Complete Feltmaking: Easy techniques and 25 great projects

by Gillian Harris

Boasting countless benefits and applications, hand made felt is a chunky, durable and non-fraying fabric that can be used for fashion and home projects. With 'Complete Feltmaking', any crafter can learn the art of creating felt with a little fleece, water and soap. This exciting new book covers all aspects of feltmaking, from making simple flat felt to felting 3D shapes, as well as felting knitted work, needle felting and some slightly more advanced techniques such as cobweb felting. Each technique is carefully explained in detail with step-by-step instructions and accompanied by several projects to keep you constantly inspired. From a cheerful polka-dot bag and cozy felted slippers to a whimsical mobile and heart-warming tea cozy, this spirited primer offers a range of projects for beginner and advanced felters. Once the crafter has become comfortable with basic techniques, she/he can graduate to more complex felting techniques in the advanced chapter. This book includes everything you need to bring the highly sought after handcrafted style of felt to your wardrobe and your home.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2006

About the author

Gillian Harris is a designer who teaches feltmaking workshops and sells a range of innovative felted bags from her website. Gillian lives in Surrey, England with her husband and two daughters

Reviews

[Minnesinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's clear to me why a U.S. publisher would want the rights to publish this book from the U.K. It definitely rates 5 stars.

There is something for everyone, organized by type of felting: "Simple flat felt", "3-d shapes", "knitted felting", "needle felting", and "advanced techniques", which includes a "cobweb" felted scarf and a Nuno felted shawl ("Nuno" is a popular Japanese felting technique).

The "full bloom" table topper is simply gorgeous. The "dapper flapper" cloche is tres cool, something I definitely plan to make. Other faves: The "heartfelt rug" (heart-shaped) and "paper chase", a small work of felted art to affix to a folded paper card. (Though not the first time I've seen a felted greeting card, it's good example for those who haven't.)

FYI, this book is listed on the global phenom Ravelry.com. Ravelry does not automatically list all patterns in a book; a record must first be created for each and every pattern, which won't happen if no one has yet made one of the projects. Thus far, the only pattern from this book listed on Ravelry.com is the felted "flirty flower". Which is too bad, because there are so many gorgeous patterns in this book. I suspect that beaucoup projects have actually been and just don't have Rav records yet. So if you're interested in this book, check back often to see if more patterns have been added to Ravelry.

Ravelry is the only website I know of that shows all, or nearly all, of a book's patterns. (Not the patterns themselves, but the names and photos of projects made using said patterns.) You will have to create a Ravelry account if you want to view projects for this or any other knitting/crochet/spinning/felting book on Ravelry, But it's worth it for this opportunity alone.

If you are one of the few remaining souls on Earth who has/have not yet heard of Ravelry.com--and you practice any of the aforementioned crafts--you really owe it to yourself to check out the site. And this book!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting, and told about a different form of felt making then I had seen before, but one of the drawbacks was lack of diagrams. The how to instructions were fine, well written, and easy to understand, but it was lacking for those that are a more visual learner.

[Debora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated! Projects range from skill level: simple to highly experienced with clear detailed directions.
Good mix of felting with needle, knitted projects and recycling of knitted items.

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Complete Feltmaking - Easy Techniques and 25 Great Projects
Author: Gillian Harris
Publisher: Anova Books
Published: 1-29-2014
Pages: 160
Genre: Art & Crafts
Sub-Genre: Needlepoint; Textile Crafts; General & Reference
ISBN: 978190939835
ASIN: B00PPH897O
Reviewed For NetGalley and Anova Books
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 5 Stars


Twenty-five different felt projects, but my favorites were the adorable baby booties and level of easy to medium be more than one project to appeal. Their experience being from easy to medium. Some are quick and easy enough to appeal to the newest of crafters.


Fun and easy, I enjoyed this crafters delight.


My rating of "Complete Felting" is 5 out of 5 stars.


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[Ligaya · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Complete" it is NOT. While the 25 projects are pretty, this book totally falls short. There is no discussion of working with carders or carding machines if you're looking to make bigger projects, no photos of felt made from different cultures, and absolutely NO photos of felt by other artists. Huh? In several projects, there is only ONE photograph of the completed piece (although sometimes cropped differently). The explanation of wool fleece - two pages, large type - is woefully inadequate. The projects themselves, well, I don't need a "Tooth Fairy Pouch" or "Hanging Trout" and frankly, felt does not drape well - shouldn't that be obvious? - so the Nuno Felt Shawl looks funky in a homeless sort of way. Pass on this book.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction. Covers all aspects with excellent pictures. Great for the beginner, like me.