My Needle Felting Secrets!
Over the years I have learned a few things while needle felting that have helped me immensely. I had to learn about them through trial and error but I am looking forward to sharing my needle felting secrets with you to help you in your needle felting journey. I think there are some techniques out there that make needle felting more nerve racking than it needs to be and I would like to change that for you.
These are the 4 things I have found that have made needle felting
- more comfortable
- cheaper
- easier
- and quicker
I have been needle felting since 2006 with the support of a local group of fiber enthusiasts. (we call ourselves the Woolly Women) The Woolly Women have been my biggest fans and teachers at the same time. (You can learn more about my felting journey here.) They have helped me think of ways to speed up the felting process along with many things we have learned together as a group.
So here we go, my top 4 Needle Felting Secrets:
Felting Cushion –
Up until 2018 I used upholstery foam as my needle felting work surface of choice. In 2017 I realized how easy it was to felt on felt and in 2018 I worked with my local woolen mill to come up with a solid wool felting cushion made with local wool. We designed the perfect work surface for needle felting, the Bear Creek Needle Felting Pillow. Trust me, it is the absolute best choice for your work surface and will save you tons of money in the long run because it will last so much longer than foam.
Felting needle holder –
I have tried so many ways to make holding the felting needle for hours and hours more comfortable. I’ve tried wood holders, that feel awkward in my hand and felting needles I’ve dipped in Plasti Dip that slowly fall apart. What I finally found to be the most comfortable is putting my single felting needle in a pen. I remove the guts from the pen, put the needle down in the pen until it comes out the bottom and fill the rest in with packed wool. This turns out to be the most comfortable and easily manipulated tool ever. I highly recommend it! My Favorite Felting Tool Tutorial.
Armature –
Here’s my big secret! I don’t use one, Never have. I get asked this so much and I have heard about tutorials on how to make wire armatures. I can’t imagine how nerve racking it must be to work around wire the entire time you are felting. Making them posable is one reason I have seen to do this. The animals I felt are adjustable enough for me, without the headache. I do put a sturdy wire in the long legs of my animals and some of my antlers and horns. Just one wire though for the legs, after I have made the body. So the only time I have to work around the wire is while felting the legs and antlers. I don’t mean to bash anyone that has been using armatures for years with much success! I just want those that are just starting out to know that this isn’t absolutely necessary and beautiful sculptures can be made without them. (more about armatures) If you would like to learn even more about how I structure my sculptures and get them anatomically correct, join the Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy today and I will be right there to personally guide you.
Speeding up the process –
Needle felting is very time consuming, and any way of speeding up the process is much appreciated. We raise sheep here at Bear Creek and we have some sheep that aren’t as tidy as the others. Their wool is full of hay or not as high quality and not favorable for felting. I use this wool to make the bases for my sculptures. We take this wool and run it through a picker. (a tool that pulls the fiber apart) I ball up the wool and put it in nylon stockings. I throw them in the washing machine with some soap. I wash them in hot water a couple times and in the end I cut them out of the nylons and have nice solidly felted balls. While wet they can be shaped into ovals or flattened to be bases for your felting projects. This may seem like a lot of work but it saves money and time in the end. I share a detailed video of how this is all done as well as how to use them in your sculptures in the Needle Felting Academy.
If you are looking for a project for just starting out in needle felting you will want to check out my needle felting kits. The kits contain everything you need to complete a project complete with wool from my flock of sheep. The kits are designed by myself for beginners. The Needle Felting Academy offers unlimited access to all my video courses for beginners as well as advanced needle felters. The Academy offers a more personal experience where you can visit with me and ask me questions as you work on your projects.
That’s all I’ve got for now! Stay tuned for more helpful needle felting tips.
Learn to Needle Felt the Easy Way!
Join the Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy today!
