10 Simple Needle Felting Tips that saved me 3 Hours!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video I’ll show you 10 easy time saving tips when needle felting and show you some Christmas needle felting ideas and some non-seasonal ideas using polystyrene ball and laundry dryer balls, such as a Panda or Seal. I’ll also show you needle felting tips for beginners on how to make shapes quickly and easily.
My Downloadable PDF’s giving tips on adding details and tips on needle felting faces can be found here in my Etsy shop:
juliesfeltedfriends.etsy.com
I’d really appreciate it if you are able to purchase a PDF as it would support my channel and enable me to continue to create content like this.
If you do find this video helpful it would mean the world to me if you’d click on the like button.
Details of wool used:
Here in the UK, 'World of Wool' sell some great colours in Carded Corriedale and it’s not that expensive and really easy to needle felt. I’m not sponsored by them, but recently had a very exciting visit to their shop! but that’s a story for another time. In this video I used 'Fox' coloured carded Corriedale sliver to needle felt the chicken's body and white carded Corriedale sliver to make a needle felted ball.
The rest of the coloured wool I used was Merino tops wool.
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UK LINKS TO ITEMS FEATURED IN THE VIDEO, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON (UK Links):
Nooril Tumble Dryer Balls, Pack of 4 XL Organic Wool Dryer Balls for Laundry £7.89 (amazon affilliates link: amzn.to/47iOeqv
***********TOOLS**********
Clover Pen Style Needle Felting Tool - Multi needle holder (3): amzn.to/3FyMgpF
***********Wool***********
40 colours of Merino roving/tops wool: amzn.to/3sMYIzo
Jacob Carded Wool Batts - Core Wool (200 grams - Large), White: amzn.to/3nQK4RT
The Panda Cat was made using this kit:
The Healifty Panda Cat Kit can be found here on Amazon (UK):
amzn.to/3RL420f
***********Needles********
36 Gauge (Thick or Heavy) Triangular Needle (pack 5) (Heidifeathers via Amazon): amzn.to/3DiMxwU
40 Gauge (Medium Fine) Triangular Needle (pack 5) (Heidifeathers via Amazon): amzn.to/3bmO3mp
42 Gauge (Fine) Triangular Needle (pack 5) (Heidifeathers via Amazon): amzn.to/3Byh75n
***********Felting Mat****
Woolbuddy Needle Felting Pad/Mat Large (this is the yellow one, but any colour is fine): amzn.to/3Oo7ASa
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Please note I am an Amazon Associate which means I may earn a very small commission if you purchase any of these items from the above links, this does not cost you anymore. I'd be very grateful if you can support my channel in this way.
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Here are some of my other needle felting tutorials that you might like:
7 Common NEEDLE FELTING MISTAKES you might be making: • 7 Common NEEDLE FELTIN...
Needle Felting cartoon EYES, MOUTHS and FACES : • 5 Tips on NEEDLE FELTI...
5 tips on Needle Felting Eyes, Mouths and Face Details, for Beginners: • 5 Tips on Needle Felti...
Needle felting a bunny rabbit: • Needle Felting Bunny T...
Needle Felting a Fox: • NEEDLE FELTING a FOX C...
BEGINNER'S guide to Correcting Needle Felting Mistakes: • Correcting NEEDLE FELT...
Chapters or Timestamps:
0:00 Time saving Tips
0:41 Tip 1
1:19 Tip 2
2:34 Tip 3
3:30 Tip 4
4:52 Tip 5
6:16 Tip 6
6:46 Tip 7
7:47 Tip 8
8:37 Tip 9
10:43 Tip 10
11:28 Advantages and disadvantages of needle felting on Polystyrene
#NeedleFeltingTutorials #NeedleFeltingForBeginners - บันเทิง
I am not a purest. Some folks would call these tips multi media. I think it's a smart person who uses these tips. But each person has their choice. Thank you for saving me so much time. Your videos are splendid. Thank you. ♥️
Aw thank you, yes I guess they could be called multi media 😊 thank you for your lovely comments, glad you liked the tips and thanks for watching
When you’re up against it felting at midnight on Christmas Eve, nothing constitutes as cheating! 😆
🤣 so very true 😁 many thanks for this and thanks for watching
I'm trying to get finished before then 😂 making an ello worm from labarynth and just realising there's a few things wrong with his face. I never know how hard to let it get or how to get rid of the fuzz that remains. If I want a ball I usually wet felt it first cos it's so much easier takes so little time and wouldn't want polystyrene in anything all getting chopped up as you stab.
