Needle Felting

[lactivist]

I just ordered a kit and want to learn how to needle felt. I hear it is pretty easy so figure it is right up my alley. I am so not crafty. Any tips?

I also have a weird question. I get the chills from cotton's "squeakiness", using a qtip is really difficult. Does needle felting create that same sound/feeling? I hope not.

Thanks for any help for a newbie!
Wendi

[amandaleigh37]

I was just about to post the same thing. I just got a kit from someone off etsy. I'm looking forward to replies

[PNWmama]

I would just start with a needle and a bit of wool and start poking away. It's really easy. The first thing I did was needlefelt a design on a flat object. I embellished one of my ds's soakers with a needlefelted leaf design. After that I felt brave and made a pumpkin figure for our nature table. Wool is really forgiving and easy to work with. Really, just start poking away and you'll be surprised at how good your creation looks in the end! Watch out, it's addicting!

Oh, and watch your fingers! I know from experience that wine and needlefelting do not mix!

As for the sound, I'd say it's more of a "crunch" sound than a squeak, so I don't think you have to worry

[slymamato3]

oooh what fun. I LOVE this craft! It is so easy and the results are fabulous. I have found that you just have to dive in and start poking You will quickly become addicted...at least I did. I just found a wool poncho at a thrift store, once I finish recaning a rocking chair I am going to add some funstuff to the poncho for my 2y/o. I hadn't done any felting for awhile but when I came across the poncho I knew it was a perfect project to get me going again. After you get started feel free to ask any ???? I would be happy to help if I can.

[Way Up North]

I just ordered a kit, too LOL
And I know the sound you mean, that wool on wool squeak ick, I get the shivers just thinking about it! So let's hope it is a quiet craft! I can't wait to try it, it looks addicting, though!

L

[lactivist]

I just got my kit today. I won't be able to try it until late tonight or tomorrow but I did look at it and touch the wool. It didn't feel/sound squeaky so I think I will be okay. It looks fun. I will keep you all posted on my progress.

slymama thanks for the offer of help. I bet I will have plenty of questions once I get started. I am so excited.
Wendi

[red_trillium]

i just started needle felting and i'm having a ton of fun with it!

the sound is more of a slicing bread/sanding sound. but it's pretty subtle, not loud, and no squeaking. it's mostly just the sound of the needle being poked into the styrofoam. i bet you could find something else to back it with if the sound bothered you.

[amandaleigh37]

So are you guys having any luck getting started?
You can see my first attempts on my blog.. I also made a really cute little heart that I sent with my hubby on his business trip. My egg is um.. not very egg-like lol

What are some good things to make for a beginner? I am admiring all the little people and animals on etsy, but clearly it will be a while before I can make anything like that

I am having fun though, so that's good. Oh and my thumb finally stopped bleeding too.

[captivatedlife]

I say begin with one of two things - a ball (2" x 2 " or so) or a flat piece of decoration - a leaf, a two dimensional square, etc. Once you have these down, you can move onto simple dolls, etc. For me, it's not about what I can't do - it's the fact that I can do it. I enjoy looking at all the tutorials I can online - but I make my dolls, my balls, everything different. I don't have any tutorials, but I do have some needlefelted items on my blog - look back under 2007. Blog link in siggy!

[danieliausmama]

I don't hear any sound when I needlefelt. But maybe i am less sensitive to it.

It is very easy, just watch your fingers- it hurts more and longer than regular needles. Do not look away while needling.

[Shantimama]

I love needle felting. Mostly I have used it to embelish other felted objects, but it is fun to make little things for our dollhouse too.

I love the sound it makes

[reillys_mom]

I get a little pop kind of sound. I've successfully appliqued and made a felt banner. Right now my easter egg is looking rather misformed. I have dreams of making animals, dolls, tapestries, for now I will try an oval.

[feminist~mama]

Okay, so I bought some roving and needles from Peace Fleece and figured I'd just jump in, but now I'm suddenly stumped about the foam backing piece.

Can I use any old foam? Should I stop by the craft store and by some? What about using scraps of leather as a backer?

Thanks!

[amandaleigh37]

I think any foam will work that is thick enough. You want to make sure there's no chance the needle will go all the way through it (ouch). I don't know if leather would work, because the needle might break if it hits whatever hard surface is beneath it...

[captivatedlife]

I use a pillow under my work - a nice thick lap one. It works great!

[feminist~mama]

Thanks! I stopped at Joann's and bought a 3 inch thick piece of foam that cost $3.xx.

[PNWmama]

Originally Posted by feminist~mama

Okay, so I bought some roving and needles from Peace Fleece and figured I'd just jump in, but now I'm suddenly stumped about the foam backing piece.

Can I use any old foam? Should I stop by the craft store and by some? What about using scraps of leather as a backer?

Thanks!

A thickly folded up towel works as well if you don't have any foam.

[feminist~mama]

In my obsessive fashion, I'm now thinking of purchasing the clover tool- the one with 6 needles or something.

Does anyone know if I actually need that mat or if I can just use my foam?

Thanks!

[feminist~mama]

Anyone?

[beemama]

You can use your foam!

Let us know what you think of the clover tool. I got a wooden multi-needle felting tool, hoping to stick w/more natural fibers but that safety guard looks dreamy! I need to make some kind of a case or something for mine, as for now I have to disassemble & put it back in it's box every time.