I've been seeing loads of projects on Pinterest and on online tutorials about something called "Needle Felting".
I was stumped!
I'd never heard of it before and had no clue what it was. But something that allows you to make things like this from essentially stands of felt has to be worth a look.
So I went to my online mecca Hobbycraft and had a look at their range. I found this full kit by TV presenter and fellow craft enthusiast Kirstie Allsopp.
Its priced at £20 which when you read the description, seems like good value of money *Even better value for me since I had a gift card* so I checked out and waited patiently for Mr postman to deliver.
When it arrived, I practically skipped to the door. I ripped into the outside packaging and I wasn't disappointed :)
Inside was 20 different colours of felting wool (totalling 200g) ... As well as a booklet, a foam mat, a 7 needle felting tool and 2 extra needles ... All of which, I think, is worth the £20
When I sat down and got the bits and pieces out I was a thrown by the booklet. It was marketed as "Complete with instructions, hints, tips and tricks" but I was a little let down as its not got any instructions other than roll in a ball and press. If I hadn't had a look online before hand, I would have been at a loss as to how to start.
I had looked online however and the use of cookie cutters was on many pages, so I got out a heart cutter as a simple starting point and got going.
I was too into what I was doing to remember to take pictures at each step but its really simple.
I placed the heart cutter on the mat and got a little bit of the purple felt wool. Using the single needle I started piercing the fibres till they stuck together. *I know that sounds totally mental but trust me, it works*.
I started going round the edges and then into the middle. When the wool came to the end, I added the next layer and continued to pierce the felt. I done this with 3 layers, which I felt was thick enough. I lifted the cookie cutter and peeled the heart off the mat *I did panic slightly when it seemed to be stuck but it does come off quite easy*
The bottom of the heart was very "fluffy" so I placed it back in the cutter (base side up this time) and continued to pierce till the stray fibres where down and joined. I took the heart out again and I was very happy with it. A little bit of cleaning round the sides was needed but afterwards I was chuffed with the heart :) *when doing a last wee clean up, watch you don't stab yourself with the needle. I done this twice and they are seriously shape!*
I was so pleased I decided to do another heart, just to make sure I got the hang of it ... I think I did, Don't you?
Another thing I seen a lot of was the use of polystyrene shapes, so out came the craft box and I rooted around for a simple shape. First one that came to hand was a heart ... *I'm seeing a theme here* so I grabbed some pink wool and this time I decided to use the felting tool that came with.
I like the felting tool a lot ... mainly because it lets you cover large areas in a short amount of time, but its also got a guard around the needles so that should one break, its not going to ping up on your face. Plus M was watching me and was desperate to try ... he's got a better chance due to the guard on this tool.
I followed round the heart the same as before, only this one doesn't need extra layers cause its already 3D. I did neaten it up a bit at the end with the single needle in the areas that the tool couldn't quite reach.
When I was looking for a cookie cutter, I did come across the small gingerbread man cutter. Now, I know its July and I'm not one of those folk that are daft in Christmas all year long but I wanted to try some adding some details and this was my best bet.
I really like how it turned out :)
Again I followed the basic principle of layering it up to the thickness I wanted. This time I did 4 layers as I'm planning to give it to my mama for her Christmas tree (she is daft on Christmas) so I wanted it to be 'solid' enough to hold up the festive season.
When it came to the fine details, I used the smallest amounts of white, red and black wool and just kept piercing it into the same area till it stuck and looked how I wanted.
Agent D came home and seen the "Gingy" and was really impressed ... Thinking I'll be making some of our tree this year too now :)
So back to the kit itself ...
I really like it.
There is more than enough wool there for you to make multiple projects. The wool I used was minimal amounts and you don't even notice there is anything missing from the packets. The tool is AMAZING and having the extra needles there makes it easier to do finer details.
My only let downs were the instructions or lack there of but then its simple enough that a quick look on pinterest, you get the jest.
The other let down is there is no yellow wool (which is a primary colour after all). I would have loved to make some flowers and stars but will need to purchase my own yellow unfortunately.
Overall I give it a 4 outta 5
Have you tried any other of Kirstie's kits?
Have you found a different felting kit that ticks all the boxes?