Joining Teresa’s needle felting academy is a great investment and learning tool. Her clear instructions, coupled with great pictures of her sweet wool creatures, make it easy for beginners, like me, to be successful in our felting endeavors. Recently, I purchased the Dragon Kit and was amazed at all that came with it…2 felting needles, foam, written instructions with pictures, lovely colored wool and a set of glass eyes. With 5 projects now completed and searching for my 6th, it’s safe to say, I’m enjoying every minute of my new felting journey at Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy.
Download my free ebook: Needle Felting Basics
Hello! I am just getting started. I’m trying to read everything I can while I wait for my Sheep kit. I feel calmer just reading about needle felting. So therefore I am looking forward to actual needle felting being kind of a meditation! Haha I guess you can’t get too relaxed or that’s when you may find a needle in your finger. Anyway I am anxiously awaiting my kit and cannot hardly stand it!!! I just want to say thank you to all who share tips, ideas and experience here.
This is a wonderful site and I am very tempted to join your academy ! I am a year into the joys ( and frustration ) of self taught needle felting . Having practiced wood and clay sculpture , adapting this material is fascinating ( and much cleaner ) . My visions for my creations are more human than animal with long limbs , clay hands feet and faces , an armature is pretty essential for the “ poses” and the flexibility I hope to achieve and , generally , I work only in core wool . I do find the wire to be a nuisance so in some cases where the felt is “ fat “ enough I felt the body parts then using a pointed thin ( as possible ) knitting needle I force a channel through the felt then pass my wire through this , then link the arms and legs to the body ? Don’t know if this concept helps anyone else out there ….
I’m just starting out on a new journey – needle felting:
It’s exciting but don’t know which way to start:
To begin a landscape do I begin on a felt sheet ?
I needle felt pictures onto any surface that will allow the needles through (linen, felt etc.) I don’t do wet felting, so all my backgrounds are felted, then I use a multi needle tool to make sure all the background fibres are firmly fixed. I would say for someone starting out, felt would be a good medium to use, or experiment with scraps of linen and wool. Enjoy your journey!!
Hi Teresa, I subscribed to your newsletter, and not sure if I downloaded your free book. Could you please let me know. Thanks.
I saw a photo of a felter on Pinterest, and behind her, her wool was in a clear plastic hanging shoe holder (the one that has a pocket to hold each shoe separately). If I had space , I think this looked like a great idea. Right now, I keep bins with separate colors but have to dump the wool out to see what I want to use. If anyone has any suggestions, that would be great.
I use old hard sided suitcases to store my wool roving and batts. A different case for each color. A blue case for blues, brown case for Brown’s etc. They work well as the wool stays in place, they are portable and easily stacked, and you can store your foam, needles, eyes and other supplies in the pocket. When you open them you can see everything, and it keeps the moths out.
I love this idea Kellie! Thank you so much for sharing it.
I really like your idea of using old hard wood sided suitcases for organizing. May I ask what size of suitcase you use?
I have a stackable Christmas ornament box from JoAnn Fabrics- adjustable dividers, as many layers as you need (you can buy multiple boxes and stack them). I have a small version for tools, eyes, needles etc. These are spectacularly useful.
oi Teresa,adorei as dicas e também sou uma iniciante,gulosa em aprender,gosto de fazer bichinhos para minhas bonecas waldor e estou começando a fazer suas roupinhas e sapatos em feltragem molhada adoro trabalhar com fibras,bjinhos e obrigado
I am extremely new to needle felting. I started out trying to make little balls to attach to acorn caps. I made three balls the perfect size and now I made two that are too big. Is there a way to pull the roving out of the needle felted ball to make it smaller, or should I just put it aside to use in another project later? Thank you very much for your great tips. I am using the leather finger covers as I am sure I would destroy my hands, plus I have lymphedema in my left arm which I use to hold the roving while I needle felt. I don’t need any unnecessary injuries. I am really looking forward to perhaps making a felted snowman for the holidays. But that will have to come after I am better at felting. I am so glad I found your site.
Hi Lisa,
Always start smaller than you think, you can always make it bigger but not smaller.
