand basted the pieces in place, and then used the Feather stitch  and heavyweight Sulky thread to stitch around the designs.  I added vines and "whatnots".  Here is the front, with the applique' finished.

I will do some beading.  Not a lot, but I'll put a few beads in the flower centers and maybe some on the leaves.  Maybe I'll work on the beading tonight.   My plan is to run the design over the shoulder and let some leaves and a couple of flowers trail down the back.  One sleeve will have some applique on it also. 

I notice that a lot of you hit the latest pattern sale.  I did too.   I didn't buy the new Vogue patterns, although some of them are really nice.  Most are too young for me (alas, but true), and wouldn't fit my lifestyle anyway.  But, I will be reading your blogs and hoping to see some of those fancy dresses on you.  You see, I live a most chic and fun life, vicariously through you!

Here's the patterns I bought.

Carolyn made Vogue8623, and I thought it was so elegant, with it's big collar and pleat in the back.  It has a retro feel to it.  Simplicity will be on sale at Jos the 12th through the 15th.  I'll be there.

More  later.