Needle Felting a Teddy - this is how I do mine.

Good Morning All

I know I haven't been in touch for awhile, but I did say I was going to stop just posting for the sake of it and only post when I had something to say. Well I have been busy while I've been away. I launched my dolls range which I guess would really have been something to say, but I've been saying it in lots of other places which you probably all read anyway, so I'm sure you know. If not then you best start following me in Facebook too. The dolls page is called Bees Knees Art Dolls and here's a link so no excuse. LINK.

Well it's doing really well, lots of interest and really nice comments, so I thought I'd do a giveaway to say thank you for all the people following me. And I thought a little needle felt ted would be good, and then I thought well what about Instagram and all the lovely people on there, so I thought I better do two.

Anyhow I made the first ted and posted up a picture to show people and I got asked how he was made, so I thought I pop up a few photos of the process I go though on here. This is not the be all or end all of needle felting and there are loads of other methods, this is just how I chose to make teddies.

 Firstly I take wool roving, a block of foam covered with hessian and some needle felting needle, I use 2 sizes a large to start and a smaller one as the felt starts to form.

 I pull of two pieces 1 small and the other around twice the size, for the head and body, and pull them around a bit. Then I start to poke, turning the piece very regularly so it doesn't just go flat,

 Once its a small round ball, I concentrate pokes in the center to start a muzzle area. Sorry about the colour felt, now I look back at these it's a bit close to the colour of the hessian.

 Then I do the same with the larger piece but make this into a tear drop shape.

Then come ears I take a real small amount of wool, you will be surprised at how small it needs to be, and felt it kinda flat, and round, with wispy bits hanging out the bottom (for attaching to head), just practice really.

Hold them in place on the head, one at a time, and needle felt into place, really poking well into the head so that the loose fibers from the ears go right into the head and hold firm.

 Next arms and legs, pull 4 bit apart, 2 slightly smaller and try to get the arms and legs about the same. Make the arms like sausages.

 Holding a leg piece a bit like a sausage shape, work on one side, trying to make it really look like a sausage by turning very regularly. Then when it starts to take shape turn it 90 degrees and work on the other end, the foot. this give you a nice sharp ankle area.

Don't worry that if the leg seems ridiculous big just keep felting and it will get smaller. 

 Keep an eye on proportions and try to make things even, again practice helps

Next take some embroidery floss and sew on a muzzle and mouth, hiding the fastenings under the muzzle area and loose threads through the head.

Eyebrows can be cute too.

I like to use watercolour pencils, the ones I use for dolls faces to add a little colour to paws and ears and sometimes their belly.

Then using strong thread I attach 2 black glass beads for eyes, threading the cotton through the head coming out the neck area and then down through the body to attach the head to the body too.

Arms and legs are attached by threading using the same method; thread through an arm, the body, the other arm, a bead and back again so the bear is sandwiched between 2 beads, pull hard and tie firmly, hiding threads inside the felt again.

So there you go, amazingly no fingers where harmed in the making of this blog, but remember if you fancy giving this ago the needles are sharp and barbed and hurt on the way in and way out, I have stabbed myself many time and eventually got better at missing me and hitting the felt, but be warned you will hurt yourself. On brighter note though you will end up with a cute little critter that is just yours and unique. And visit YouTube, there's load of really good tutorials out there.

But if you don't fancy trying then tune into my Facebook page or follow me in Instagram for chance to win one of mine, or even think about buying one from me. I will be getting some up in the shop now I realise the demand, originally they where made as accessories to the dolls, (who love them by the way and don't want to let them go.) or if you cant wait, order a custom-made one.

Well that's all from me for now. Next time it will be about the HSF 15 challenge blue, almost done sewing that up. So till next time.
Hugs and Kisses

Ally