Thursday 4 October 2012

Needle Felting

OK, my new obsession is...

 ...needle felting.

I expect many guessed from the little peek I showed in my previous post. If not, then today's post title will probably have given it away!

Last Christmas I received a needle felting kit from hubby and he'd also ordered a book which never arrived. Recently I finally bought my own copy of the book and have since been enjoying a new crafting experience.

The above photo is of my first attempt. I took a couple of photos as I went through the process...

...creating a design, cutting a felt square to the required size, laying strands of different coloured roving across to create a sky effect, then jabbing, jabbing, jabbing! I only have single needles, I think a needle holder for multiple needles will be a useful addition to my needle felting toolkit.

More jabbing. Adding the other colours to create features and details. Lots more jabbing!

I then added some beads and turned it into a little lavender pillow by sewing a backing on and filling it with dried lavender. It was to have been for my stall at the nursery social evening but I liked it so much I wanted to keep it for myself. So I made some more...

 ...one with orange beads and one with blue. These have been filled with a mix of cinnamon and cloves and the odd dash of allspice berries and nutmeg for a spicy Christmas perfume.

 Detail.

Well then, a robin might be a nice design for using with the Christmas stuffing mix?

Here they are all together. All have been sold, aside from the one I'm keeping, and I've had requests to make two more, so it looks like they're popular. I'll be making more for the nursery Christmas fair I think.
 
While I was at it I made two Christmas puddings. For what they are they have a surprising amount of work involved in making them (lots of jabbing!). I've seen various needle felted Christmas puddings around on the internet and indeed have even bought one myself (from Vintage Squirrel) and I now appreciate the time and effort that goes into these.

Another pudding shot, just beacause I like them! One sold at the social evening. I'll make a few more for Christmas if I've time.

I'd also made a couple of non-needle felted Christmas pillows. One with crocheted holly and mistletoe leaves and one with an embroidered felt Christmas pudding. These didn't sell, despite being offered at a cheaper price to the needle felted pillows so I'll be sticking to making needle felted ones for now. I like how you can blend the colours and get more artistic effects with the needle felting. I have ideas for more designs buzzing around in my head, can't wait to get some spare time to get going again!


26 comments:

Claire said...

Hey Anne, your lavender pillows are just lovely.....great colours and who can resist a tweet little birdy....
The puds look pretty yummy too. Looks like you're going to be busy whipping up a few more.

Have fun......

Claire :}

Julie said...

What a great new obsession! No wonder people like them, they are lovely. Juliex

Unknown said...

oh my goodness, how fab are they?!?!

June said...

Love the robin and the Christmas puds! What a lovely hobby - wish that I was as creative!
June

Pixie said...

What a delightfully wonderful post....your needle felted birdie cushions are just adorable......what lovely gifties they will make.
Pixie x

topchelseagirl said...

Love the puddings!

Mereknits said...

I love them, I have not tried needle felting yet and I am not sure why, but it looks like so much fun.
Hugs,
Meredith

VintageVicki said...

Love them - I saw Kirsty doing that last Christmas and its something I'd love to try :)

Am sure all the designs will be happily received :)

itsjustperi said...

Oh I do love the puddings , very sweet . You could do loads and make a sort of garland to go around your tree or mantlepiece .

Diane said...

These look so lovely! Mind your fingers with all that jabbing! xxxx

driftwood said...

very lovely! I've made felted puds and fat robins a few times, I make the balls by wet felting in tights in the washing machine, and then needle felt the features. much quicker.

rockinloubylou said...

They are beautiful. I especially love the robin one. You have such a good eye for colour. Please take care of your poor wee fingers with all those repetitive movements though. Isn't there an easier way - maybe felt in the machine and cut to size? Ouchy!

Anonymous said...

How lovely, inspired I think.

Mrs. Micawber said...

Success on your first try! These are lovely.

I've often wondered if it would be possible to needle-felt using a sewing machine and a free motion foot. Tough I suppose you'd have to have a special needle.

Oh, this is such a tempting craft....

Gillian Roe said...

These are brilliant! I like your Christmas Puddings best - so cute and it's looks like they'd just feel really nice in your hand. I've often been tempted with needle felting, but don't need another craft to distract me at the moment! x

Neighborhood Watch said...

How cool! I MUST try this! I love the cheery little robin.

susie said...

O so cute !
NICE work Anne ! Love ALL of it :)

Have a nice weekend !

* said...

Love the puddings....what a great new talent, perfectly timed in making Christmas gifts. I did a coupl of Christmas fayres and scented hot pads went down very well....those christmassy spices are too tempting to resist.

Looking forward to seeing your new projects!

rockinloubylou said...

PS could you put me down for a robin please?

Annie Cholewa said...

Those birdie sachets are gorgeous! I'm not at all surprised they were good sellers :D

pembrokeshire lass said...

Love those robins. They are just so cute. Never thought of felting being used for Xmas things! How lovely. Joan

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