Body Shapes And Finishing Touches - Ultimate Guide To Needle Felting In The Felt Hub

How to needle felt a firm head shape – Video tutorial

A short video (only 12 minutes) to help you improve your needle felting techniques.

When needle felting a head (animals or people) it is important to make sure you have a really firm shape. If you have a soft head then when you start to add the features you will distort or flatten the wool.

It is one of the most common mistakes (apart from floppy legs) but very easy to get right. As with all things, practice makes perfect, but needle felting does allow for mistakes because you can just add another layer. Just remember the golden rule: Start smaller and build your shape up and you can add but not take away. If you start too big and have to keep adding you will end up with a head the size of a football and then have to make a body to match! We are now talking life size sheep or giant hares that will just scare everyone, especially the dog or cat…

My best advice: Be patient. Don’t try to run before you can walk. Get the basics right and the rest will follow. Yes, I know your bestie, family member or work colleague wants a sculpture of their dog making after seeing a flower brooch you made? However, anything worth doing takes time. If it didn’t we would all be taking David Bailey quality photographs after an hours tutorial, or be able to put in a whole plumbing system after fixing a leaky tap… Most definitely, very soon we would all be very bored of hearing about each others achievements and stop making the effort.

Happy creating!

Needle felted firm legs – Video tutorial

One of the questions I get asked the most is, “how do I get my legs really firm?” In the needle felting world floppy and saggy legs on your animals are a no, no! They are the finishing touches that add stability and dimension to your animal so don’t spoil it by being impatient and not taking the time it needs to get it right (approx 10 to 15 minutes for each leg). My short, real time video tutorial quickly teaches you how to avoid common needle felting mistakes by showing you the tips and needle felting hacks I have learned along the way. Hope it helps you improve your needle felting skills and remember: You can add wool but not take it away!

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Realistic needle felted eyes in 8 easy steps

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Quick guide to needle felting eyes onto your needle felting projects. This is just one version I like to use and it’s simple, pinky promise! I would recommend a 40 gauge finer needle for this but a 38 is also fine; just make sure the head is firmly felted.

First create your basic head shape (needs to be very firm) which will be a rough egg/oval shape Watch Video Tutorial For Basic Head Shape

Big or small the technique is just the same.

1 – Choose a light brown/orange (you can blend colours to get the right shade) for the first layer and felt on a circle (remember eyes are circles not ovals), to each side of the head. I like to use a photograph of the animal as a rough reference.

Use the same technique for larger projects. This one is a life size Snow Shoe hare.

2 – Roll two really small pieces of black wool between your fingers or use your fore finger and roll in the palm of your hand. Add to the centre of the eye and create a rough circle.

3 – Gently felt onto both eyes until even-ish and smooth-ish.

4 – Add some light into the eye by rolling the tiniest amount of white (no, smaller than that) between your fingers. Place it off centre and felt gently onto the black circle. If it disappears then pop a little more on the same spot. If it looks cross eyed when both eyes are done then remove (with a pin, not your needle) and re-position one of the pieces.

5 – Add some detail around the eye; take a very thin wisp of black/dark brown and felt very lightly around both eyes. Always use a length longer than you need as it will shorten as you poke around the eye. If there is a lose end then trim with scissors.

6 – More detail. This is entirely up to you but I have added some white/light grey to give it a loose finish and character.

7 – If you want to add some dimension you can create a brow by rolling a seed of wool between your fingers. Gently and loosely felt on, just above the eye.

8 – Keep the top layers nice and loose and very gently felted. You should hardly be penetrating the surface of the head for a more characterful finish. That way, if you are not happy with it, you can just tease the wool off (with a pin and not your needle) and start again. Practice makes perfect but there really are no right and wrong results. If you are happy with it then step away so as not to over felt it.

No stress advice: Don’t expect the next one to look the same. It never will!

Please visit the website or Etsy for needle felting patterns, wool supplies, accessories and handmade ready to purchase.

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These are the first eyes I ever needle felted back in 2014 and I still use the same technique. It’s simple and it works.

Needle felted basic shape – Video tutorial

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A simple video tutorial to help you get the basics right before you start your project.

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Needle Felt A Basic Body Shape

March 25, 2018March 20, 202114 Comments

VIDEO TUTORIAL

WRITTEN TUTORIAL

See photographs below:

1 & 2: Start with a long length of wool and roll into a TIGHT rough oval/cylinder shape, stopping and tucking in the ends as you go; to get it really tight, push down into the foam pad or whatever surface you are using. Do not start to poke with the needle until you have rolled half way. If it is loose, unroll and start again. This will save you so much felting time and give more control over the shape.

