Hoppo Bumpo (n): A children's game. Played by folding one's arms and hopping on one leg. Aim is to bump opponents, so that they lose their balance. Last person standing wins.


October 06, 2009

A tale of craftsaster ... or why I felt(ed) so bad (Blogtoberfest day 6)



I have to admit to being a bit of a follower: a card carrying member of the me-too-me-too brigade. So when exciting stories of felting and refashioning thrifted woolies began emerging on favourite blogs, I knew it wasn't a case of if but when.

I have been taken with the idea of felting wool; the thrill of some chopping and rearranging. I too wanted to make a one-of-a-kind funky woollen piece from an unassuming garment found at the op shop.

The trouble is I lack one fundamental skill - that is, the ability to find second-hand treasures.

Sadly I was born without the op shop gene. I walk into a thrift shop and see racks of size 22 bloomers and boxes of National Geographic. You, on the other hand, would probably spot the brand-new-in-box waffle iron, vintage beauty case and 50's polka-dot swing dress.

So when I walked through the doors of my local charity shop yesterday, I should have had the sense to remember the odds were stacked against me. Finding a suitable garment was going to be a stretch - especially with Argy and Bargy in tow and the need for employing my smash-and-grab shopping technique.

I decided on a strategy of rifling through clothes focusing purely on fabric care labels. A practical approach I thought. I stopped at the first garment that said 100% wool, cold hand wash only and whipped it out. Blue. Wool. Good. Yes. Lovely, I'll take it. Bye, bye. I was out of that op shop before the old ducks at the counter could say Thank you, dear.

Outside I peered into the bag. Now what exactly was it that I had bought? A pale blue and navy ladies cardigan with some stripey detail. Sized large. Yep, it would suffice for my felting and refashioning experiment.



When I got my purchase home, I took a closer look. Apart from one tiny hole, the garment was in good condition. The pale blue was a passable shade and I looked forward to seeing how the little stripe would look once felted.

Then I noticed the label.

Ironed at the collar was a matte label ... bearing the previous owner's name. Shirley. I said it out aloud. Then I looked again. The cuffs were rolled back once. I unfurled them and some tiny crumbs dislodged. Then I noticed the faintest tea-coloured splash stain on the front.



I hesitated as I tossed the cardy into the washing machine. Then I felt regret. Craftsaster had struck. Shirley, who liked tea and bikkies, would never have thrown this cardigan into a super hot wash with lots of agitation. A wave of guilt. At the end of the cycle, instead of triumphantly lifting out my beautifully felted garment, all I could see was Shirley's shrunken matted cardy.

Craft, I have discovered, is so much more than the end product. Its also about how you feel about what you are making. Despite my high hopes, I am not sure whether this particular project will recover.



But I'd Shirley like to think so. I don't fancy my chances at the op shop again.

23 comments:

  1. Oh no, Liesl, don't lose hope yet! I am no experienced crafter like yourelf and I can do it. Not only can I do it, I'm hooked! I have completed 4 projects succesfully now (well I think anyway) and have about 6 more felted and waiting.

    Don't give up, I wnat you too to share in the exciting and liberating experience.

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  2. Oh and apart from the fact I can't spell, did you see my felting failure that I have passed onto 'SuperPops'?

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  3. How sweet to pause for thought for Shirley! I often wonder about previous owners of thrifted things.

    Don't worry, Shirley gave her cardigan away. I know the stuff I pass on to the oppy I would be happy for the new owner to do whatever they like with their purchase!

    Don't submit to the craftsaster. Go for craft gold.

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  4. I so get this post...I was given a deceased old ladies nightie because of all the amazing cotton lace all over it, my mother in law knew the lady and said she would love me to have it, so I started cutting all the lace off, but then I just felt awful. This nightie was such an intimate item, and I was hacking it apart. I still have all the lace I haven't been able to use it...guilty crafting, the bad kind!

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  5. Don't worry - Shirley was not a wasteful woman and she would be thrilled to know that her 100% wool cardigan ( destined to be consigned to rags after a few months on the shelves) has been rescued. She hopes that you make something fabulous with it, because Edith, you know Edith, Shirleys neighbour - she was quite rude about that cardigan once and told Shirly it did nothing for her shelf-like bosom.
    Shiley can't wait to rub Ediths nose in it - In a nice way of course.
    Press on I say !

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  6. I'm with Jodie - craft on. Brilliant to try and Shirley would probably be chuffed that a young 'un like yourself was using her wardrobe! Sophie should also craft on - elderly ladies love refashioning - that's what they grew up with.

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  7. My mums name is Shirley and she would say " Go for it , girl !"

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  8. Less thinking more shrinking Liesl!

    I'm excited that you're going for it. Even if it's a complete hack job you'll learn something(like the felted jumper I RUINED last night, groan, I'm sure it'll make a nice softie...)

    Oh and blogging is all about the 'me too'. In fact I believe it was reading your blog that roped me into this whole blogging malarkey in the first place.

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  9. Shirley would be loving the upcycling! Go forth, felt and be liberated!

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  10. Keep Calm and Carry On. That's what Shirley would say (she's shirley got to have a bit of British blood in her somewhere?).

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  11. Familiarity has to be the worst thing about op-shopping... you just have to forget where it came from and dream about the potential.
    I love Jodies comment.

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  12. I am with Gina. When in doubt it can always be utilised into a softie of some description. Oo! Oo! You could call it 'Shirley'!!

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  13. I think surely Shirley would love to see her sweater turned into something that brings happiness. And yes I did say "surely Shirley"! LOL
    hugs
    -missy-

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  14. This is a very sweet post Liesl. I was thinking about Shirley like I think about my Nan..... very accepting of how times have changed. Maybe Shirley would love to see what the "young people" are doing with her old clothes. Over a cup of tea and a bikkie with one of her equally old friends, she might say with a touch of pride in her voice, "Can you believe that very fancy top is my old cardi?"

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  15. Great post and what you say is so true - sometimes the "feel" of something you're working on can make a difference to how you approach it. Anyway, Tania couldn't have put it any better - keep calm and carry on - maybe have a glass of sherry to toast Shirl with - I'm sure she would approve (after midday, of course!).

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  16. Don't worry Shirley - and this is a great post ! Enjoy the rest of the week...

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  17. you could always name your results after Shirley? :D

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  18. I am sure Shirley is up in heaven now, looking down on you with a bingo card and ciggie in hand, hoping that her cardie is being useful and not cluttering up the place. Go for it Liesel, it'll get easier. Like the first time I cut up a priceless embroidered tablecloth hand made by Hazel!

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  19. don't worry, i don't have the gene either

    what are you going to make with it now?

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  20. so did it actually come up good?? You know, Shirley is a very crafty lady herself. I'm sure she would have wanted it this way. "Waste not want not" she always says.

    Love Jodies comment too.

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  21. I cant wait to see the further adventures of Shirley - Im sure this cant be the end of the story?

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  22. Belated, but I'm so glad I'm not the only one lacking the Op Shop gene.

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  23. Great post, love Jodies comment. Go for it - Shirley would probably love it!

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