Maybe turn them into charms, earnings, or a pendant? Or create some critters that need a snack. 😉
Why not make another set of acorns using the bigger balls? Just make bigger caps to fit them, and use them in a completely different arrangement/display, keeping them separated from your original “little acorns”, so there’s no size difference comparison. Or use them for heads for an animal, or, or…..??? I have a lot of eggs and balls set aside from failed projects, but they can still be used for making something new!
So glad I came upon your site! Gotta love Pinterest! GREAT info.
I am just discovering felting & very interested. Haven’y started it yet, so coming across your site is PERFECT because I didn’t even know where to start 🙂
I am hooked (or should I say “needled”) with this craft! I had my doubts if I would be able to handle the wool. Growing up here in Maine, I have been exposed to wool all my life and have had problems of a blistery rash. When knitting, I have to be very careful of yarn content because most yarns create a problem. Recently, I purchased a few kits from you and am currently making my first sheep. I’m not having a bit of irritation with the roving. I was wondering if you’ve heard anything like this before. Possibly the breed of sheep, or some kind of processing in making it into yarn. I also have the problem with Alpaca, when knitting.
I’m clueless, but glad I’m having such good luck. Thanks so much for the idea of using a pen as a needle holder! I happen to have a pen fetish and have a nice collection of well padded pens. Why not take advantage of someone else’s design for comfort, rather than just toss it?!?
-Leanne, Maine
Good evening Teresa
I’m looking at trying to start this great craft having never done this before, and feel blessed to have found this blog.. as there is no one near where I live ( Clacton on sea…England) that teaches this… so I’m trying to go it alone , I’m either crazy or brave.. trying to find what I need to buy to start on my journey, and reading this page makes me feel like I’m not on my own.. enjoying all your tips, I have signed up for your newsletter and will down load your ebook..
Many thanks jason.
So glad to hear you found this helpful Jason! I hope you find many more helpful article here and in my newsletter.
if you haven’t yet then join the academy! I’m a beginner too and she has some amazing videos and projects and all the help you need!
How do you join?
I’m a beginner too. I’ve been ordering things but have yet to start.
Any help is gratefully accepted.
Hi Tina,
I would love to have you in the Academy. Find out more about the Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy here:
https://bearcreekfelting.com/teresa-perlebergs-needle-felting-academy/
Just copy and past the url into your browser or click on “home” above to be taken to the home page and you will see information on the Academy.
Hi. You have mentioned using wet felting techniques with your needle felting? Could you clarify please? At what stage would you do this? Am very interested.
Many thanks,
Natalie
Thank you for asking. I use wet felting at various stages in my needle felting process. It would be difficult to explain how I do it in this reply. What I do offer is a membership community called The Needle Felting Academy. In the community you have access to variety of needle felting courses that I am adding to all the time. The courses range from beginner to advanced. I also share all my tips, techniques and secrets as well as chat with you and answer questions in the forums. If you would like to find out more, here is a link that will give you more information:
https://bearcreekfelting.com/teresa-perlebergs-needle-felting-academy/
I am a beginner and am having a problem knowing what needle size I am working with. I try to see if it is the shape of the picture but can’t seem to see the difference between them. Also, I live in Alaska and order my wool on line or pick some up whenever I am on a trip to the lower 48. This has left me with pits of this and that and I would like to know how to store my colors in a way that is easy to find. Please help me or point me in the right direction. I signed up for your news letter today, and am looking forward to all your tips. Thank you for your help
I try to store my needles in the same place after I use them so that I remember what size they are. I also mark them with fingernail polish or use different holders for them. It is hard to figure out what size they are just by looking at them, I’m not able to do it. If I am unsure I will see how they felt, but this doesn’t always work as they may be worn out already. Hope this helps!
Storing all the wool is still a work in progress for me! I have tried many different ways and right now all the different colors and types are rolled in little balls in a shallow drawer, where I can see them all. If they are a different breed I keep them in a bag with a tag saying what they are. It is very hard keeping it all organized. I would love to here what others do! Maybe I will write a blog post and see what others do as well. Stay tuned! Thanks for joining my email newsletter, I hope you find it helpful!
