Feltmergency! Repair/Construction help needed

[songdeva]

I just made a bag using Patons Merino. Felted beautifully, except for a strip of Joanne's wool I used in the center. It was 100% wool and the label said nothing about superwash.

What I need are you experts' suggestions and ideas about is how to make this bag work...it's drying now on my washing machine, and I need a presentable gift for Christmas morning...not much time! You all are some seriously talented and inventive people....I know we can come up with something!
Please!

Take a look...it's kind of interesting, what happened. LOL
http://songdeva.wordpress.com/2006/12/19/feltmergency/

Any thoughts??

[nutz4crochet]

I think it looks nice like that. Maybe not what you wanted...I like the lacey look. You can always add a liner.

[Jaybird]

UGH!! I wish I could help, but I'm still pretty new at felting myself. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say. But yes, like the previous post, you could always add aliner and have a lacey look to it.

Good luck!
Jennifer

[JCB]

Line it and call it a unique design feature! Or, you could weave some pretty matching ribbon through the cream portion.

Joan

[Roli]

I like the ribbon idea JCB has. Simply lining it will still leave the middle section weak. If you find a matching ribbon and weave it through the entire middle section it could look very trendy and unique.

[silkymist]

I like the look it has..it's unique!

[angieInCA]

Actually this is what I would call a "Happy Accident" First I would use JCB's idea and find a ribbon that is a contrast or something to actually match the cream (this could be very pretty) and I would line it. This will give the bag alot more stability and a very professional finished look.

[smokeyp81]

I'm sorry about your non-felting yarn. I had read somewhere that some cream, off-white, or white 100% wool will not felt or not as well as other colors because they have been bleached. Maybe that was the problem with that yarn.

As to a fix...maybe make another section in another color wool that you know felts and felt that, then cut out the cream section, and blanket stitch the three sections together? Just an idea......

[sherryzzz]

I like Heather's idea to crochet another piece, felt it, and then blanket stitch it in the center section. After blanket stitching it in, you could re-felt the whole thing and then you wouldn't need to sew a lining into it. (Though I also like the ribbon and sewn-in lining idea too.)

[rsisland]

I like the lining and ribbon ideas.....I also picture a flower on the middle section.