The ello worm sounds fab 😁 I love that character from the film 😊 no polystyrene isn't for everyone, thanks for this
I just lead a needle felting felt-along type class…I had 5 ladies and only one of them had ever needle felted before…anyway, when we were done, I made sure to recommend your channel as one of the best beginner and tips and tricks channel on TH-cam! I have learned so much from you and your videos are very entertaining! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge! And for sharing your friends with us too!! 😂
Aw thank you so much for recommending my channel to your ladies, I'm very flattered by this, I'm so glad you've found the videos helpful and entertaining 😁 glad you like my friends 😂 thanks for watching
Working smarter not harder. Works for me!
Thanks for this and thanks for watching
Thank you for the tips! I learnt so much from your videos!
Thanks for this, glad you find them helpful, thanks for watching
I don't know why I never thought of doing this! So helpful and can't wait to try! I always felt like my creations took sooo long to make
Glad you've found it helpful, thanks for watching
Lovely video! Thank you for the tips! Your needle felted assistants provide great entertaining humor. They remind me of Sarafina's Milo. Your technique using the white wool under your panda bear's eyes is brilliant and makes it look so sweet. A tip I'd like to share is my aunt needle felted onto a cheap ball of yarn she tossed into her dryer machine to make herself a DIY dryer ball. Pretty clever!
Aw thank you for your lovely comments, so glad you found it entertaining 😊 glad you liked the pandas eyes, love the tip on putting a ball of wool in the dryer to make a dryer ball, thanks for that and thanks for watching
Nothing is cheating if it helps I have glass eyes and felt sheets .really love this video Merry Christmas xxxxxxxxx
Aw thank you, glad you like it, Merry Christmas, thanks for watching xx
🥰@@juliesfeltedfriends
Not cheating! Art is art!! Love your videos and your voice!
Aw thanks for this, glad you like the videos, thanks for watching
I like all the tips except the polystyrene ball. One of the things I enjoy about this craft is it eco friendly quality. I'm not a purist and do use wires, glue and Angelina and viscose. I feel like the benefits outweigh the negatives with these. 😊
Yes I don't think I'll be using polystyrene balls again in the future, they aren't very eco friendly or as good as the laundry wool balls, but just wanted to explore all avenues, glad you liked the other tips though 😊 thanks for watching
I don't think it's cheating at all. I've done some kits where they specifically have you use felt sheets to create parts of the project. Anything that saves time is a good thing. I love your seal. It came out really cute!
Many thanks for this, good to know kids have used pre-made felt 👍 thank you for your lovely comments about the seal, glad you like it, thanks for watching
I use little polystyrene balls all the time for the heads on my character 😅
As an animator looking at this anything to speed up making a puppet, will help get onto animation quicker 😅
Also I’m felting a puppet as I’m watching lol
Many thanks for this, that's great I imagine it makes them much lighter and as you say speeds up making your puppets, happy felting 😊 thanks for watching
Nice im making ello worm from labaynth and im using merino wool as that's what I have most colours in I've realised the face isn't the right shape and wondering how stiff I can go with things. .and trying to make glossy eyes with a bit of a plastic water bottle as I have nothing else. Any tips to make eyes? I've just used sharpie to draw the eyes and made felt eyes behind them. It's not perfect but it's better than the toys available online....I almost ordered bossety worm till I saw what it really looked like!! I've made mine blue like the bossety worm instead of worm colour. It's a lot of fun but I have to hurry before Xmas! And I want to make a never ending story dragon but I doubt I'll get to that ..
