Have you ever wondered if you need to have a wire armature when needle felting?
In art, an armature is an underlying, unseen, supporting component (usually of wood or metal) for something else.
I taught myself to needle felt by trial and error and had to learn the hard way about many things. The biggest mistake I made early on is giving all my relatives my first needle felted sculptures as gifts. I was incredibly proud of them and it was so fun to give them, but . . . . looking back . . . . they’re not that amazing, kind of embarrassing really. I want to fix them up every time I see them displayed in their homes. Thankfully time and practice has improved my felting abilities and techniques.
The most important thing I learned from that 
experience is that my sculptures legs gave out over time. Their little legs were completely splayed out the next time I came to visit. I had felted them firmly but they couldn’t stay standing forever without something to stabilize them.
I had felted a dog for my brother for Christmas. He was made to look just like my brothers dog and was one of the gifts I was extremely proud of. I found he wasn’t even able to stand on his own the next time I came to visit. I took him home with plans to fix him.
When I got home I found some baling wire out in the shop that I thought would work nicely. I sharpened up one end of a piece of wire and stabbed it into the bottom of one of his paws. With some frustration I managed to get the wire all the way up one leg and into the body. Now getting the wire to turn and go neatly down through the other leg wasn’t as easy. It didn’t work. I ended up cutting off the leg, threading it onto the wire and reattaching it to the body. I noticed right then and there that it wasn’t very fun needle felting with a wire hidden in the wool.
After this experience I noticed some talk on felting forums and social media about wire armatures. I learned after investigating further that it was quite common for an entire wire armature be made of the body before felting. I knew right away that this was something I wanted to avoid! My little experience with felting around wire was not pleasant at all.
The only reasons I could find for felting over a wire armature were; it helped to have a basic shape to start on and that the sculptures could be posable. I knew already that my sculptures were posable enough the way they were. They were very solid, but you could still move their heads and arms and have them stay in different positions. Trying to make the shape of an animal out of wire sounded like way more work than it was worth to me. I had only experienced problems in the legs of my animals and that is how I determined to only use wire where it was needed.
I still use balling wire. 🙂 When the body is very solid and I am ready to add the legs, I go for the wire. I cut a piece of wire, longer than I think I will need, make a point on one end with wire cutters and stab it through the body. I cut them the right length later when I can see how long they need to be. I attach roving at the top of the leg and wrap it around the wire, felting here and there. When there is enough wool on the leg to work with I start adding the detail. It requires some patience to felt around wire, but at least I only have to deal with it on the legs.
I only use wire when needed, not all my animals need wire in their legs, such as the elephants, bunnies etc. The Romney wool that I use felts very densely and stays dense as long as it is felted very firmly.
Do I want my sculptures to be posable?
I work very hard on the details and unique structure of each animal so having them stay in the shape that I made them is very important to me. If my sculptures were to be displayed in any way other than the majestic and proud way I had made them would take away from me as an artist. For this I am thankful they are not posable. I have been around farm animals my entire life, the way an animal is standing lets you know about their overall health.
I have been asked many times about wire armatures and this is my answer. This is how I make my sculptures. If you like working with armatures that is wonderful, if you have found a way to make felting with wire easier that is even better. I know there are many different techniques in felting and as long as they are working keep using them.
In the end, do you need an armature when needle felting? Yes and No. If wire in the legs is armature, yes. 🙂
If you would like to learn more about my needle felting techniques along with detailed video tutorials on every step of the sculpture including working with wire in the legs, you will want to check out my Needle Felting Academy. The Academy is an online community where you can learn advanced needle felting skills through video courses and have fellowship with needle felting artists all over the world. Learn all my techniques and chat with me in the forums. I would love to have you join us! Start making sculptures with detailed realistic legs today!
Okay, I have the wool, I have the tools, now where do I find the courage to start for fear of failing. I hate the thought of wasting wool if it turns out hideous.
Hi Becky,
I have had many things turn out hideous over the years! BUT, the amazing thing with needle felting is you can change it into something else. I have picked up a project that has totally frustrated me in the past and have added wool, cut pieces off etc. until it is a completely different sculpture but one that I am happy with. You don’t ever have to feel like you are waisting wool if your project turns out hideous because if nothing else you can ball it up and use it as the base for your next project. 🙂 I would love the chance to encourage and support you in my Needle Felting Academy Becky! There are video courses in the Academy that are fail proof, easy, frustration free, plus you have me right there if you need to ask a question.
Becky you should put your trust in Theresa, you will never regret it. Good luck with your sculptures.
I’m there with yu Becky! I just did the same. Made my first two items. I picked something that looked Easy first. An owl, no legs, just a round form with eyes, beak, etc. and yeah first attempt HIDEOUS! Lol but it is small, so I did not waste much.2nd attempt was a robin, did not really have the right colors, the breast is a little off center but it looks passable. I even did wire claws. Again, NOT perfect but not too bad. I used a styrofoam piece for body( using less wool!) watched a video that I had to replay numerous times! She went waaaay too fast for this beginner! Ready for another but waiting more colors felt. Good luck! I was scared to try also but I jumped in! PS! Poked myself good with the needle thing twice! Ouch
I can relate! My first attempt was to felt a gnome, but he turned more like a forest troll, so he is Sam, the Not-A-Gnome! He was intended as present, but he is mine forever! He happily lives on the mantel. 😊
I echo Pam. I am 65 and wonder where needle felting has been all my life. I have knitted, sewn and crocheted for the best paper of 55 years. It never have I been more enthusiastic or excited about a craft as I am about this. I have tried a few starter projects and am self taught from tutorials. My one big problem seems to be not having the imagination to just start something of my own creation. I am a little anxious of not getting it right and then losing my enthusiasm. I want to do more at felting and then embellishing as this really appeals but do love 3D figures. Just what is next. I think I must have a cup of tea and have a good think. Thank you for your candid and very helpful thoughts on armature. It has made me think.
