Thursday Tutorial! 31 Days of Creativity
So you think you want to learn to needle felt? Well, here are my basic instructions. All you need is some wool fiber, a needle felting needle or two, and a foam base upon which to felt. Give it a try-you might like it!
Needle Felting Basic Instructions:
Loosen your fibers by gently pulling apart between your fingers. (You must pull the locks apart to open them up to dispel any veggie matter contained in them.) Arrange your fibers in a pleasing design on the foam base. Holding the top of the needle firmly between your thumb and fingers of your dominate hand, use a straight up and down pouncing/jabbing motion to work the fibers together. You MUST pull the needle out of the foam & fibers in the same direction as you inserted the needle or you risk bending or breaking off the needle tip,rendering it unusable. The goal is to hear a faint “squink-squink” as just the tip of the needle penetrates the foam base; the goal is NOT to firmly pierce the foam base. When the fibers appear evenly compacted, gently remove the prefelt from the foam and flip over. Continue to work the needle on this side, and repeat from one side to the other until you can no longer pull fibers apart. Finish your felt as desired, adding beads or stitching.
If you are using an armature, be certain to know where your armature is in relation to the felting needle. The needle is fragile and will break if you strike it against wire, or another immovable object.
Always know where your non-dominate hand is in relation to the needle-the tip of the needle and the barbs on the needle are very sharp and will draw blood
Always “park” your needle in the foam base when not in use-this protects you from injury and the needle from breakage.
Remember to use your elbow as the fulcrum to move the needle through the fibers, NOT your wrist. Take frequent stretching breaks to avoid fatigue.
Most important of all-HAVE FUN STABBING SOMETHING INTO EXISTENSE! Until next time, go FELT SOMETHING!