DIY Easy First Needle Felting Project.mp4

Step 1

Get the base fabric ready. Cut the basic piece of felt or felted fabric. Allow extra to decide exact placement later.

Step 2

Choose an design that is simple. Solid areas of colour are best for a beginner needle-felter.

Step 3

Depending on background colour, sketch basic shape with chalk or pencil. (If transferring image is difficult temporary tacking can be used to plan image)

Step 4

Place base piece of fabric on the felting pad (thick layers of wool blanket or a piece of foam) so that working surface is protected.

Step 5

Pull small pieces of roving from skein and place over areas of design. Using the barbed felting needles poke through the fibres to force them into the background fabric. Repeatedly poke through and the roving will become a flat area of colour. Manipulate and add more; this will build the image.

Step 6

Continue adding where needed. Colours can also be added on top of other colours. Using a pet brush, colours an also be mixed by brushing together. Twist thin strands to make lines.

Step 7

Once you are satisfied with the image you can use the multi-needle tool go over the design to make sure it is well anchored into the fibre of the base fabric. You can also use the single needle to secure any areas that look loose. The fibres should look quite densely flattened on the surface.

Step 8

Use a steam iron press firmly to add extra assurance of embedding into the base. (It is optional to also wet-felt this, see details in this post)