Pretty Little Felts: Mixed-Media Crafts To Tickle Your Fancy [Paperback]

Julie Collings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2008

A pretty little twist on felt

Wool felt offers endless crafting possibilities - it feels soft to the touch, dyes easily, cuts without fraying and sews like a dream. When you combine felt with mixed-media elements such as paper, beads, buttons, lace, glitter and even bits of metal screen, you can make all kinds of magical creations, from zippered pouches and scented pincushions to unexpected jewelry and sweet fairy dolls. Pretty Little Felts includes instructions and inspiration for more than 20 whimsical projects, as well as:

• A helpful techniques section with step-by-step instructions for embroidery stitches, dyeing felt, wet felting beads and deconstructing vintage wool garments
• Numerous variation projects to spark your imagination and inspire you to put your own spin on the author's clever charm bracelets, ornaments, pouches and more
• An extensive resources list to help you find all the materials you need to make your felt and mixed-media creations

Get out your collection of quirky treasures and prized vintage finds and give them new life in your own Pretty Little Felts.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The use of mixed media distinguishes this delightful craft book. Although felt is certainly the base of all the projects, the items made are incredibly diverse, and the materials used even more so. Take, for instance, the vintage powder box, which uses silk flowers and broken necklaces to achieve the uniquely elegant box. Although many of the projects have a vintage flair, there are also more modern designs, especially in the section called “Playthings.” Other whimsically titled sections are “Tickle Your Fancy,” “Nooks & Crannies,” and “Beads & Baubles.” A thorough explanation of felting will be helpful to novice artisans. Any crafter will find something to try—and love—in this charming book. --Mary Frances Wilkens

About the Author

Julie Collings is a lifelong crafter with over 20 years of experience in spinning, dyeing, knitting and sewing with wool. She is the author of multiple kids' craft books and has also worked as a design consultant for Klutz Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (October 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600610900
• ISBN-13: 978-1600610905
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #500,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, Inspiring, and Do-able, October 8, 2008

By 

Jeannine "Jeannine" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pretty Little Felts: Mixed-Media Crafts To Tickle Your Fancy (Paperback)

This beautiful book provides detailed instructions and lovely photographs for making charming fabric art projects. I love to sew, but I have always stuck to clothing. This book has opened a new door for me! Mrs. Collings provides detailed stitching instruction, so that this book is great for sewing novices, too. Each project is uniquely beautiful, from the mixed-media "quiet book" on the cover, to felt bead jewelry, tiny cloth stuffies, precious vintage-inspired angels (reminiscent of those my grandma used to display on the piano at Christmas time!), and so much more. It's a joy to look at, too. This book is perfect for anyone interested in "creating," and it's a necessity for anyone who has stockpiled fabric and felt scraps, vintage baubles, glitter, and buttons!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Tiny Delights, October 21, 2008

By 

Melissa McCobb Hubbell "artist and book lover" (Fairfield Co., CT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pretty Little Felts: Mixed-Media Crafts To Tickle Your Fancy (Paperback)

I have been lucky enough to participate in collaborative art projects with Julie Collings and have seen some of her delightful work in person. Her book, Pretty Little Felts, showcases her unique design sensibility, attention to detail and love of the tiny and the whimsical. Pretty Little Felts shows us how to deconstruct, dye, or felt old wool clothing and transform the recycled materials into sweet little mixed media creations - many of which would make lovely gifts. Even if you are not interested in felting, the techniques, projects and details shown will inspire any craft, textile or mixed media artist.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sewing Season!, October 8, 2008

By 

A. Huff "Amy Huff" (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pretty Little Felts: Mixed-Media Crafts To Tickle Your Fancy (Paperback)

I've always had a deep admiration for sewers but feel like it's not something I can really do. Julie Collings' book has opened the door for me to try my hand at it again with lovely little projects that seem like they would make the perfect gifts. I'm giving it another shot and this book has been a real inspiration.