Top tip: Start with less than you need and add to it as you go; you can add but not take away! Stab the wool as you turn – this is the felting process which tangles and locks the fibres together – keeping the needle straight until the wool fibres start to lock together and it starts to holds its shape. Keep turning as you felt so as not to make dents in one part of the body.

3: Continue to felt until you have achieved the desired shape and size for your project

4 When you have achieved a rough oval shape (the narrower end will usually become the neck of the body) gently roll it between your hands; this helps to smooth and shape the body and covers any deep needle marks.

Tip: If you are using Merino, which is a much finer wool, you will need more wool and usually have more needle marks. It will also take longer to felt. I prefer to needle felt with a more robust wool which is much more forgiving. Some of my favourites are Grey Jacob, Shetland, 56’s English, Swaledale, and Lincoln; all natural and un-dyed. If it is colour you want then Corriedale is a good compromise as it is a blend of Merino and Lincoln and comes in a large range of colours.

Now you have your basic shape, continue to felt whilst turning the wider end and felt it flatter underneath to help your finished animal to sit; the legs and tail (if required) will also assist with this. Your finished body shape should be soft but springs back to shape when you squeeze it.

I have used a dark brown dyed Shetland wool in the tutorial photographs below and 38 gauge start needle (good all rounder and the ones I put in all my needle felting kits). However, this is personal preference and a 36 triangular would also do the job just as well. Tip: The higher the number the finer the needle

Featured photo (top) is light grey natural Swaledale and it is sat on a home made hessian rice bag.

Top tip: Don’t worry if you have created a lumpy look due to over felting in one area. You can fix this by laying a very thin top layer of wool (see below) and gently felting all over that area until it is just secured and lightly felted on. Expect this to happen; you are just learning and you will continue to do this even as an experienced needle needle felter. The beauty of needle felting is that the majority of issues can usually be fixed; the biggest problem is caused by starting with too much wool…less is always more!

Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts website

Lincolnshire Fenn crafts on Etsy

Easy Needle Felting Projects – How to make animal ears

July 16, 2017April 11, 20243 Comments

Navigating through the sometimes fiddly process of needle felting ears, particularly on smaller animals, can indeed present its own set of challenges. My easy needle felting projects – How to make animal ears, is a technique that greatly simplified the process for me. While my initial focus was on crafting fox ears, I quickly realized the adaptability of this method; it can be applied to virtually any flat shape, making the felting experience so much easier, and ensures both ears will be roughly the same size.

This method is particularly tailored for creating ears for a 15cm tall fox, yet its ingenuity lies in its flexibility. This personalised approach is not just limited to foxes but extends seamlessly to the ears of hares, mice, and sheep. It’s a versatile technique, encouraging customisation according to the size and type of your project. Whether you’re aiming to create the alert ears of a hare, the tiny ones of a mouse, or the fluffy ears of a sheep, this method offers a straightforward solution.

How to Make Needle Felted Fox Ears

These ears are for a 15cm tall fox (including the ears) so adapt for your size. Follow exactly the same technique for hare, mouse and sheep ears.

Begin by placing a thin layer of wool on your foam pad. Use the felting needle to outline a triangular ear shape, approximately 3 to 4 cm in height, leaving the base ends loose for attachment to the head.
Fold the sides of the wool towards the centre of the outlined ear. Proceed with gentle felting, frequently turning the piece to achieve the desired size and shape.
Ensure one end of the ear remains unfelted for attachment. Remove any excess wool by gently pulling it away from the base.
Incorporate a few strands of white wool into the design for added detail. Adjust the size and detail level according to preference.
Once the ear maintains its shape, pinch the sides to form a 3D appearance. Continue felting lightly until the shape is stable.
For ease of attachment and symmetry, felt the ears together before attaching them to the head. This simplifies positioning.

Easy Needle Felting Projects – How to make animal ears

Hare Ears

Different shape but same technique.

Are You Making Sheep Ears?

Read my easy to follow, step by step guide here and in ten minutes you will have a perfectly formed pair of ears for your fabulous needle felted sheep.

Moon Gazing Hare

Create a moon-gazing hare by felting the ears to the side of the head and pointing down.

Ready To Start? You will love these as well!

Want to Start needle felting today?

Instantly download a needle felting pattern and get started straight away! On the hunt for inspiring needle felting patterns? There are patterns for all abilities on the website, from nervous beginners to confident needle felters, there is a pattern and video tutorial for you.