Teresa
I store my wool in clear plastic containers I get at the local dollar store. I have one for each “group” of colors (1 for red, 1 for blue, etc….) They stack well, you can see the colors through them, and they come in enough sizes you can easily find the right size for the varying amounts of wool. Plus they keep the wool clean. I also use a few to transport the wool I need when working on a project away from home. I have a large craft table I work on, and they stack up along the back so that I can easily reach and use the ones I need.
What a great idea, Tracie! Being able to get to your materials really adds to the enjoyment of felting. Thanks for sharing!
I store my wool in clear, stackable, plastic shoe boxes.
I have just found this page.my hands are crippled with arthritis.And read a lot of people use wire ,which im unable to use.very happy to have found this blog,so helpfull.
I just got into felting and i am now addicted to it. I also felt very solid but the problem i come across is while i am handling my item it starts to get tiny balls (like sweaters get Pilling) does anyone have this problem and how fix it.
I have never had this problem. What kind of wool are you using?
The wool is extra fine merino.
I think this is the first time I have used this for a whole top coat.
I would try out different kinds of wool and see if you continue to have this problem.
Great tips. I use upholstery foam too. I like your core idea with the felted wool. I too have sheep. What I use for core wool is southdown that my shearer sells to me after he has them made into batts. It isn’t great quality stuff but almost packs itself for a tight core. I do run out though and I also teach a lot with young ones and the ball idea would work well. I make my dryer balls that way. The pen idea is good too. I have a needle holder I like for one needle but I plan to try it. When I work with kids I use bits of dowel and masking tape a needle to it. The pen idea would take some collecting but sounds really fine notional. I love your animals! The moose is spectacular.
Thank you for all the wonderful tips, I look forward to your upcoming tips and tutorials.
Do you have any experience adding weights (some sort of mystery beads that feel like Beanie Baby style weights) to your felted sculptures? I saw some at a craft show and they “sat” better than just a wool core. I’d love some suggestions. Love your beautiful work!
Hi Jane,
I haven’t used weights in my sculptures, but I have heard that some do. My sculptures are usually felted to be very solid and so I haven’t had the need to look into it. Sorry I’m not much help in this area. Thanks for asking though.
Teresa
I put a small rock in a bunny’s butt for weight…. the needle didn’t like it, but it worked!
I really enjoyed the tips. I’m learning as much as I can to improve my technique.
Thank you for your tips ,I have only started to needle felt and found them very helpfull.
I like your pen idea and many other ideas. I have been teaching beginning needle felting classes for a year and find so many of your points exactly in line with my opening information.
Each new session starts in a different season so I start woth something simple, pumpkin in October/November, Snowman in December, hearts in Jan/Feb. Now in April I will work on flowers and birds. I will be listing your site in my references. Have you done flat felting? I use the term, painting with wool. I am curious to se if you have done anything besides animals. Also wonder if you have a trick for standing up figured on 2 legs?
Great tips. I especially like the needle in the pen tip. Why didn’t I think of that. This will really help arthritic hands.
I love your site! What a blessing to find. I’m now a beginner and loving this wool roving. Do you happen to know where I can get about 2 pounds of wool for a very low price?
Thank you
I would try Etsy.
I’m just about to make myself a burlap & rice bag cushion to use instead of foam for needle felting. Have you tried this & if so, do you have any comment?
Hi Suzanne, I have not tried using a burlap and rice bag cushion. I would be curious to know what you think after using it!
Thanks,
Teresa
I love the rice and burlap! i just started so I dont have much to compare to but I like it a lot!
I did the burlap bag and the needle broke down the fibers of the burlap. Within a few uses I had rice pouring out. Now I lay a piece of burlap iver my foam which makes it easy to lift the piece away from the foam and I change it out for different colors if wool. That cuts back on unwanted color mixing.
