Sunflower and Bees Felt work Part 2.
Making the Bees’ Bodies
The bodies of the bees are made from the leftover yellow felt that was prepared for the sunflower petals. They are partially wet felted and then completed with the dry felting method using a felting needle.
The felting needle used is a no 36 Marino wool felting needle. Needle sizes vary from 42 – 32, 42 being the finest and 32 the thickest. 36 to 38 is a good size for general felting.
These special needles are required for dry felting. They vary in shape and in this video, I use a triangular no 36 felting needle. This specialised needle has small barbs which pull the fibres of the wool when it is pierced. This action causes the wool to become matted and dense over a certain amount of repeated action. In this way, the wool becomes felted and compact objects can be created. The needles are very sharp and beginners should use finger protectors until they become used to the action as a prick can be very painful. You will also need a foam pad on which to work.
Felting needles are fine and break quite easily so I would recommend that you have some spares at hand.
The last video in this series, Part 3. demonstrates how I embroider the flower and the bees.
The felt work is available to purchase at £110.00 inc postage. Please send a request in the comments section below if you would like to purchase the piece.
www.louisejannetta.co.uk