Sounds like you're having fun making this worm 😊 glossy eyes are difficult, of course you can buy glass and plastic eyes, but if you want to make them yourself you could make them out of fimo or polymer modelling clay, then sand them very smooth with fine sand paper and coat with a glossy varnish. But your solution of using part of a plastic bottle sounds really good 👍 I'm hoping at some point to do a video on different types of eyes, so watch this space 😊
@juliesfeltedfriends thanks..the bottle idea didnt work very well but I have found two wooden buttons and just gave them a coat of enamel spray paint so that might work. Or I might be able to put the plastic in a mold in the oven to curve it more. I did make giant eyes with the tops off of milkshake cups and printed eyeballs on the back and filled them in with clear silicone for a giant puppet I made..my puppet master (or teacher mentor) his dad worked at an eyeball factory and he would get all the odd eyeballs with damage..pure glass.. like Hoggle in the labarynth. He made amazing puppets with those eyes ..its all in the eyes. Thanks for the ideas! I might even have some fimo or epoxy around somewhere. Take care!
@@juliesfeltedfriends polymer clay is a good idea. Especially films shiny effect clay. Could use resin too or little glass cabochons
I'm a beginner but started out by using dryer balls for baubles & as a base for cute animals. I've also used felt to create smaller shapes and wool for a sheep's fleece.
I don't think it's cheating at all! It's a creative use of other items and makes the craft more affordable.
Thank you for this, glad you like the ideas, yes I agree that it's a creative use of other items, thanks for watching
This lady has felting down to a science.
Aw thank you for this 😊 I do like an experiment 🥼🧪🔬😁 thanks for watching
I used dryer balls to make Jupiter and Saturn in my needle felted solar system - massive time (and wool) saver. It's definitely not cheating - it's just another useful 'tool' to have in our toolbelt. Same for felted wool sheets!
Love the sounds of your felted solar system, thank you for this and thanks for watching
I just found a great replacement for polystyrene (this way it doesn't break down as much when needlefelting in one area a lot) use yoga blocks!!! The material is great and doesn't break down. I shape it with a Dremel! Currently working on a couple marrionettes
Ooh that's a great tip thanks 😊 sounds like it easy to shape and work on, thanks for watching
Great tips, I might try using some polystyrene balls for Christmas baubles this week! I also want to try felting my dog´s hair. If it works, I want to make some miniature likenesses of our three dogs. (I think my groomer thought I was crazy when I asked him to save the hair for me!)
Many thanks for this, good luck with the Christmas baubles. I've heard of felting with real dog fur but I've never actually tried it, I hope it works for you, I can just imagine your groomer's face 😁 maybe you can show her the results? Hope you have fun felting likenesses of your dogs. Thanks for watching.
I know cat hair works great but dog hair is a bit different, how did It turn out
so glad i found this channel, needle felting used to be my special interest, getting back into it after years! had a similar idea once with wool dryer balls, such a nice shortcut
Thanks for this, hope you have fun getting back into felting 😊 happy felting and thanks for watching
These are some nice tips! I’ve learned from another fiber artist that you can make the core layer felt quicker by tightly wrapping the wool in yarn, it’s a great and time saving tip!
Many thanks for this and for sharing this great tip 😁 I'll have to try that sometime, thanks for watching
I love these hacks, very helpful ideas, thank you 🎉
Aw thanks for this, glad you've found them helpful 😊 thanks for watching
I love your videos theyre so informative and very entertaining.
Aw thank you so much, glad you like them and thanks for watching
Just stumbled across your videos Julie really helpful tips thank you
Thanks for this, glad you found the tips helpful, thanks for watching
It is using your initiative xx
Glad you think so 😁 thanks for watching x
Hacks. These are incredibly helpful hacks, not cheats. 😊👍
Thanks, glad you like them, thanks for watching
I just bought a kit to start felting. This video is coming handy. Thanks ❤
Glad it's helped, hope you have fun felting your kit, thanks for watching
Oh, I'd never thought of using those polistyren balls. But I will try them for sure. Also those wool balls for drier would be helpful. And of course I dont see any of your advices as cheating. It is hust being smart😁 thank you for a great video. And I remember that panda bag from another video that your red friend wearing. 😁
Glad it's given you some ideas and that you don't think it's cheating 😊 yes the panda bag is from the kits review video I did a while back, I've named my red friend Ozzy 😁 thank you for your lovely comments, glad you liked the video and thanks for watching
Wonderful video ! I’ve been needle feeling for a good while myself and still never considered your preparation tip, I use reference images to base my projects and sometimes it doesn’t and translate to needle felting that well 😅 so I’ll definitely keep that in mind !
