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Kathleen Sep 8, 2006

Hi everyone, I decided I want to give needle felting a try but don't really know too much about it.  I have been looking around on the web and saw this book Needle felting magic by barabara allen.  I'm thinking about ordering it.  I was wondering if anyone has it and did you find it helpful?  I want to try and needle felt a little bear but I would also like to do faces and paws on my mohair bears too.  Is this a good book for needle felting dummies?Thanks

Kathleen

Dilu Sep 8, 2006

I liked it, it gave me enough basics that I could make a bear, without too much damage and be pleased with the out come.

From there I just sort of figured things out on my own, sorry pigmonkeybear......, and keep trying it when every the mood hits.

There are more advanced books out there, one in Dutch that is $95 DOLLARS.....

Several places have kits with basic needles, her book and a small foam sponge thing to help you get started.

http://www.edinburghimports.com/shopping/nf.asp  they have kits and the books

http://www.mielkesfarm.com/flt_ndls.htm    they have needles books and fair prices on the rovings

http://www.purelyneysa.com/

There are a lot of great places to get kits, info etc.....

do a google of needle felting-

goodgollyluck, oh and you know the rules..right?

 

PICTURES

dilu

Chowlea Bears Sep 8, 2006

Judi's class on Nancy Tillberg's site is very good.  Highly recommend it.

Dilu Sep 9, 2006

How could I forget that?!!!  Took it and loved it!    She teaches you how to begin altering mohair bears with a littl needlefelting magic of her own!

I wont say how I did on that.........may he rest in peace.......

Kathleen Sep 9, 2006

Thanks for all the info!  I ordered a kit from edinburgh imports   and I will definitely check out the class. Might get the Barbara Allen book too, have to see what the kit looks like.  I always like to have reference books in my stash.    Thanks again, you guys are great! :hug:

Kathleen

tuppies teddies Sep 9, 2006

I have just started to experiment with needle-felting and am transforming some of my current bears.  Here is one that I have just completed. Do you think he looks like a Sebastian?

This is what he looked like before his make-over.

Jare Hares & Bears Sep 9, 2006

I like the after picture best, not to say that he doesn't look good in the before picture.
The NFing really gives him character.
Smashing job!

Dilu Sep 9, 2006

Lovely!!! Fantastic!!!  The needlefelting really makes a big difference!  Your littleones are so cute!

gollyhugs

dilu

sarahjane Sep 9, 2006

Denise he looks great in the after photo (he looks good before too) Needlefelting definitely gives some more dimension to his face though...do you sew the nose first then needlefelt around it??  That's what it looks like...

Daphne Sep 9, 2006

Densie,
The NFing you did created an adorable face! And the shading added some depth too.
Fantastic job! He's wonderful and I think Sebastian fits him!

Kathleen,
I have Barbara's book. In fact, I teach needlefelting classes and offer that book for sale..... I always sell at least a couple and the feedback I get is wonderful. It's the one I learned NFing from. There are a lot of books out there, it's hard to sort through them and there are so many 'felting' techniques. As far as I know, Barbara Allen's book is the only one dedicated to teddy bears. Once you get the basics you can make anything!!!

tuppies teddies Sep 9, 2006

Yes Sarahjane, the needlefelting is around the exsisting nose but only because I am redoing bears already made.
Not sure if that is the way to do it or nose done after needlefelting.  Any suggestions from the experts?

Thanks all for your comments it is so good for the morale...

Kathleen Sep 10, 2006

Denise, After seeing your bear I can't wait to get my kit and get started. It looks great!!!

Daphne,  Thanks for the book info, it sounds like what I am looking for.   I guess all I need now are some bandaids for my fingers!

Kathleen

kate Sep 11, 2006

Hi Tuppies Teddies,
Like everyone else, loved your makeover!   May I ask what fibre you used for the job?  I want to try a bear with this effect and have bought my needles, sponge and Barbara Allen's book but am not really taken by any of the fibre colours I see (have to buy on-line because we live rurally).  You've gone for what looks like a lovely creamy-beige colour which suits your 'fur' beautifully.  Did you buy on line or were you lucky enough to have a supplier handy?
Cheers
Kate

tuppies teddies Sep 11, 2006

Hi Kate,

I bought the beginners kit from Beary Cheap which had the fibre, needles and instruction book included in the kit.The wool fibre was a mixture of cream, rust black, pink and white shanks. I think it cost me about AUD$35.00.  If you go to Beary Cheaps website they have all sorts of colours to choose from.

