How to Make a Needle-Felted Snowman
06 December
Have you ever tried, or wanted to try needle felting?
If you aren't sure what it is, it can best be described by what happens when you accidentally wash a wool sweater and have it shrink up to half its normal size and become very thick and dense feeling. Basically, it turns into felt!
Needle felting is felting without using water. Instead, you use a special barbed needle to push the top layer of wool down into the inside layers. Wool roving sticks to itself so with the needles it creates a very dense shape... whatever shape you form it into!
I occasionally like to play around with it, it's so fun to take a handful of wool roving and see a cute little creature come to life.
Today I will show how easy it is to make a simple little snowman.
How to Make a Felted Snowman
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Supplies Needed:
- Felt Roving
- Felting Needles
- Foam Pad
- Quilting Pins or beads for eyes
I also found a great starter kit that has everything you need to get started!
These are the most basic supplies and really all you'll need to get started!
Start by taking a large piece of the wool roving and rolling it up into the basic shape of your item.
Here is my crude body and head.
Now create some long, skinny sausage-looking arms 😀
You can create some definition by drawing an imaginary line on your item (don't actually draw on it!) and using the needles to stab repeatedly along that line. You can add more wool if an area needs more definition or fullness. I added some to one of the arms here.
I made the bottom of my snowman flat so he could stand on his own. Again, I just stabbed over and over with my needles until it was flat!
I made the bottom of my snowman flat so he could stand on his own. Again, I just stabbed over and over with my needles until it was flat!
If you've got someone in your life you are mad at you can take out your frustrations this way... kind of like a voodoo doll! 😂
I created a cute little orange nose and attached it in the same manner. (Note: Be careful with tiny pieces like this, it's very easy to stab your fingers and those needles are S.H.A.R.P!)
Do not knot your thread when you do this, leave both ends hanging out on the same side. You will just tie these into a knot and it will be hidden by his eyes!
I used round-head quilting pins for his eyes. I had them on hand but small beads would work too.
If you are using pins like I did, trim them with wire cutters to make the pins a little shorter so they won't poke out the back of his head. Put a little dab of glue into the indent and then put his eyes in!
I made a little winter scene with a chalkboard shelf and other things I had on hand.
His scarf is just a strip of green wool felt.
I hope that you enjoyed this post. If you did, you might also like these:
Upcycled Screwdriver Snowmen
Repurposed Gumball Machine with Clay Snowman
PIN ME!!
Posted by: Tania | Little Vintage Cottage
at 06 December
Tag:
holiday seasonal
Oh my gosh!! This is the cutest thing ever!! Great tutorial - I've wanted to try felting for awhile. I'm definitely going to be stopping at JoAnn's to grab the supplies. Your tutorial is great and easy to follow and I LOVE the way you've displayed him on that shelf with the book tree, bottle brush trees and banner. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks! For this kind of felting you don't use sweaters though, you would use wool roving. :)
ReplyDeleteTania
Thanks Vikki!! Glad you are enjoying the hop!!
ReplyDeleteTania
lol, thank you! Everyone needs a snowman in their life!!
ReplyDeleteTania
He is so adorable. I don't come across many wool sweaters but I will certainly look so I can give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lauren! I think you'll really like needle felting, it is something you can do while sitting in your favorite chair and just relaxing!
ReplyDeleteTania
Well, I have decided I need that snowman in my life!!! ADORABLE!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is the cutest one yet and what a good idea to give him a heart. I'm really enjoying your 12 Days of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYour little snowman is ADORABLE!!! Great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteHe's adorable Tania! I'm not sure I have the hang of felting. You just poke it with a needle? How can doing that create a snowman? Ha! Yours is so cute & has so much expression. I'm really impressed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janie! He took about an hour to make!
ReplyDeleteTania
Tania, thanks for sharing your snowman. He is the cutest! About how long did he take to make?
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love him too!
ReplyDeleteTania
ha ha! Well they are special needles and there is a bit of shaping and forming as you go but basically yes... poke the wood repeatedly with needles and a snowman emerges! :o)
ReplyDeleteTania
What a cutie! Fantastic idea. I need to try this. Thanks for sharing at our link party!
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteTania
Wow I've never seen felting done like this before. You make it look so easy! Your little guy is adorable. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathleen! It really is pretty easy!!
ReplyDeleteTania
I've never felted before but now want to try it!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely should give it a try! It's very relaxing and fun!
ReplyDeleteTania
Tania, he is absolutely the sweetest!!
ReplyDeleteDelighted to be featuring hime at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather tonight.
Merry Christmas!
Aww, thanks Kerryanne!
ReplyDeleteTania
He looks so cute! I always wondered how felting was done.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYour little felted snowman is adorable, Tania! I've never tried needle felting but feeling inspired. Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday season🎄 and looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us in 2024.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marie! I hope you are doing well, I miss seeing your blog projects. You have a wonderful holiday season as well :)
DeleteHe's super cute Tania!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
Delete