Beginner's Guide to Needle Felting

Dec 08

This is a lovely book containing six projects (shown on the cover) using hand needle felting. These range from a simple design for card-making to a country scene, complete with fluffy sheep. The projects, as they are aimed at beginners, are all quite simple to follow, and there is a good variety of techniques covered. It is a good introduction to needle felting, especially if you are interested in applying the technique to make dimensional objects. The materials you require are quite basic (needles, wool, foam) so you can get a feel for the technique without having to buy a lot to get started. There is the opportunity for further work (for example, using raw wool to make felt balls, carding your wool to blend colours and using pipe cleaners to create a skeleton shape to work around). Pictures are included of variations of each one, so you get an idea of which direction you can progress in. The emphasis here is on making your first experience of needle felting fun and colourful - and it certainly succeeds. Whoever thought that a felt tea service could be something that you just have to have!

Samantha Packer

* Workshop On The Web *

Jan/Feb 09

Hand needle felting is one of the easiest and most satisfying of the fiber arts. Whether you want to create a small sculpture, a piece of jewelry, or an embellishment for a larger project, this book will get you started. Susanna Wallis begins with a review of the basic materials and techniques. Then she walks readers step by step through six projects. There are plenty of large, easy-to-follow color photos and lots of helpful tips included too. A perfect beginner book.

* Cloth Paper Scissors *

Feb 09

From time to time we mention this fascinating technique in the magazine and it's good to see a book to give us lots of ideas. Once we've mastered the basic technique we can go on to made cards, pictures, jewellery and even a figure from wool. Susanna Wallis demonstrates how to create wonderful pictures and three-dimensional objects using wool and simple needle felting techniques. The techniques are simple and clearly explained with step-by-step photographs.

* Machine Knitting Monthly *

Feb/Mar 10

This is a great introduction to the technique of needle felting. Using a single barbed needle or a multi-needle tool, the methods are all clearly explained and illustrated with clear step-by-step photographs. From country pictures to three-dimensional pieces, you'll discover all the techniques you need to create a wide range of projects.

* Stit