When I arrived at the meeting Tuesday morning…I had never seen the room so full of wool. It seems everyone had brought stacks of materials for making brooches. 

I keep saying  ‘proddy brooches’ but in fact there were two types being made. Cynthia Young, one of our most artistic and creative members, had designed a wonderful , whimsical brooch style using dyed nylons, and felting…so…. many of the members were creating these. Those long felting needles were flying, and much to my surprise, no one stabbed a finger!

The nylon pieces were laid on blocks of sponge for felting.

The centres were made of roving, or wool yarn, and felted onto the scrunched nylon pieces.

Many were very creative in what they used in the proddy brooches.

This one has a wonderful button in the centre. 

Others used whimsical ‘fun yarns’ and even lace for details.

Plaid wools added texture.

Mine are much less imaginative…

more traditional.

I think I was going for quantity! I plan to do 6 more, and I’m going to make the next 6 with greater variety!

These proddy flowers are quick to do. Gene Shepherd is certainly the expert, and his book on realistic prodded flowers has been
my ‘bible’ .

I like to do the centre first.

the petals can be cut in any variety of shapes, then pulled trough the backing…(each piece creates 2 petals)

When completed, a thick line of glue is applied around the edge and let dry. The flowers will then be cut out, and a backing circle of wool or felt applied with a brooch pin inserted. (I haven’t got that far yet). We’re hoping they will be the new ‘IN’ fashion statement that everyone will want to purchase at the Quilt and Rug Fair in September!