Needle felting

[morgaina]

I am thinking about doing a needle felt project with 2 of my classes. Maybe something like a coin/cosmetic/glasses pouch and if it works out a little 3-D animal.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a cushion to place the wool on as it is being felted? Foam is what is suggested but I don't have enough foam for an entire class. I am thinking of several layers of cardboard duct taped together as the backing, I could put together enough of those for a class. Do you think this will work? Any better suggestions?
This will be with the classes I trust to work with sharp needles. But any suggestions are appreciated.
I'm about to take off for work where so can't discuss this further until I return.

Comments

[ornerie.livejournal.com]

one of my books suggests using a new kitchen sponge! that seems like it would work...you want something that can get wet and can take being stabbed without falling apart

good luck!

[whackychick.livejournal.com]

Hi! I've been doing my needle felting on a coarse bristle brush (have you ever seen one of those wee baby brushes with the soft but thick bristles?) this way, you don't get bits of sponge in your project if you are a wee bit overzealous...NOT that I sit there and manically stab at my project and mutter "die! die! die!"...

Needle Felting support

[redbowofdl.livejournal.com]

I've done alot of needle felting at home and in transit and I've tried all sorts of things to back the fabric during the stabbing process. Card board doesn't work because the needle sticks in the cardboard with each stab and really slows down the process and then the carboard starts disintegrating and the bits get pulled into the fabric. What you need is something with lots of air between the supports like a stiff bristle brush and you stab down into the bristles. That works great! A large pore sponge might work or a loofa. I have used a soft white foam block that came as packing for something and it was soft enough that I can stab into it without the needle sticking. EVentually I start pulling up bits of white foam into the fabric. The brushes work the best. They would need to have a flat back so they will sit flat without wobbling when upside down. The bigger the better but even small ones can work if you move the fabric around as needed.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

That sounds very do-able and within my almost spent budget.
Thanks.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

I will look around the brushes area for a possibility.
Sounds like it's in the infants section of the store, is that right?

NOT that I sit there and manically stab at my project and mutter "die! die! die!"...
Some of my students will do just that ;-)

Re: Needle Felting support

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

I also found out rapidly that cardboard is not a good option.
Thanks for your ideas :-)

[whackychick.livejournal.com]

You might want to try the dollar store...

Re: Needle Felting support

[madeileen.livejournal.com]

could the kids bring in their pillows that they sleep on, or cheap pillow blanks at the dollar store?

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

I went there yesterday, couldn't find the brushes, there were some sponges, which I plan to try out. I wish they were a little larger. These are kids so their needling may get a little wild. The Dollar store merchandise changes rapidly, so I'll keep going back.

Re: Needle Felting support

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

I don't think their house staff would let them bring in their pillows. I am going to have to try back regularly at the Dollar store. I went through every aisle yesterday looking for things that might work.