HELP !!!! Needle Felting

[Lorna Evett]

Hi All

After the good suggestions of needlefelting my teddy's nose, i thought i would get a book :confused: totally confused.

I need visual help, anyone got a step by step suggestion to get me started, have not got a clue what i am doing.

Lorna

[shebob bears]

Help is on its way Lorna, so don't worry!! I will get back to you later today when I have found my books on needle felting for you.
Firstly though, do you have any of the special barbed needles which are an absolute must in order to bunch all the fibres together. If not, then you can get some from Christie Bears, except there is no post right now. :eek:
Speak to you later,
Sheila :6013:

[Judi Russell]

Hi Lorna, you can always ring me on my office number 01446-790090 and I can talk you through it. Truly, it is not difficult, it just seems that way. You will need some needles (special needlefelting ones) and a dense sponge block, tuck your phone under your chin and give me a ring. :6044:

[shebob bears]

[QUOTE You will need some needles (special needlefelting ones) and a dense sponge block, [/QUOTE]

When I am needlefelting a nose on to a bear, I simply place a wad of raw wool on to the bear's face and needle direct into its muzzle. I just keeping adding or removing the wool until I (or the bear!) feel happy with it.
It seems to work o.k. and the bears never complain. :D

Cheers,
Sheila

[Lorna Evett]

Need to get my needles and the block. Will be in touch next week. Am going to fleece my cat ha ha.

[shebob bears]

Hi Lorna,
Plenty of help on its way as soon as you get your felting needles. I you ever want some wool or mohair for your projects, don't hesitate to ask. I have sacks of it all washed and waiting to be spun or felted etc. So just ask.

Happy felting.
Sheila

p.s. Cat hair felts and spins superbly! But don't tell your cat I said so. :eek:

[Lorna Evett]

Hello Judi

What guage needle do i need:6044: for noses.

I am being really pathetic i know but dont know which to get, or should i get across the board.

By the way Sheila, cat is dodging me, sure he knows what i am after:6086:

Lorna

[Lorna Evett]

needles, blocks at the ready.

Need a good book that explains things simply now.

Oh and a small amount of black wool to experiment with, cat no cooperating.:6086:

[shebob bears]

Hi Lorna, Is it a black nose you are creating and only have every colour except black! :mad: I suggest using any colour to build up the nose to the right size and shape, and then colour it black.

The pens for airbrushing are great, but a felt tip pen will do as well. Put several layers on and let it soak in. When the nose is completely dry, cover it all over with fraycheck or a fabric stiffener and smooth it all over the nose with a small knife. When it dries you have a firm solid nose (the bear, I mean) If you want it shiny, a layer or two of nose varnish will give it a gloss.

Perhaps use a coarse needle to begin with and then use a finer one for small detail. Just remember to push the needle deep into the fibres or you will end up with a nose that is firm on the outside but all squashy in the middle.

I hope this helps Lorna. Look forward to seeing your creation.

Happy felting,
Sheila :6086:

[Lorna Evett]

Don't think i will be doing needle felting.

Tried it, made a heart, forgot to take a photo, stabbed myself a few times:mad: and broke a needle :o

Ha ha, so needles and some dark grey felting wool up for grabs if anyone would like them.

Does not all that stabbing damage the mohair fabric???

:6034:

[shebob bears]

Mohair seems to positively thrive on being stabbed (unlike human fingers!:6022:) When you first start needle felting, it does seem like the fingers take all the punishment, but you very soon get the hang of it and learn to poke at a much slower and even pace. It really works.

Don't give up Lorna, by now you will have learnt to keep fingers out of reach, and success is bound to follow. Judi is pure genius at felting, and I know she will offer any help you need.

Cheers,
Sheila

[Judi Russell]

I agree with Sheila, don't give up Lorna. Felting the nose, start off by using a no 3 needle, (our red one) it gives a good strong foundation on which to build the nose, as the wooltops compact and the shape develops, move on to the blue: no 38 and then finally when you are at the detailing stage use the yellow needle: star no 40. Mohair is a fantastic base to needlefelt onto, it has a firm backing with a nice soft inside for the needle to go into thus enabling the felting to happen more quickly. Once you get the hang of it you will want to needlefelt all sorts of things, even a felted version of the cat!! :6086:

[Lorna Evett]

Well I have one more bear to go this year, so will try his nose, but if i chicken out i will definitely have a go at the next one.

I have to say it was easier to create something than i thought, i watched the utube video, it is fascinating how the wool mats together and creates a form, and you can make fine shapes to it.

So no, i wont give up, I shall try again!:rolleyes:

[shebob bears]

Lorna, I'm so pleased you are not giving up on your needlefelting. I have just been on Google searching for who's doing what in needlefelting, and I came accross a lady who makes the most incredibly lifelike animals and even people! Whenever I get a mental block I shall turn to this website for inspiration. www.wooliedales.com

Happy felting,
Sheila

[Judi Russell]

Great, I am so glad that you are going to keep trying with the needlefelting. I love it, and although I found it hard to grasp the WHY in the begining, now I understand it, it makes me the master, so to speak. I decide exactly what I want it to do, and hey presto it does, fab: cant wait to see your creations, I just know they are going to be great