I actually got it about 2 years ago but couldn't work out how to make little bears so it has been in the bottom draw.

Glad I didn't throw it,

Won't have time this week to do any sewing as our little 3 year old grandson is coming to stay for a few days, my brother is visiting from interstate in the middle of the week and then Friday night we are having the 9 and 7 year old grandsons staying.
I think it will take me about a week to recover...

tuppies teddies Sep 13, 2006

I am so excited, Sebastian is off to live in the USA.   He was spotted on TT by his new Mum.   

He will be setting of to his new home at the end of this week.

tarnuf Sep 13, 2006

I have been lucky enough to have meet Barbara Allen who wrote needle felting magic. My daughter learnt how to needle felt at the show. Her work at the show was so amazing. I fell in love with this beautiful pink polar bear she made. Barbara is a very friendly lady who is very generous with her secrets of needle felting.

Kind Regards
Tania  

Kathleen Sep 14, 2006

Well, I ordered the book today  as part of a kit with needles, foam block and 6  things ( don't remember proper terminology) of wool.  I ordered from a place called The Felted Ewe.  They are located in California.  Prices and shipping were good and I thought they had alot of colors to choose from.  So now I'm just PATIENTLY waiting and waiting   ok not so good with the patient part. 

Kathleen

Swan Valley Bears Sep 14, 2006

Denise,

WOW,  what a transformation.  I love it!!!  I'm ordering a kit RIGHT NOW!

tuppies teddies Sep 14, 2006

Thanks Patty, I have also ordered some more colours of fibre from Beary cheap in the pastel to bright shades.
I have also used some needlefelting in the synthetic challenge that is currently on the forum.

Fun and stress at the same time as I am certainly challenged by what I am attempting..

matilda Oct 5, 2006

I have the book Kathleen. I gave it to one of my nieces. The book was way too simplistic for me. I was far too advanced for it by the time it arrived.  I did like the way that it is displayed. The instructions I considered well thought out. Easy to understand . And well it is a book for the very beginner.

I'm curious now, did you get the book???

rkr4cds Oct 6, 2006

Hi Denise,

You answered the nose question - that you needled right up to it.

You have at least 2 other options, depending on the nose's original size. If it's not too big to start with, you can place your fiber right over it and needle to make it one seamless muzzle. Then sew a new nose on top or needle felt a cute shaped nose over the muzzle fiber.

Or - cut off the outer layers of your original threads and then continue as above.

matilda Oct 6, 2006

Ok I'm going to say something really radical here!! :redface:

If anyone is really serious about their NFing. Dont buy fibre or needles from business's that dont know what it is they are selling.  Do yourself and your work a favour and buy your supplies from fibre & NFing specialists.
As Bobbie has mentioned over and over. The Fibre that is used is very important to the effect you are after and will determine the eventual out come of your project. Success/Failure.

jazzy bears Oct 23, 2009

Hi everyone,I am new to this forum and am hoping someone can help me.  I started making miniature bears around seven months ago after being retired on ill grounds (diagnosed as suffering from ME/CFS in addition to awaiting back op number 4) and simply love it.  I think I must be doing it right because people are now asking me to make bears for Christmasses, birthdays and other events, but I have always wondered how do you age a bear, for example, make their pawpads look old.  I have searched in vain on the internet but cannot find any tips.  I would be really grateful if someone who is reading my question could help.

Big bear hugs to you all
Jazzy bears
Somewhere in rural Mid-Wales
UK

AussieFelts Oct 23, 2009

Needle Felting Magic is wonderful for beginners and can teach some points that self taught needle felters may not know already.  I have both of Barbara's books and have taken tips from both that have helped with my work.

I agree with Matilda....buy your supplies from people that know what they are talking about.  I will vouch for Beary Cheap though and say that their supplies are great.  Barbara Allen also sells supplies from her website "Cobweb Cottage" and they are WONDERFUL. 

artbyrjandreae Oct 24, 2009

My favorite suppliers are Weir Dolls (weirdolls.com) & Winderwood Farms(eBay id wind4934). They're both located in Upstate New York. Weir Dolls has some great Corriedale wool with tons of different colors.  Bob at Winderwood is very nice and knowledgeable, plus he has all kinds of fiber. Llama and alpaca have natural furry look. Good luck with your felting.