Customer Reviews

Sweet Needle Felts: 25 Projects to Wear, Give & Hug

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A admit it. I was a little skittish about getting this book because of one of the so-so reviews that was posted. So, I decided to check it out from the library first. Well, I MUST get my very own copy ASAP. The book is perfect, in my opinion. There are tons for clear color photos and concise, easy-to-follow instructions. The author has a wide variety of projects employing different needle-felting techniques, and I can't wait to try them all. In addition to the adorable creatures featured on the cover, there are projects to make a stylish handbag, an embellished scarf, a really cool rug (I fear it would cost a fortune to make it, but it IS stunning), and really pretty flowers.

I've never tried needle felting before, but I'm eager to try it after reading this book.

Based on some of the glowing reviews about the instructions and techniques for three dimensional project needle felters, I decided to take a risk and purchase this book. I've been muddling along on my own for a while, experimenting and making mistakes and learning without a book. I've been having fun, but wanted to learn some more techniques, like pose-ability. Based on what other reviews have said, I thought maybe I'd learn some new techniques here.

Plus cover is adorable.

Incredibly misleading, but adorable.

From this point on, when I mention needle felting, or a project, assume I am talking about 3d objects. Dolls, toys. Things like the front of the cover.

My first needle felted project, on my own, was far more advanced than the instructions this book gives you. Here, allow me to save you some money: The instructions on making each needle felted toy in this book consists of:
Make core. (OR, Wrap roving around a bamboo skewer and felt.)
Cover Core.
Make ears.
Attach ears.

It is the same for every project. "Make this piece and attach it." And by 'every project', I mean the three dolls on the front cover (Which do not have their own images. They show you one, and tell you to do it for kitty/bear/bunny.) A doll, a dog, and then three more projects that I have difficulty distinguishing from one another. Some round fruit, or a round mouse, or a round bird. The difference between them being you glue on a piece of fabric to one, and give one ears and the other a beak. The bird doesn't even get eyes, the poor thing. There is also a house, but I'm not sure I would include it as needle felting a figure, considering they are simply having you cover foam shapes with a layer of felt.

There are no real instructions on the best way to attach something. (Such as: you can wrap some loose roving around a joint and use that to strengthen the seam. Leave the area where you are going to attach one piece - like a leg, a bit loose so that it is easier to felt onto the body. The book makes NO mention of incredibly simple things like this. It just says attach.)

In fact, when attaching "delicate parts" like smoke on a chimney, it says to use fabric glue. Um. ...Wait a minute, what? Doesn't using glue to attach pieces kind of miss the point of being able to felt your fabric together?


As a book for PROJECT IDEAS, I suppose it would get five stars.
As an instructional book on how to do anything, I would offer one.

For the flat felted projects, it does offer different ideas. The projects seem to be a bit kitschy, (Felting a giant purple critter onto your kid's shirt?) but some are quite cute, if this is the demographic you're going for. The three toys on the cover are the most sophisticated this book gets. Otherwise it is swirly flowers and yarn pincushions (okay the pin cushion is actually cute.) Again, the instructions for those are incredibly one dimensional. (Cover with roving. Needle felt onto another object. Use a cookie cutter. Those instructions show up in almost every project.)


So... to conclude, I guess I'll reiterate. Project ideas, perhaps for things going to a younger audience: This is the book for you. It'll be cute and offer a variety of things from adding flowers and animals onto scarves and shirts to covering a wallet to give it a felted look. It isn't advanced, and gives projects that you don't really needto know anything more than "poke this with a needle."

Looking to learn something new, or to learn ANYTHING AT ALL about felting dolls/toys/etc: Go somewhere else. Run there, if at all possible, and don't look back.

I was a little nervous about getting this book because I knew I'd never be able to make the little dolls on the cover, but I'm so glad I took a chance and ordered it anyway. The instructions on how to needle felt in the book are great. I bought a beginner's kit awhile ago and was ready to learn more and this really looks like it will be all I'll need. There are some really nice things in the book that I can't wait to make - coasters, a woven basket and felted fruit. There are a few things that are kind of on the "funky" side, like jewelry I'd never wear, but there are plenty of really practical things that I would make for my house or to put on clothing. I think this would be the perfect book for anyone who wants to try needle felting.

I really liked this book! I think the projects are fun, colorful and creative, and in no way "tacky & poorly made" as the previous reviewers said. I think those people may just not appreciate or understand the aesthetic this book is going for. There are a lot of really boring needle felting books out there, with dull projects, and all of the ones featuring 3 dimensional projects seem to focus on grotesque looking hippy-dippy stuff, or just plain blah stuff with really ugly colors/designs. This book is the first one I've seen that has cute and inspiring projects, and I was especially excited by the dolls & animals.
I think the instructions are very clear, considering there are detailed photographs throughout the book, so anything that may be unclear in text is pretty easy to figure out by looking at the picture (or by using some common sense!)

Good Book - But I have read better with cuter projects the project on the cover of this book is the best in this book the rest fall short..................I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping the whole book was full of whimsy as the cover suggested.

Cute pictures and colorful book, not what I wanted. Not enough challenging projects, quite elementary, good for starter or kids.

I have been wanting to buy this book ever since I saw Jenn Docherty on Martha Stewart's show a while back. The crafts on that show were so cute that I just wanted to give it a shot myself. I have to say that the few negative reviews here did give me pause, but remembering what I saw on the show I figured it was worth the risk. Ican now say that it was well worth the risk. The techniques are certainly great to learn and I can see applying this to my own unique creations as I get better.

I'd highly recommend getting the book.

This is a great book and covers basic concepts of needle felting and jointing. I do not recommend this book if you already know how to needle felt unless you just like to look at the beautiful pictures and need inspiration. Basically a book for beginners.

This book has some really cute projects. The bear, birdie mobile, and the Dog on Wheels are projects I'd like to work on soon. Instructions seem easy to follow too.

I was afraid to order this book, based on the negative reviews some gave it ("tacky projects", "weird stuff", "unfinished looking", etc). But the cute little cover made me "have" to order it. I'm really glad I did, because I love the majority of the projects in this book. Let's face it, wearable needle felted stuff is NOT for everyone, and that includes the flower pin, ring, bracelets and belt in this book. But the rest of the stuff is great, and unlike anything else I've seen in similar books (I own several). In fact, that is what I loved about this book - it is the first needle felting book I've seen where the projects aren't BOOORING, fuddy-duddy and frumpy. In addition, this book contains the most thorough and clear explainations of needle felting and related applications. I LOVE it! I was afraid that needle felting meant you could only make traditional designs and objects that weren't too exciting, and that idea was really turning me off to needle felting. But this book got me excited about needle felting again. It's fresh, cute, easy to understand and not only gives you some great project ideas, but also creates some great jumping-off points for designing your own items. It's my most highly recommended book (out of 6+) on this topic so far!