As copies of my book are beginning to make their way out into the world I'm going to periodically share some of my favorite sources for the fabrics and supplies you might want to play with while working your way through the projects. First up, a material I used every single day: wool felt. I love wool felt, and it's more reasonably priced cousin wool-blend felt. It's vibrantly colored, it's sturdy, and it doesn't fray. I wrote a guest post for Craftsy a few months ago about how I cut felt shapes accurately if that interests you.
My local big box fabric store has a very limited selection of wool-blend felt, and doesn't carry 100% wool felt at all, so I source my felt elsewhere. All of the felt I've used for the past few years was manufactured by National Nonwovens. This company is based here in Massachusetts and many of the retail stores, both brick-and-mortar and online, that sell wool felt get it from National Nonwovens. The colors are lusious and the quality impeccable. Buy it retail at Wool Felt Central. They seem to have every color and the prices are pretty darn good.
National Nonwovens provided all the felt I used in the projects in Stuffed Animals. Way back when I was just starting to plan the project they sent me all of their sample cards in the mail. I spent a wonderful few days figuring out what I wanted. This was one of the most exciting activities ever and it was the beginning of a great relationship, too.
I've been sewing samples for National Nonwovens' Quilt Market booth ever since. I made butterflies when they did a spring theme and then I made hibiscus flowers for an island theme. This year Stuffed Animals' official release date is just before spring Market and I'm really excited that the book will be displayed in their booth! I won't be there, but my toys will hang out and represent me.This week I'm sewing projects from the book using National Nonwovens wool felt including:
the bumblebee, which is a toy I designed to demonstrate what you can do with just basic shapes (two spheres):
some fish, which are very simple softies that begin with just a coloring-book style outline and become the most basic sewing pattern:
and the elephant, a toy that demonstrates how to draw a great underbody gusset (I love a great underbody gusset!). This elephant is going to be pink! I'm super excited about him.
I'm putting together some amazing giveaway prizes to celebrate the
book's official release date, May 7, and you can bet they'll be some
National Nonwovens' felt in the mix, along with some other awesome
goodies. The prize piles are growing so you might want to mark your calendar!
That's a peek into my studio right now. Today I'm putting the eyes on all the toys and then they'll go into the mail. I'm hoping to spot a few photos of them on display at Market on Twitter.
This is good to know, thanks! I just recently started playing with making felt dolls and Im not an expert by all means but I wanted to also suggest BenzieDesign on Etsy. This is where Ive been getting my felt from. She has some great colors and good prices. I love the quality of her felt.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for this recommendation. For anyone who'd like to check out BenzieDesigns on Etsy here's a direct link to the shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BenzieDesign Looks like a terrific source for felt!
Abby
I love the bumblebee! Your book is indeed making its way across the world. Mine arrived here in Australia today and I can’t wait to get started on some serious learning and making and designing!
I’ll be sure to pay the booth and visit and take some photos if I can Abby.
Yay! Plus I really want to see your booth, Jodie! Lots of pictures please!!
Oh wow! The feeling of knowing that this book that I've worked on for so many years is now making its way in the world is really an incredible one. Thank you and I hope you really enjoy it!
Abby, is this felt stronger, more durable, better than the felt you get in craft stores, like Michaels? When I first started sewing, i used felt because it was easy to get. But it pills if played with a lot. So I stopped using it. Please let me know if the National Nonwovens if different.
Thanks!
Hi Courtney,
I've found this felt to be very strong and durable. It's great to work with because it's very even (not thin in spots). I think all felt might pill a bit over time just due to the fibers continuing to move around after repeated play and washing. I would maybe buy a few pieces, sew a softie and see how it lasts. There are certainly more color choices here than you'll find at a regular big box craft store. I hope that helps!
-Abby
Hi Abby,
Love your blog. Wow your book stuffed animals is so nicely written and is in detail . Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. Can’t wait to start making softies. Have to buy some tools and lots of felt.
Thank you,
Amruta
Thank you, Amruta.
Hi,
Just want to know that does the thickness of wool felt matters while making softies? Also let me know how much usually it costs for 1/4 yard 100% wool blend felt or is it worth buying in bundles?
Thank you so much,
Amruta
Hi Amruta,
Most felt is a sorta standard thickness. I have seen really thick felt and that would be hard to sew with I imagine. To find out about cost I would look online or in your local fabric store. If you’re making a softie with lots of colors it might be worth buying a bundle.
Thank you
So cute