Sunday 18 September 2016

The Natural World Of Needle Felting

I've been wanting to have a go at needle felting for a long time, in fact, Mick bought me a kit for Christmas 2014 which I haven't yet got round to using, but I remember having my interest aroused when I visited Yarndale that year and saw all the lovely creations on display. When I was recently asked if I'd like to review The Natural World of Needle Felting by Fi Oberon and published by Jaqui Small Publishing, I jumped at the chance. I'm so pleased I did.


The first thing I want to say about this book is that it's absolutely beautiful. It has a hardback cover and the title is embossed. It certainly looks as though every detail has been well thought out and the photography by Brent Darby throughout the book is fabulous. Even the inside covers are made use of, depicting delightful autumnal scenes with fallen leaves, pine cones and pretty little needle felted acorns in an assortment of colours.


As a newbie to needle felting, I feel this book will be a great help to me. The first part starts right at the very beginning explaining What is felt? The first chapter is entitled Tools, Equipment & Techniques and has various sections about Wool, Needles, Getting Started, Adding Colour and Wirework, amongst others. It takes you right through everything you might need to know.


It's then on to putting what you've learnt in to practice. There's a page right at the start of the book titled Nature & Nurture, it's about what it was like for Fi Oberon growing up in The Cotswolds. It explains some of the things she encountered on a daily basis, the things she saw and experiences she was exposed to. It's not surprising that she's chosen The Natural World as the subject for the projects in this, her first book. The projects themselves are divided in to four different chapters, Farmland, Polar Regions, Uplands and Coast.


For each project, a list of Equipment and Materials is provided and there's also suggestions for Creating the Set, using a combination of crafts as well as bought and found objects, to reflect the natural habitats of the animal you're going to make. The instructions are given in a step by step way with plenty of clear photographs for guidance.


I'm absolutely enamoured by the little animals that can be created, I think my favourite in the whole book is this Cotswold sheep. How cute is she with her curly fleece.


There's instructions provided in the book to make more than twenty animals, everything from an Ayrshire cow to a polar bear, or what about a red squirrel, an oystercatcher or a rabbit.


Reading through this book has given me the confidence to have a go at needle felting myself. The projects are graded from one dot to three by level of difficulty and there's plenty here for a beginner to choose. This hedgehog is graded at two dots, a project to have a go at once you're a little more confident. Who knew that there's specialist hedgehog fabric which can be sourced online.


A project for the more advanced is this owl which has been given three dots for the level of difficulty.


Wait a minute, I've seen that owl somewhere before. Yes, I'm right. Looking back at my Yarndale 2014 post, I'd admired Fi Oberon's owl there.


I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it's given me lots of inspiration, I shall definitely have a go at needle felting myself. Eleanor's done a bit in the past and she's also expressed an interest in having a go at some of the projects in the book. If you've ever thought you might like to have a go yourself, I can thoroughly recommend this book. Even if you've had a go in the past, I'm sure there'd be lots of projects in the book that would appeal to you.

I received a copy of this book to review, however, all opinions expressed are my own. The book retails for £20 and can be purchased direct from Quarto.

32 comments:

  1. Looks impressive, something that I have never tried but keep thinking I should.

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    1. I'm the same, I'm definitely going to have a go after reading this book.

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  2. These craftworks are great. I am sure you will successfully make one.

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    1. I hope so, there's some beautiful projects in the book.

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  3. Replies
    1. It does. I love how each design is staged, absolutely beautiful.

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  4. An interesting post, and good book review, about a subject that I know nothing about, although I do have a tree and two robins that I think are examples of felting. Flighty xx

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    1. I know very little about needle felting so I'm pleased to have this book, the instructions are very clear and will certainly be a great help to a novice like me.

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  5. What an interesting review. I've never tried needle felting myself, but hope to....someday.
    xxx

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    1. After reading this book, I think I'll be trying it very soon. There's so many things I want to have a go at.

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  6. Looks like such a wonderful book! I've never done needle felting, but my daughter actually got a kit a while back that we have yet to tackle. The great thing about having a crafty daughter is that it gets me doing crafts that would otherwise stay on the "to do" list indefinitely.

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    1. It really is a beautiful book. I hope your daughter enjoys her kit. Eleanor's had three needle felting kits which she's worked on and they've come out really well, she's keen to have a go at some of the projects in the book now.

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  7. I have a kit in my stash, just waiting, one day it will be done

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    1. I'm the same, it's just getting round to doing these things. This book has given me lots of inspiration though, I think I'll give it a go very soon.

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  8. Never tried needlefelting, perhaps i'll mention it at my craftgroup and the laides there can all have a go, will drop the link to this book to the lady who organises everything.
    I'll keep an eye out on your blog to see how you get on, don't you just love that little bunny...

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    1. I think it would be a great craft to try with a group. The bunny's so cute, isn't it, they all are actually.

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  9. This looks like a well thought out book with good photos that help when following instructions. The author's love of nature which inspires her needle felting creations must be interesting to read about. The creatures look adorable and realistic. I'm sure you'll enjoy the craft and making the one from your kit.

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    1. It's a great book, it would make a super gift for anyone interested in the craft. I've seen the kit I've got made up a few times by different people and the results are brilliant so I just hope that I can do it justice too.

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  10. I have tried needle felting, it is harder that it looks. The book looks fantastic. Good luck!
    Meredith

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    1. Eleanor's had a go at it before and she didn't find it too difficult, though she probably chose easy projects. I'm hoping this book will help me on my way, it's certainly got lots of easy to understand instructions in it so it should be easy to follow.

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  11. Your review makes me want to rush out to the studio and get out me needle felting supplies - but as it is Monday morning, laundry and food shopping have to be done first!!

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    1. It's so annoying that life gets in the way of the fun stuff sometimes, isn't it. I've just done a pile of ironing and I'll be on my way to my mum's soon to do hers for her too.

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  12. Those animals are just so beautiful. Imagine having the skills to be able to make them. I look forward to seeing your makes. I think the little acorns are delightful.
    Lisa x

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    1. The animals are really lovely but the care taken in the settings set them off perfectly, it's such a beautiful book. Those little acorns make a fabulous autumn display.

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  13. There was a felting class at the Handmade Fair this weekend, but I was too late for it. They made the cutest little bees of felt!

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    1. That's a shame, it would have been good to take a class. I think it always helps if you've got someone on hand to show you the ropes.

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  14. Looks like a lovely book, I love the look of the little rabbit, so cute. Can't wait to see what you make xx

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    1. It's a fabulous book, I'm spoilt for choice with all the projects it contains.

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  15. It looks a delightful book, and who can resist penguins, rabbits or that lovely owl...

    Happy needle felting

    All the best Jan

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    1. There's some fabulous projects in the book, very tempting to have a go at.

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  16. This looks amazing, what a beautiful book! I love needle felting but am very much a beginner, I'd like to learn more about techniques etc..

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    1. This may be a book for your Christmas list then, it really is a beautiful book, one I'd be very happy to receive in my Christmas stocking.

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