cutting felt - anyone know?

[art4babies]

How in the heck do you cut (wool) felt with some precision, without spending a zillion dollars on a Sizzix (sp?), which doesn't even have the right shapes I am looking for. I would love to do a variety of simple flower shapes Sissors would be fine, but I was having trouble with precision - the lines were wavy and curves unequal.

Or, is there a Sizzix product that allows you to create your own design. ???

Anyone?

[Ellien C]

I don't know what a sizzix is, but I work with wool and felt a bit. I have very good sharp scissors (Ginghers). I use sharp chalk and only cut one-layer at a time. Is the wool felted unevenly? Could that be why you have uneven lines? I use coating wool pretty often.

You could also look into "needle felting" if you are wanting to attach small designs to another area.

What are you doing with the flowers? Maybe there is another way to achieve the effect you want, like embroidery or applique.

[art4babies]

Thanks for the suggestions! I am cutting uniformly thick wool felt - actually a wool blend. I do think that the lack of quality of my scissors may have a major effect on my troubles, yes.

I also do embroidery but I want to layer small petals for various projects: finger flower-puppets and do 3-dimensional or layered (stacked) flowers on felt hats. This was inspired by a hat my mother wore in the mid 40's. The quality of felt was SO nice back then, but now it is so expensive for just medium quality wool blends. It might be nice to take a class on making felt, but I would want it to be really really uniform in thickness.

Oh, I also like to make miniature animals for my 2-year old, but time is precious and I have SO many projects in mind...

[Ellien C]

You should definitely look in to needle felting. You basically merge (felt) two things together. You can do it with scraps of wool yarn or wool batting. You use a special rough (felting) needle, that has thorns (like a rosebush) and push the needle in and out over and over again until the fibers felt together. I'm sure you can google some resources. I have a felting book that describes needle felting. I haven't done it though.

You can also knit wool and felt it. I've done that a lot. Just chuck in the washer and it comes out great. I've done it by hand, too. A lot of work.

Do you knit or crotchet? I think you would enjoy doing some samples, and throwing them in the washer to felt them up. You'd get what you need in small quantities.

Finally, if you aren't opposed man made fiber - polar fleece is awesome! It doesn't ravel, so you can cut it and stick it on. Joanne's tends to have free patterns for hats and mittens and they have simple flower or seasonal cut-outs (trees, candy canes, etc).

Good luck. It all sounds yummy. I've knitted and felted a bunch of hats, but you've given me a great idea to add flair to them.

[art4babies]

Here is what I am talking about - but what you explain sounds good too. I guess I have more to play around with!

[Ellien C]

That's lovely! Thank you for sharing.

I, myself am digitally challenged so it's like magic juju when someone can post something really quick like that!

Polar fleece would work great for what you are doing and won't unravel. Needle felting will give a different look - it will be more fused, but it will still have dimension.

Here's a good set of directions.
http://gfwsheep.com/needlefelting/needlefelt1.html

[art4babies]

You wouldn't happen to know how to fix holes from moths, would you? The pic I posted is the back of a beautiful jacket from the 40's and there are two small moth holes in it. I would love to be able to repair it.

[mrspilkington]

thanks for posting that gorgeous pic, art4babies! i use a lot of wool felt and there was a big difference after i got better scissors -- 4 " gingher embroidery scissors from joann's -- the price wasn't too bad when i got it along with one of their promotions.

[art4babies]

Oh yeah! I keep forgetting to use one of my 50% off coupons on a set of Ginghers. I want the big and little pairs in the same box.

Thanks for the reminder!