Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Easy Wool Throw

First: I don't need a throw, but sure I could use one and sure I've been drooling over beautiful throw-posts like the one's at Katy Elliott's blog.

Second: I perhaps often lament about Boston's lack of a decent (or any kind of) Fabric Row/Fashion District a la NYC and Philly, but the truth is at least we've got Winmill Fabrics. If you're going to just have one store, this is about the best store you could hope for. They carry a range of fabric types, even sheer blouse material, and they have great prices and source their fabric from all over and so you will often find quite a gem (like the upholstery velvet I bought for reupholstering my settee, though I haven't done that yet).

The other week I went by just to browse and stumbled upon this fantastic steel blue herringbone wool fabric. One minute and one phone call to Elizabeth later, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this. I turned it into a throw - it was easy, two sides are already finished, you only have to cut it to size and finish the two remaining sides. In an hour you'll have a throw. Tutorial after the jump.


Materials: At least 2 yards of 60" wool fabric.

First, measure the length of your throw. I cut mine at 2 yards (72") long, which means it will be roughly 60" x 70" (72" less your seams). This is a good size for a throw, a little shy of blanket size.

I did what I still think is scary but I see ladies in the fabric shop do it so I do it, too: snip about 2" of fabric at your mark and rip the rest.

Next, square up the  raw edges. I used a clear ruler and aligned it with the selvedge.

To create your seam, fold the raw edge in half an inch, then over again and finally (this is a bit tricky to describe in writing) fold it back so that what will be your outside folded edge is pointed in towards the middle of the throw. I have another invisible hem tutorial that may be more clear. You can also just do the first two folds and top stitch the hem, but I do love an invisible hem.

In the photo above you can see that fold nearest the top left of my thumb two photos up is the right most fold in the photo directly above. That makes sense, right?

When you're done you'll have a stitch you can barely see. This is the underside and if you look carefully you can see the darting of the hem.

And then you have a lovely wool throw. Oh, and I almost forgot to add that the fabric was $8 a yard so for $16 bucks, a wool throw? Please.

Woah, my bed!

5 comments:

  1. it looks lovely and cosy! I love tailoring fabric! I've been thinking about making heavy wool curtains for our big Victorian window.

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  2. Your room is wonderful! I love how you are using that school desk as a night stand.

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  3. beautiful! and I'm loving the lockers next your bed. great idea!

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