Little peg people / wool felt gnomes

[tinasquirrel]

You know those cute little gnomes that you see all the time at places like A Toy Garden? Well, I've been wanting to make some, but haven't been able to find any patterns or instructions or tutorials. So, I bought some people from Casey's Wood, and had some wool felt, and last night while I was watching the debate, just decided to go for it and figure it out on my own!

Look what I made in about 2 hours (which included the time it took me to make patterns (out of acrylic felt) for the hat and cape). I'm so proud of them! I can't wait to make more! If anyone wants me to create a tutorial, I would be willing. I've been wanting to start documenting my crafting efforts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...G_1025copy.jpg

My boys loved them. Then I showed them off at DS's Montessori school and the teachers loved them too. I was so proud of myself! I can't wait to make some more. I want to make some cute ones for Valentines, and I think I might make one of those "seasons" sets with a figure each for winter, spring, summer and fall.

[moonfairy]

Those are adorable!! I'd love a tutorial. I have been thinking about making some of these but didn't know where to begin. Thanks!!

Tessa

[Miss Information]

Those are great. Now if you wanted to make a mushroom table and chairs all you need to do is go to a craft store and get some wood circle cutouts and some wood spools and paint to look like a mushroom

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...mesattable.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...shroomhome.jpg


Those are my version of the gnomes, but I left them hatless. The angle of the cape is different than on ATG, so I left them hatless to move them around better by holding the heads.

[tinasquirrel]

Originally Posted by kmcmommyto3

Those are great. Now if you wanted to make a mushroom table and chairs all you need to do is go to a craft store and get some wood circle cutouts and some wood spools and paint to look like a mushroom

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...mesattable.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...shroomhome.jpg


Those are my version of the gnomes, but I left them hatless. The angle of the cape is different than on ATG, so I left them hatless to move them around better by holding the heads.

Oh wow! I love that little table/chairs, and especially love the gnome house!!!! That is so cute! Is that just felt, or did you put some interfacing in there first? I see some gnome furnishings in my future.

[Miss Information]

Originally Posted by tinasquirrel

Oh wow! I love that little table/chairs, and especially love the gnome house!!!! That is so cute! Is that just felt, or did you put some interfacing in there first? I see some gnome furnishings in my future.

Thank you.

It's thick stiff wool material, not quite felt, but almost. Honestly I'm not sure what it is. I bought it from Joann's as a remnant once upon a time, and all it said was wool. It's fairly thick on it's own. I did put heavy duty interfacing (the strongest I could find at Joann's). But I hear that Timtex interfacing is commonly used to make things stand up. I think someone referred to a website called The Silver Penny and they use it in their fabric gnome homes.
I think you have to order that online because I don't think the chain craft stores carry them.

The roof is made from wool batting I got from weirdollsandcrafts and it is needlefelted.

I'm so in need of some more inspiration. I'm glad you showed pics. I want to do some more, but was burnt out after Xmas. If you do get pics of other crafts, please show us. I'm always looking for more ideas.

[GoldBerry]

Wonderful! I'm inspired

[tinasquirrel]

Originally Posted by kmcmommyto3

Thank you.

It's thick stiff wool material, not quite felt, but almost. Honestly I'm not sure what it is. I bought it from Joann's as a remnant once upon a time, and all it said was wool. It's fairly thick on it's own. I did put heavy duty interfacing (the strongest I could find at Joann's). But I hear that Timtex interfacing is commonly used to make things stand up. I think someone referred to a website called The Silver Penny and they use it in their fabric gnome homes.
I think you have to order that online because I don't think the chain craft stores carry them.

The roof is made from wool batting I got from weirdollsandcrafts and it is needlefelted.

I'm so in need of some more inspiration. I'm glad you showed pics. I want to do some more, but was burnt out after Xmas. If you do get pics of other crafts, please show us. I'm always looking for more ideas.

Hmmm...I actually have some Timtex that I bought with the thought of making a needle felted gnome house. (I think I got it at fabric.com?) I like the idea of using felt for the walls though and wool roving/batting for the roof. The roof looks so cute because it's all soft and puffy. I love it!

[InJoy]

A tutuorial would be fantastic! Thank you!

[mercy589]

subbing for tutorial!!

[kennedy444]

subbing in


Ha, like I need another new project!

[tinasquirrel]

Well, I took pictures the other day when I was making some more, and I also made a "child" sized figure as well, so I have a template for the clothing for both the man size and the child size. So I will just write it up and post it!

I made little block M's for the two blue/yellow ones and now they are gracing my DH's computer, LOL. He's going to make them the avatar for his online game that he plays.

They go really fast actually, so it was a good "immediate gratification" sort of project. So many projects are multi-week efforts that it is nice to finish something in only an hour or two!

[sapientia]

Now I'm off to start a mushroom house to go with my own little gnomes!.....

[kennedy444]

Originally Posted by tinasquirrel

Well, I took pictures the other day when I was making some more, and I also made a "child" sized figure as well, so I have a template for the clothing for both the man size and the child size. So I will just write it up and post it!

Can't wait to see it and borrow it. Maybe fun to make some Valentine gnomes as a little 2/14 gift.

Thanks so much for sharing.

One question too: the sheets of wool felt that I"ve seen are very thick and could never be gnome clothes. Suggestions where to go for the thinner stuff you are using and is it about the same thickness as the acyrlic felt?

[tinasquirrel]

Originally Posted by kennedy444

Can't wait to see it and borrow it. Maybe fun to make some Valentine gnomes as a little 2/14 gift.

Thanks so much for sharing.

One question too: the sheets of wool felt that I"ve seen are very thick and could never be gnome clothes. Suggestions where to go for the thinner stuff you are using and is it about the same thickness as the acyrlic felt?

Hmmm...my wool felt is just standard wool felt. It is thicker than acrylic, but is fine for the clothing. I got mine from Weirs Dolls. I also got some of the mixed sets ("bundles") from Marcus Brothers Colonial Crafts at our local quilting store. I actually just bought some of the mottled dyed kind, and I can't wait to make some gnomes with it! This is what I just bought at our local store (the hand-dyed set, but I also have the Aunt Grace set):

http://www.colonialcrafts.com/manufa...undles/1591/32

[mumkenna&lucas]

I'd love a tutorial as well

[tinasquirrel]

I'll try to do it tonight. I had to work last night and couldn't get to it. They would make great little Valentine's gifts since they come together so quickly.

To start with, here's a supply list:

1. Wooden people, I have the people from Casey's Wood, #20 Man and #1006 Little boy.

2. Wool felt in two coordinating colors ("A" for the under-clothing, and "B" for the cloak and hat). Obviously, you can use acrylic felt as well, but the wool is just much nicer. And you use very little of it, so it's pretty cost-effective to use wool.

3. Cotton Pearl (size 5) in a color that would be set off well against the hat/cloak (I use a color that matches the under-clothing "A" felt)

4. Hand sewing needle with a big enough eye to thread the cotton pearl (which is rather thick)

5. Glue, I use that gold bottle tacky glue

6. Scissors for cutting the felt

[tinasquirrel]

Dup post

[kennedy444]

I know how busy everyone is but I was just checking back to see if you were able to post the pattern/directions. Thanks in advance

[tinasquirrel]

I'm almost done, I just need to scan in the pattern for the clothing. So, I'm hoping to put it up on my new craft blog tomorrow morning. (Now, I've committed myself!)

[GoldBerry]

Yippee!