Customer Reviews

Needle-Felting Magic: Easy Machine Techniques and Projects (That Patchwork Place)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've lost track of how many new needle-felting books have come out in the last year but this one really stands out among them. The first thing that tipped me off that there was some new and fun things inside its pages was the cover. A beautiful mix of textures and color and I hadn't even opened the book yet! Margo does a nice job of walking the beginner needle felter through the basics but even an experienced felter will find plenty to be inspired by in these pages. The book opens with a review of materials and includes a needle felting machine comparison chart. There are five projects to get you started ranging from a bag, journal cover and scarf to a very new and unique way to display photographs. My personal favorite is the fluff and fancy pin. I can see making a lot of these to embellish everything from bags and hats to scarves and sweaters. All of the projects are easy to understand with clearly written instructions and diagrams. Although this book is only 32 pages there's plenty in here to be inspired by.

I have been seeking some needle felting books which provide unique ideas. This only partially meets the need. It does discuss various needle felting machine options, both felting specific and sewing machines which have attachments (not all do and those which do are rather costly)which is useful if you are not familiar with them. She talks about dying wool with kool aid which can be fun. Most of the projects are too cutsey. Altho she does have a nice idea for creating a needle felted frame which I expect to try. If you want a small book with some good basic information, this could work. If you are looking for some exciting ideas which either stand alone or can be incorporated into other projects, you should look elsewhere.

First of all if you have not explored the art of needle felting, you need to get this book. Margo's things are GORGEOUS!! They really are unlike anything I have ever seen. This author (through the book) has been my new "muse" to help inspire me to create some really beautiful projects. I have always been interested in needlefelting but needed some direction or a book to inspire me and give me ideas. I have had the the Babylock Embellisher for about a year and there really hasn't been any needle felting books like this up until now. Unlike many other crafts, needle felting by machine is easy and fun and best part is that - THERE ARE NO RULES!! If you don't like something, you rip it off...if somthing doesn't look quite right - take it off and place in another area. It's very therapeutic - and you can totally get "lost" in it. It's very simple once you get the techniques down (which takes about 5 minutes to learn). If I can do this, ANYONE can do this. I found the projects in this book very easy to understand and inspirational, and I will definitely be able to carry the techniques from this book into other projects that I plan to tackle. From the book projects, I have already made the fancy pin and put them on some slippers and gave as a birthday gift and plan on working on the journal cover next. Great book!!!!

This is what I've been searching for, ideas for using my machine felter to do more than punch wool roving into felt.

The author's artistic work transcends the usual "heaviness" of fabric embellishing and felting, and creates a more ethereal, versatile look, applicable to many more textile venues. By following her examples and instructions, it is easy to create lovely items that are as "at home" in warm Florida, as chilly Alaska.

She begins by using her machine embellisher to literally create fabric that is totally original, one-of-a-kind, and gorgeous. Then she uses her fabric to create amazing pieces of textile art, taking the embellishing process "up another notch", making beautiful items. And, she makes it easy to do! I've tried her techniques, and within an hour, made the evening bag project she details in the book. I amazed myself, LOL!

The projects are varied and fun, and the directions and patterns are easy to follow. Margo Duke has written an excellent book, providing both machine embellisher/felter fans and hand felting fans with a new look and new options. I highly recommend purchasing this book. It is a resource of techniques, applications, and projects you will want to keep, and refer back to, often.

After seeing Margo's website & having her first book I was expecting a lot more from this book. This one is far more basic then the first book.

Most of the techniques would be better accomplished with a sewing machine rather than a needle felt machine. Many of the items are going to break the expensive needles on one of these machines.

These techniques are all covered in other better books and far more comprehensively, don't waste your money.

New to needle felting, this book's subtitle caught my eye. I have a sewing machine. Looks like I could use it for some needle-felting techniques. The back cover of this book says "Ready for a new adventure on your SEWING MACHINE?" (Emphasis mine.) Nope. Not true. This book is all about a needle-felting machine. Who knew? So, forget it if you, like me, are trying to find new ways to needle felt using a regular machine. Also, the designs and patterns in this book are fussy, girlie things. Even the Resources list is inadequate. I still can't figure out where the author's favorite water-soluble fabric can be purchased. She gives the product name on Page 8 -- then doesn't list it in Resources. Not much to recommend here.

Easy machine techniques and projects for needle felting make Margo Duke's Needle-Felting Magic an excellent guide for beginners new to the ideas. Beginning projects teach newcomers about the materials and methods using plenty of color photos and very easy project ideas. Sidebars of 'inside secrets' also guarantee successful results without surprises, making this a top pick for any needlework library.

Thank you so much for suggesting this wonderful book when I bought a felting machine. The book is truly amazing, beautifully illustrated, clearly written, and an absolute inspiration! The many "inside secrets" contained in the book are priceless! I love learning without having to learn "the hard way!" Margo Duke is an artist who doesn't mind sharing her wonderful ideas and techniques, and has obviously worked hard to make it easier for the rest of us to enjoy the art of needle felting.

Thank you so much!!

A friend and I worked through the pages and discussed the various techniques listed. We attempted to make the purse and are ready to make the lining and sew them together. Backs and fronts are completed and were lots of fun. We used various fabrics from cottons, sheers, nylon backed, synthetics and various fibers which were natural to synthetic. It was a test to see what would work and what wouldn't. Since we were working together, we discussed the good and bad results with various trims and embellishments.

We're ready to add felting embellishments to further projects and recommend the book for those who don't know where to begin.

This book really gets the creative juices flowing. Even if I don't make any projects that are just like what are in the book, it gives me the desire to stretch my imagination! Her projects are a delight for the eye, and the colors she chooses are so luscious. Yes, the creations are for those people who "think outside the box" and who want to do something out of the ordinary. Just wish that there were many more pages to enjoy!
I hope that there will be another book to follow this one from the author.