Needle Felting By Hand Or Machine

Machine felting is one of the hottest things in fiber arts, building on the rich history of hand felting. With top sewing manufacturers adding felting accessories to their lines, sewers can look to this new guide to efficiently explain this history of this practice and demonstrate the unique felting techniques which use moisture, pressure and abrasion to bind fibers together. Be inspired by the exciting projects to create felted items for the home, wardrobe and to give as gifts.

5 projects with learn-as-you-go techniques for endless possibilities

Willow Nook Machine Needle Felting "Impressions" is a collection of tips, techniques and patterns for creating beautiful, dimensional and functional pieces with a needle felting machine. Following her previous releases, Willow Nook Machine Needle Felting "Timeless Collection," and Willow Nook Machine Needle Felting "Wool Images," Isabella provides a new perspective about what's possible with felted wool, and explains her innovative approach to felting with a machine, shading with Copic Markers, and embellishing with embroidery and beadwork.

Sheila Smith’s popular book – in paperback for the first time – covers dry-felting techniques using hand-held needles and the embellisher machines. These mess-free techniques open up a range of felt ideas for textile artists. The book includes the use of commercial ready-made needle-punch felt for fashion and design work. And of course, it provides a range of decorative stitching and dyeing methods that can be used to embellish the felt. Colourfully illustrated with inspirational textiles, plus clear step-by-step instructions, the book covers: Laying the Foundations: Use a variety of fibres and fabrics to create exciting cloths that are both beautiful and versatile. These can be layered further – experiment with Bondaweb, Pelmet Vilene and Lutradur – or developed into bags, book covers and other stunning items. Building Texture: Use fast and simple techniques to create impressive effects with the needle punch, from incorporating tucks, folds and tubes to three- dimensional bowls and vessels. Colour and Dyeing: Step-by-step instructions on rapid and space dyeing make it easy to create and assemble beautiful colours to use in your own work. An overview of all the equipment and materials needed, plus an appendix explaining traditional wet-felting techniques. Sheila Smith is an experienced feltmaker who teaches in the UK and around the world, most recentlhy in Australia and New Zealand. Former Chair of the International Feltmakers' Association, she writes regularly for textile and embroidery magazines, including World of Embroidery, Beautiful Stitches, Sewing World and Workbox. She is the author of Felt to Stitch.

In this visually stunning book, Moy Mackay reveals how you too can create beautiful pictures using felt. Characterised by her wonderful use of colour, Moy's work is breathtaking and includes still-lifes, animals and landscapes inspired by the dramatic scenery of the Scottish Borders where she lives and works. Moy takes you through every step of the process, including the materials and tools you need, the feltmaking process itself (which is easier than you'd imagine), and how to put together four fabulous felt paintings of your own. There is guidance on stitching, including both hand- and machine-stitching, as well as how to use colour and introduce texture in the form of different fibres and threads. There are numerous examples of Moy's work through the book, and by the end you will not fail to be inspired to create gorgeous felt paintings of your own. "e;Moy's passionate use of colour and the deep texture created by felting are what draw me to her work. I also like the way that she concentrates on her surroundings for her subject matter - her work is very free."e;-Kaffe Fassett

Get Creative with this Fabulous Cross Between Paper and Fabric. Discover all the wonderful things you can do with Lutradur®-the exciting new fabric that looks, feels, and folds like translucent paper, but doesn't tear or fray. Add luminous color and exotic lacy effects to art quilts, fabric or altered books, mixed media art. Try 27 fun techniques that produce fascinating Lutradur effects. Looking to try something that's fresh, fun, and creative? Wait till you get your hands on Lutradur, the new art material that combines the best qualities of fabric and paper. Lutradur is ready for almost anything-cutting, burning, stamping, painting, dyeing, and sewing are just the beginning! 2009 Forward Book of The Year Award finalist (Crafts/Hobbies Category)

Beautiful Projects to Create in Wool. Needle felting's easy to learn and fun to do! Make and embellish pretty things to wear, bags to carry, funky jewelry, plus pillows, runners, bowls and more for the home. Complete instructions for hand and machine techniques using a variety of fibers. 22 projects with that vintage-cool Indygo Junction look-plus an inspiring gallery from five top designers. Learn a fresh new craft from your favorite designers at Indygo Junction! Creating and embellishing wool fashions and accessories is easy and remarkably fun. Choose or re-use wool fabrics, then add yarns, roving and novelty fibers. You'll learn how to prepare materials, plus techniques for dry and wet felting. Lots of projects show off your skills!