Today was the perfect “crafternoon.” I love trying new art forms, and today I experienced
needle felting for my first time. I loved it! I’m a super duper beginner, but I thought it would be fun to share my experience with you.
My two favorite things about needle felting are…
-it’s a fun and easy project to do with kids; my 5 year old daughter had a blast helping me!
-the roving reminds me of the lambswool I used to wrap my toes in when I danced en pointe, my fingers loved handling the soft fibers!
If you have no idea what needle felting is, basically you are adding roving to wool felt, using needles, to add texture and color.
I was inspired by the tutorial for “Passion Poppies” in the book,
Fabric Flowers by Indygo Junction. I am honored to be helping them kick off their brand new awesome book! You can check out the entire lineup of flowers + amazing bloggers who are demo-ing a new flower on the
Indygo Junction blog.
Supplies:
You will need the items in the following two pictures. Everything you see in this first picture is up for grabs as a giveaway at the end of this post!
-needle felting tool
-needle felting mat
-roving (the loose, stringy wool)
-wool felt, 8″ square, main color
-wool felt, 1″ x 4″, accent color
-pom pom or center embellishment
-pin back (or a headband)
-needle and thread
-hot glue gun + flue (opt.)
-template from Indygo Junction’s book (or freehand your own)
Directions:
1. The book has great templates in the back. To create my pattern, I traced it onto some medical paper.
2. Then I cut out my felt pieces.
3. Then, I cut 9 pieces of the roving, and 2″ long and 1/2″ wide.
4. Here’s where the fun began. After carefully placing the roving, I let my daughter use the tool to felt the wool into place. It probably takes about 10-30 stabs to work the fibers in.
5. Continue working all the way around the flower. If there are empty spots, you can fill them in later.
6. Take out your needle and thread, and figure out where to make the pleats. I didn’t use chalk to mark the fold lines, I just eyeballed where to fold and sew. (I love Madeira thread).
7. Sew all the way around.
8. Once your pleats are finished, you can add more roving in the bare spots.
9. Cut slits into your 1″x4″ piece of wool. Create a running stitch, and pull the thread, securing a knot at the end.
10. Hand stitch that to your flower.
11. Hand stitch your center pom poms or other embellishment.
12. Attach the felt circle backing, and the pin. I hot glued these both, but you could certainly stitch them as well.
Clip your flower to a jacket, purse, headband…. whatever makes you happy!
I loved this new art form, and I can’t wait to learn more!
If you know if any good sites or books that teach needle felting techniques, I would love to know about them.
I was going for a “feathered” look on this flower, but the more I look
at it, the more I’m not sure my color choices work well together….
hmmm, just sayin’.
Giveaway closed.
**And the winner is #5, Lady Dragon!
Giveaway Time!!!
Do you want to try your hand at needle felting? Cool!
Enter for a chance to win the following items…
-a copy of Indygo Junction’s Fabric Flowers
-needle felting mat
-needle felting tool
-roving
To Enter:
2. Leave a comment on this post, telling me how you follow and leaving an email.
write it like this: familyeverafter at gmail
*Giveaway ends Feb. 21
*US residents, ages 18 or older.
Discount Code:
FFBK7
(expires 5-1-13)
Check out all these other bloggers who are introducing new fabric flowers! You can also have 25 more chances to win! Check the entire blog tour
schedule below to get in on winning! Each of these blogs are giving away
a book and different supplies.
2/2/13 – Indygo Junction Kick Off Post
2/4/13 – Kollabora
2/5/13 – CraftFoxes
2/6/13 – Sewing Secrets
2/7/13 – Princess Lasertron
2/8/13 – Dollar Store Crafts
2/11/13 – Tatertots & Jello
2/12/13 – Family Ever After
2/13/13 – This Mama Makes Stuff
2/14/13 – Amy’s Creative Side
2/15/13 – Today’s Creative Blog
2/18/13 – Lazy Girl Designs
2/19/13 – Skip to My Lou
2/20/13 – The Sewing Loft
2/21/13 – The Crafty Cupboard
2/22/13 – Fishsticks Designs
2/25/13 – Taradara
2/26/13 – Diary of a Quilter
2/27/13 – Craft Gossip
2/28/13 – How Joyful
3/1/13 – Lindsay Sews
3/4/13 – Flamingo Toes
3/5/13 – In Color Order
3/6/13 – See Kate Sew
3/7/13 – Handmade Charlotte
3/8/13 – Sew Caroline
3/9/13 – Indygo Junction Wrap Up Post, Bonus Giveaway & Free Project