I have a needlefelted horse who has been attacked by clothes moth.. is it possible to repair him myself?? clothes moth just seems to go for pure wool, and is a terrible problem in UK..we can no longer use effective moth killers.
To see one’s [bought] sculptures munched is horrible. Cedar balls don’t work as deterrent.
Would hate to have to throw the horse out… 🙁
We haven’t had to deal with that here, but I have done some research on the subject to hopefully prevent it from happening. I would put the horse in a ziploc bag and put it in the freezer, this will kill any bugs on him. Then vacuum the area really well disposing of what you vacuumed. Hopefully that will get rid of them. There are traps you can purchase that will trap the adult moths. That’s about all I know. I hope this helps!
Hi ,love your stuff ,I’m trying to ad shine to my needle felted eyes, how can I get that ,thank you
Andrea
I would love to help you find the answer you are looking for. I have put a lot of thought and research into my blog. You will be able to find the answers to many of your needle felting questions there.
I also have a resource page where I share where I find all my resources for my business, sheep, felting and homeschooling.
I send out valuable felting tips and techniques in my email newsletter.
If you are looking for instruction from me personally you can find me in the Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy. I spend a lot of time there answering questions and giving personal instruction.
Website/blog: https://bearcreekfelting.com
Email Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/Ek25
Resources: https://bearcreekfelting.com/7486-2/
Needle Felting Academy: https://bearcreekfelting.com/teresa-perlebergs-needle-felting-academy/
Thank you for your interest!
Teresa
I always add a “twinkle” to the eyes of all my felted friends by taking a tiny piece of white wool, rolling it tightly and poking it into the black part of eye near the top. Seems to be very effective in making eyes lifelike.
Thank you for this article. There seems to be an obsession on some of the groups I’m in that all animals must have an armature regardless of needing one to support the weight or not. I’m from a clay/wax sculpting background and it drives me mad seeing beginner felters struggling to work out proportions as they feel the need to add armatures to everything having been encouraged by others that it’s the best way! Legs yes; chunky bodies- unnecessary! The reason I prefer sculpting horses and dogs in wool is so I don’t have to use armatures! Keep it simple…
The more I read on needlefelting the more I wonder where it’s been all my life.
I am almost 68 and disabled, I can’t wait to start this fantastic hobby.
Thank you so much for making it so understandable as well as interesting
Teresa – good discussion and I also am self taught after a “basic” introductory class. I seem to felt more miniature critters and it is just easier to work these smaller items without using wire. I have tried and one of the first class projects was to felt a giraffe – he came out cute to me as I had no idea where I was going with it until I called it finished. The hardest part of armature for me is the wrapping technique and I just do not seem to be a “wrapper”! I can stab pretty well and for now am happy felting with simple shapes.
Thanks for sharing your tips! I think one of the greatest parts about felting is that there is no “right way” to do anything – the creativity of each individual felter comes through in each finished projects.
Thank you for this. Nice to know I am not alone. I too am self taught at felting. Anyway, I read your story how you started. It was my story!!! My family and friends have things I have made over the years and I always try to convince them to let me take it so I can fix it? Some do, some don’t. I love it!!!
Love that we have the same story! 🙂
Thanks for these tip and I will try to make it on this way with my next sculpture. I agree your statement and think it is enough to put wire in the legs, because it makes the working more difficult if wire is in the body too. I also tried with pipe cleaners, it works but it makes me not happy…… :O)
Thank you so much for sharing your technique, we beginners very much appreciate it! I am going to try wire legs AGAIN, ugh! lol
I’m an Australian based needle felter, and I use an armature for quite a few of my designs. However, I like your thinking and stance on your reasons for sculpting in the first place. I might try just doing the legs instead of the whole animal. You mention “baling wire”, I’m not familiar with this, can you tell me what it is? Steel, what gauge or thickness, can you use aluminium wire etc?
Thanks for this informative blog.
Tobias of Felt Wicked.
Baling wire is steel and I am not sure the gauge. You can find it at a farm store. My husband is guessing 16 gauge? I havne’t tried aluminum wire.
These are so adorable! So realistic too. I first saw your work on Pinterest and I think they are absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your talent!!
Thanks Teresa, I agree totally. I am just learning so I’m willing to try different techniques. The full-body armature is so frustrating to me. By the time the body is sculpted and I’m ready for the details, I find most of the wire has moved. Chances are, that wire that goes into the head, so you can tilt it, has moved to end up right where you need to put an eye. I also hate wrapping the legs where they join the body. I would much prefer to build the legs separately and connect them to the animal after they have their shape. You didn’t mention that, so I’m wondering if you have tried it? Here I am learning the craft just at a time when the arthritis in my hands is at it’s worst. I need everything easier. Your work is beautifully sculpted and realistic. It’s wonderful of you to share!
Hi Kerry,
I don’t mind the part were the legs join the body as much as I do the skinnier parts in the middle. I have arthritis too, if I find easier methods that help with this I will definitely share them with you. Thanks!
Teresa