Feltmaking & needle felting

[Higgydig]

Is anyone interested in these subjects. I have done very little so far but would appreciate sharing of hints, tips and info.

[fabyon]

Hi Higgydig, welcome to the forum. I found this webisode from HOTP (Hot Off The Press) about felting. It's a very interesting tutorial:

http://www.paperwishes.com/webisodes/index.php?page=high&id=146

[Higgydig]

Thanks so much for passing on this website. I've watched the tutorial which is interesting. Would be great for toppers as well as projects in their own right.

[alwayscrafting]

thanks for the link - interesting

I needlefelt teddies & things and just use a large dense foam block and bare needle!

Nothing fancy like theirs!!!

[Marie]

Gosh this takes me back to primary school and making felt pin cushions!

I used to love sewing as a child and teenager, I used to do embroidery and applique, I still have a lovely batch of coloured embroidery threads that my mam bought me for Christmas years ago and I keep thinking that one day I'll find something to make with them. I was tempted by the felt borders that Anna Griffin had on QVC last weekend, so pretty.

Anyway sorry i don't have any great tips, just memories, so please show us your finished felt creations Higgydig and give us some inspiration!

[Higgydig]

thanks for the link - interesting

I needlefelt teddies & things and just use a large dense foam block and bare needle!

Nothing fancy like theirs!!!

Are your teddies very 3 dimensional. I get Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine and they have featured 3-D dogs. Looks quite difficult to me. I've only done some flat pieces so far.

[alwayscrafting]

Are your teddies very 3 dimensional. I get Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine and they have featured 3-D dogs. Looks quite difficult to me. I've only done some flat pieces so far.

My aim when i started was to have a bash at the dogs, I had seen some Japanese ones and they were very lifelike.
But startd off wih teddies being smaller (lol) and am now trying them with armatures.

Must admit hadn't thought of doing anything flat until i watched that video clip!
And i haven't heard of the mag you mentioned, it sounds interesting

[Higgydig]

Thanks, "always crafting".

'Cloth, Paper, Scissors' is an American magazine which comes out Bi-monthly and is full of inspiration in the area of mixed media work, collage and altered arts. I have seen it in some shops in the UK but I get mine on subscription. Costs a bit more, but really worth it.

http://www.quiltingarts.com/cpsmag/cpshome.html is the site if you're interested.

I'll have a go at something more three dimensional and see how I get on.

[alwayscrafting]

Thanks for that higgydig.

You have a go! there are video clips on you tube to help if you need it (lots)

A friend of mine makes beautiful beads into necklaces and they are stunning.

She just uses pears soap when she washes the 'balls' squeezes out very well and leaves to dry. She does say that it takes quite some time for them to dry thoroughly then she pierces and threads using nothing special as far as tools go.

Every week when i see her she has on a different necklace and or bracelet that co-ordinates with her outfits!

[clevercat]

That looks a fantastic magazine Higgydig. Do you have the print or digital subscription and which do you think would be better? I suppose I could burn the digital onto a cd so I wouldn't lose any issues if the computer crashed or will there be something preventing storing issues separately? Sorry to ask so many questions and thanks for any guidance you can give me.

[fabyon]

Just a quick note that Paper Wishes have put all their felting supplies on sale so even with the 29 dollar international shipping, they could be some bargains considering our pound is getting stronger against the dollar again.

[Higgydig]

'Clevercat' - I love 'Cloth, Paper, Scissors'. I did consider the digital subsciption but I love to be able to take a magazine around with me so that I can dib in and out, and get some inspiration. I also love the way many of the artists describe what inspired them to start a particular project and how they developed their ideas. Helps me to think a little 'out of the box' - though it's always a battle with time and, like everyone, I never seem to have enough of it to work on ideas.

Fabyon - thanks for the tip re. Paper Wishes. I hadn't come across their website so I'll have a good look. I do get supplies from the USA from time to time, but I've been caught out with customs duty and excessive post office charges on one or two items.

PS I can't seem to quote the message in my reply as others do - I've tried copying the text & clicking on 'Quote message in reply' - and also the other way round without success. I'm obviously doing something wrong but I can't work out what. Help!

[fabyon]

You just click on the button that says quote no need to copy the text. If you want to multi quote just click on the Quotes/Plus button and then click on the Quote button on the last quote in your list.

[clevercat]

Thanks Higgydig I think I will look into a subscription.

[serindipitydragonfly]

I know this is a late reply but I have only just joined the forum. I do needle felting but on an embellisher machine and I also love doing free machine embroidery and often combine the two. A while ago I did a one day workshop on wet felting but that was far too energetic for me!!!!

[Keltia]

Hi Higgydig, I just joined and this thread caught my notice. I’ve taught workshops in making Handmade Felt. (The kind that needs water and soap) I’d be happy to give you any hints and tips if you are still interested.

[Higgydig]

Thanks to Serendipity+ and Keltia for your replies. I haven't done as much as I would have liked over the past few months unfortunately. I'm trying to sell my house and just as soon as I get my crafting things out, I have to put them away again for a viewing. It's getting tiresome. I did some handmade felting at the beginning of the year, though it was rather thin. I need to get more practice to get it thicker. is it possible to add to the thin piece I've already done - using the same technique as before?

I have only just found my felting needles, so will try another piece in the near future.

[alwayscrafting]

Yes you can just add the new fibres and stab away!