Video Tutorial – Easiest ever Needle Felted Sheep

Dive into the world of needle felting with one of my favourite video tutorials: “Easiest Ever Needle Felted Sheep Video Tutorial”! This carefully crafted guide is perfect for enthusiasts of all levels, aiming to demystify the process of creating adorable felted sheep with step-by-step instructions. Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn a new craft or an experienced felter looking to refine your skills, this tutorial is designed to inspire and guide you through each stage of the felting process. While I’m excited about the ease and clarity this tutorial brings to needle felting, I’ve kept my guidance approachable and straightforward, ensuring you can follow along at your own pace. So, why wait? Unleash your creativity and start creating today!

How To Needle Felt For Beginners – Easy Birds Wing

March 22, 2017April 11, 20242 Comments

A quick needle felting tutorial on ‘how to’ make a wing for your needle felted birdies; scroll down for video tutorial. This tutorial is for my Robin but you can adapt this for any bird. It is super easy and, before you know it, you will have a pile of wings just waiting to be stuck to a body.

You choose the finish; I prefer a looser more rustic look but the ‘neat freaks’, like my daughter, would be horrified at the thought so just go with whatever you’re happy with.

Please follow the written instructions and the corresponding photograph numbers. You don’t need much wool at all for each wing and after one or two attempts you will be flying… Aah come on; someone had to say it!

Needle felted robin being held in a persons hand for size comparison

NEEDLE FELTED WING IN 7 EASY STEPS

1 Make a rough paper template as a guide (approx 6/cm) or just ‘draw’ a teardrop shape with your needle.

2 With your hands blend a thin layer of brown, dark brown and a little orange (or whatever colour you choose) and lay on top of your foam block. Cut out one wing template and lay on top of the layer of wool. Use your needle to draw a rough shape around it; poke the needle straight up and down all the way around your template.

2 Remove the wing template and go over the lines you have drawn again; not too deep into your foam block.

3 Fold in the sides and felt gently, following the line of the shape you have created

Needle felted robin on a felting mat with felting needle and wooden felting needle holder

4 Keep turning and felting until it is firm and holds its shape Tip: It should be firm but not bulky

5 Hold the sides of the wing and create a curve by pushing the needle gently and repeatedly along the top centre, being careful not to poke your fingers. Always keep your needle straight or the tip will break!

6 If you want to you can tidy the wing around the edges by pulling the edges over and felting some more. Keep turning and repeating until you are happy with the overall shape. Repeat the procedure for your second wing.

7 Decide how you want your finished wing to look; you can fold the end over for a tidy finish or leave it loose.

Images shows step by step process of needle felting a birds wing.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

Grab your wool and felting needles and felt along with me.

ARE YOU STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Needle felting patterns – including this fabulous robin – are available on the website and Etsy.

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How to: Avoid floppy and saggy legs…

January 10, 2017June 19, 2021

A rough guide to firm legs which, lets face it, is something we all want. The picture shows the hares legs but you can apply this technique to pretty much any felting project. When you have finished you should be able to hold the limb by the loose end and wave it about without any flopping or sags: if you can’t do this then continue to felt and if it gets too thin then add more wool. Golden rule: you can add but not take away!

http://www.lincolnshirefenncrafts.com

how-to-make-legs

HOW TO NEEDLE FELT ANIMALS – ADDING REALISTIC EYE LASHES

September 3, 2016April 3, 20242 Comments

Enhancing your needle felted animals with eyebrows and eyelashes is a breeze and brings an extra touch of charm to your projects. It’s a simple yet effective way to elevate the personality and realism of your creations. Whether you’re crafting a cute critter or a majestic creature, adding eyelashes adds depth and character. So why not give it a try and see how this small detail can make a big difference in your needle felting endeavors?

Easy Eyebrows

Create the eyebrows: Felt a small, seed-shaped piece of wool above the bead to form an eyelid.
Roll a very small piece of wool on the palm of one hand with your index finger to shape the eyebrow.
Gently felt the eyebrow in place just above the eye to complete the look.

Easy Eyelashes

Adding needle felted eyelashes to your creations introduces an additional layer of authenticity, allowing you to customize the level of drama to suit your preference. Whether you aim for a subtle touch or prefer a more striking appearance, the process is straightforward and gives impressive results. Simply adhere to the step-by-step instructions provided below, and you’ll soon be enhancing your needle felting projects with captivating eyelashes in no time at all.

ADDING EYELASHES IS SO EASY!

Take a few very thin strands of black wool and push into the top of the eye, just under the brow, and trim for desired effect.