Many thanks for this 😊 glad you found it helpful, it can be difficult using reference images sometimes can't it, I often get carried away and forget how long all the detail is going to take me 😂 I do find drawing out what I want to do first helps me to think through all the potential difficult bits 😊 thanks for watching
Usefule techniques. There are no rules in crafting.
Aw thank you for this and thanks for watching
Thank you. Work smarter not harder.
Thanks for this and thanks for watching
I don't think it's cheating at all. I think it's clever solutions
Thanks for this, I appreciate that, thanks for watching
I love the Snowflake ❄️
Aw thanks, glad you like it, thanks for watching
I agree with you about using ready made cores except for the polystyrene. Had the same experience of it losing its shape. At times I've used (acrylic) yarn that I know I won't use for crochet. Just wind it up into a ball, soft or firmer as needed. There's always lots of yarn at the thrift (charity) shops.Why use pricey needle felting wool for a core when a ready made will save time and $. Btw, I like the result with the ready made eyes because of how they reflect light. I also use a felting machine with 12 needles for making sheets of felt for projects to cut out. These old fingers can use all the help they can get! Love your little "assistant", too. ❤
Thanks for this, I haven't tried using acrylic yarn, sounds like a good idea 😊 thanks for sharing this. Yes I like the way ready made eyes look, the reflected light does give them more life. I bet your felting machine saves you lots of time 👍 aw thanks, glad you like the 'assistants' 😁 thanks for watching
@@juliesfeltedfriends I've used gold and white wool strategically on the eyes of one owl and it almost looks metallic at a glance on the black pupils. But it's fun to change up and use something out of the box. I was just thinking about cores again. Even cotton yarn would work. Depends on hard and heavy we need it. I can see using a heavier yarn to give some ballast to a figure like an elf's body. I love how forgiving felting is, too. If something like a mouth isn't turning out like I've hoped, I just peel it off and start over. Happy felting and thanks for such a helpful channel. Subscribed!
Thank you for these great ideas, yes I love how forgiving needle felting is, you're very welcome, glad you like it, thanks
I’ve yet to figure out how to produce thin flat felted shapes with a smooth finished surface on both sides - one side always ends up fuzzy because the needle pokes through to the other side. Craft felt squares were my solution too, although I wish I could felt details onto it without running into the same poke-through problem...
Yes it's really difficult to get felt that's flat and thin to look as good as the pre-made felt, and for the colour of details to not show on the other side. But you've given me an idea for an experiment, so thank you for that, I'll see if I can come up with a solution 😊 thanks for watching
I use a hole punch to get small circles from felt sheets.
That's a brilliant idea! 👏 Thank you for sharing, I bet that gets you a nice neat circle 👍 thanks for watching
I’ve seen some needle felters heat up a flat spade like metal tool used in wax working, and press it against the wool. Essentially ironing down all the fuzzies!
Many thanks for this, I did try using a small iron to get rid of fuzz when I created my video on getting a smooth finish: th-cam.com/video/NEjy4q1QwoM/w-d-xo.html But I found it was good for a while but that with a little handling the loose stands sprang back up 😔 so personally I prefer to felt with a fine needle and trim. Thanks for the suggestion though and thanks for watching
I make my own laundry balls by just wet felting them theyre super fast and easy to make just wadge it up with soap and water and roll it around like a meatball and it felts very quickly ... you can pop em in the dryer and tie em in a net to keep fuzz from forming but its super easy and fast.
Oh wow this is really helpful, I've wondered if this was possible and not had a chance to look into it, I might well have a go at this, many thanks for sharing this information and thanks for watching
@@juliesfeltedfriends no worries. Balls are my favourite thing to make. Just wadge it up..if you use a rough wool like corrie where the top is open it's worth needling it a bit to close it over or something you get a crack where it joins if you get me. But a few stabs or just making sure there's a thin layer that covers the seam will do it. Start really lightly in your hands with a big ball and do it real gentle for a while not pressing just rolling it around in your hands and then once the outside is smooth which won't be long you can roll it with pressure ..just like making bread rolls or something. And when the ball has come together and solidified you can make it as tough as you want by pressing real hard. I made them for my dogs as well cos they eat all balls and so ripping up a wool ball won't harm them compared to bits of plastic balls. You can make Christmas baubels as well! Nice and biodegradable!