Thanks Genie! I haven’t had a lot of issues with fibers staying in my foam. I can usually just pick out the fibers or switch sides for different colors.
Just a thought, I’ve been using armatures (pipe cleaners really) for several years with no problem. My tip is: I use wool yarn I’ve picked up cheap at garage sales to wind around the armature several times to make my base to felt on. So the first half inch of figure is wool yarn which makes it easier to felt the wool into. I use this instead of core wool I guess. My figures have more heft and solidness because of this. I also use the natural wool to shape the figure and just use my colored wool for the end “coat”. I also like taking my “too dirty ” to use wool and toss in the washer. They make wonderful dreadlocks for my sheep!
Thank you for the tips Terry. I haven’t figured out why a full body wire armature is necessary. I would think even if you wrap yarn around the wire you will still run into the wire with your needle. I am glad it works for you, and apparently many others, but I haven’t justified the headache of working with it in the first place. I wrap the wool roving around the wire when doing legs to have something to work with at the start. Not very much, so as to have room to sculpt. Thanks for the other tips as well!
Teresa
I have been needlefelting for years and it’s always nice to find out how others tackle things! I agree with you about armatures. I am currently tackling the first thing I have ever made over an armature (it’s a human form which needs to be pose-able) and it’s driving me crazy! I keep on stabbing the wire so it’s taking forever. I’m beginning to think it would be easier to start again and just make it extra firm.
Wonderful tips, Thankyou! I am new to needlefelting and really appreciate your ideas.
thanks for the good advice, I need to learn more as I felt more
Thank you so much for your blog and great info! My name is Carol a beginner at needle felting and having so much fun . Not sure if I am doing things right , but pleased with the look I have made a sheep, baby duck,and small bird. Gave a gift of a sheep to a friend for a Christmas ornimant they loved it ! But I want to learn more ! Have not found anyone to work with, just been following tutorials and pictures,I fell hooked on it,,find myself felting ever time I sit down. Would like to stay with you as long as I can to continue to learn more . Thank you again Carol
I am glad you found me Carol! I learned by trial and error and if things are looking good and you are having fun you are on the right track. If you have specific questions let me know. I am always looking for ways to help others with this wonderful art form.
I found your tip about wool balls really helpful and yes it does save a lot of work and money. Many thanks.
I am happy to hear that! I know it made a big difference for me.
I have seen felting kits with leather fingers to protect fingers from stabs of the needles. Have you ever tried these?
I have never tried the leather finger covers. I think they would be awkward to work with. I don’t stab myself with the needle as much as I used to, my fingers have learned on their own to stay out of the way. 🙂
Hi, I regularly use leather finger guards and find them indespensible! Once you’ve got used to having them on your fingers, they’re only used on the hand that’s holding the project so don’t really get in the way. They’ve saved my fingers many times, I wouldn’t be without them!
Would you mind telling me where you got the covers that work…I ordered some on Amazon and the needle went right through
I’ve just started and was destroying the fingers on my left hand. I ordered a kit with plastic covers, and they saved my life. I then ordered separate leathers covers , but they did not stop the needle from stabbing my fingers, so please be careful what you order.
Do you have any suggestions as to how I can find pros to learn from? I don’t feel confident teaching myself or just using YouTube tutorials. I’d love a real live teacher!
I have designed needle felting kits, you can find them here: https://bearcreekfelting.com/product-category/needlefeltingkits/ or join the Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy here:
https://bearcreekfelting.com/teresa-perlebergs-needle-felting-academy/
Karen, I’ve never used the finger protectors but have found a small tool by Clover that is a light green, measures about 6″ and has what looks like a fine wire rake at one end that I have had great success with. I only use it when I’m doing something really tiny (like a carrot nose for a snowman) which is when I found I would be more prone to stabbing my fingers. Good luck and happy felting.
I never use the finger protectors because i worry i would be heavier handed with the needle thinking i was safe. I have learned to be more careful of my fingers lol!