Aw thank you for this, very helpful, much appreciated
Hello! I was wondering if you thought about trying kits from crafts stores? I don’t know what the UK craft stores are like but here in the US you can find some kits from Daiso or Joann’s. Daiso might be of particular interest since they’re an international company from Japan.
Hi there, many thanks for this, I've just had a look online and I'm struggling to find any Daiso kits here in the UK, I have found some Hamanaka kits from Japan available on Etsy though. If there is a particular kit that you'd like me to review please let me know, and send a link if possible, and I'll see if I can get it 😊 I would like to try to do a Japanese kit so will definitely look into this further 😊 thanks for watching
@juliesfeltedfriends that's an awesome idea for videos!
Ah ok im using merino wool so that explains why its so hard. Any tips for merino wool? I used corrodale in the middle for the form and now covering it in coloured wool ..i am used to wet felting so im getting quite frustrated with how slow the needling is.
Hi there, making a large shape with merino wool can take a long time to needle felt. You sound like you're on the right track with using a thicker coarse wool in the middle to form the shape then covering with coloured wool. However you can get thicker or coarser wool than carded Corriedale, such as carded Jacob wool. Thicker will will felt faster. I do use merino wool to cover my shapes, but you need to use a fairly fine needle and be patient I'm afraid, it does take a lot of felting to get it looking smooth and less fuzzy. You could try watching my video on getting a smooth finish: th-cam.com/video/NEjy4q1QwoM/w-d-xo.html
Also a multi tool holder helps speed things up 😊Hope this helps, thanks for watching
@@juliesfeltedfriends oh my goodness thank you ssoooo much! This is perfect. I only have medium needles unfortunately so that's not ideal but I have been suing a mini teazle to get rid of the huge stab marks and going over it with just the tip then ..its almost finished except for smoothing it out. Thank you so much!!
you can also use more than 1 needle at a time. hold them together, rubber band them or make a handle for multiples with fimo type clay
There is no cheating in art. If you find other techniques to make art that are different from what other people do, especially if it is more simple and easier for you, then do that. Happy felting!
Aw thanks for this, I agree, if you find an easier way why not 😊 happy felting, thank you for watching
I wanted to ask, instead of using polystyrene balls, is it possible to use clay before it’s fully hardened? I’m not sure if it’s possible 😅
Hi there, I don't think clay would work, I haven't tried this but I would imagine it wouldn't grip the wool the same and the holes left from the needles would be very visible. I think why polystyrene works is because the holes made by the needle kind of heal back together which also traps the wool and holds onto it. But of course you could always have a go and test if it works 😊 thanks for watching
Alright, thank you
needles are steel. damp will make them rust. i don't believe clay would be the answer
Cheating is when you get someone else to do it for you ;)
Thanks for this, yes definitely, thanks for watching
Burning off fine fibers with a torch Works quickly
Thanks for this tip, it's not something I've tried, I think I'd be afraid of setting fire to it 😁 thanks for watching
Thanks. I'll be using your ideas and tips! Will save many hours of poor results!
Thanks for this, glad you've found it helpful, thanks for watching
Not cheating at all, its like alls fair in love and war and art lol! My question is do i need specialized tools or are there cheaper DIY ways to do it?
Thanks for this, you will need to buy the specialist needle felting needles, normal needle will not work, but you can get cheap needles and wool on Amazon, however the needles might not work as effectively as needles from a decent craft supplier. Hope this helps, thanks for watching
There are different size needles??? I’m a real beginner, can you tell?
Yes 😁 there are lots of different types of needle too 😊 if you're interested in an explanation of what they all do I'm just planning a new video on the different types and sizes of needles, so you might want to subscribe and change the notifications to 'all' so that you don't miss it, if you haven't already if course 😊 happy felting and thanks for watching
Still felt so not cheating
Thanks, glad you think so, thanks for watching
It is cheating
Question: won’t the polystyrene balls ruin you needles in time?
Thank you for the question, personally I don't believe the polystyrene will blunt your needles, well not any more than stabbing wool would, also some people use polystyrene as a felting mat, and it's used in lots of kits, but I understand if you'd rather not use it, it does breakdown if it's felted a lot one one place, as I mentioned in the video. Hope this helps 😊 thanks for watching