Sewing a nose on your handmade bear, bunny, cat etc! Free Tutorial

Often when we are learning a new craft, theres a lot to take in.  With needle felting, for example, you are learning how to judge what fibre and needles you have.  How to know what the right amount of fibre would be for each part.  You'll be learning how to shape the limbs and to thread joint them all together!  So yet another thing you need to learn is making a nice, simple nose.  

Often it's these things that we neglect to learn more about.  We just muddle through when we get to this part and hope for the best.  But the nose is just as important as the eyes and ears, the balance of the face really effects how your little character will turn out, and whether he is stern, cute, lovable, sad etc.

For this tutorial I'm going to take you through making a basic nose, this is how I make most of my noses, I rarely get more technical unless I've made something larger or more deserving of something extra special.  Why get super complicated if you don't have to right?

So to start off with you will already have your head and be ready to start the nose.  I use the finest crochet thread you can find, this is thick and usually I use black or brown, but you can also use embroidery thread (the kind that comes as 6 threads together) and just split it into 3 threads or less.  Thread it onto a longish needle (one that can go right through your head as you will need to do that a couple of times) and use it as a single length with no knot.

In the photo above you can see the needle has gone into the back of the bears head and the point is coming out roughly where the lower bottom corner of the nose would be.  Pull the thread until the end just disappears into the back of the thread.

Here you can see me taking the needle into what would be the top of the nose, above where the thread is coming out.  We will be doing a running kind of stitch, making loops in and out along the nose.

You can see above I have made several stitches, working across the nose from one side to the other.  It doesn't matter at all that there are gaps in the stitching, this is what makes it perfect for a low stress, easy for beginners, nose!

We will fill in the nose by working back across to where we started and we can do this as many times as we need to, just try to make sure that the loops form a straight line on the nose, but you can work diagonally from one area to another when you take the thread into the nose and out where you need another stitch.

Once you have filled in the entire rectangle and you are happy with the size and shape you can finish with your thread coming out at the centre bottom.  This is so we can now make the mouth.

Pull the thread down to check placement, and decide how long you want to make this line.

You can see here that I'm taking the thread into the bottom of this line, and out to the side, where I want the mouth to go.  Pull this through but not too tightly.

Here I have turned the head upside down so that I can take the thread back into the end of the line we just made, and out to the other side to create the second half of the mouth.  This will form a 'Y' shape when we are done.

When you pull the thread through you will have stitched one side and have the thread ready to go back into the bottom of the line again to finish the second stitch.  When you make this last stitch take the needle into the bottom of the line, and right out through the back of the head.

To finish run the needle back and forth a couple of times in the back of the head.  You will take a stitch in exactly where the thread is coming out, bring it across the back of the head in a large stitch and exiting somewhere else on the back of the head.  Do this at least twice so that you have anchored off and not made any stitched.  Pull firmly and cut under tension so that the thread disappears back into the head.

And you are done!  If you have any dimples at the back of the head you can either firmly scratch then with your thumb nail if they aren't too deep, or lightly felt a small amount of fibre into the dent to hide it.  I find that scratching this patch and felting again helps to hide it more.

I hope these tips help and that you find my method for making a nose and mouth useful for your future bears, cats, rabbits and more!

Happy felting!

 

Guess what's new with Little Handfuls

 You won't believe it!  I finally started creating downloadable tutorials!  Now you can just pop on Etsy to buy and download instantly!  So far I have 2 up for purchase but there will soon be so many, it's very exciting!

This is Romeo Rabbit, the first of my downloads, he's one of the most requested creations!

https://www.etsy.com/nz/shop/LittleHandfuls

I also have a limited one for Halloween which is Boo the Ghost Bear!

As we get used to a new normal, working from home and limited access to the things we enjoy, I hope that my little tutorials will bring some fun and joy to my fellow needle felters!

As always, creators can contact me for help and advice as they work along the step by step photos, just like in my books!

Happy felting!

How to Thread Joint your Needle Felted Critters Arms and Legs

 Today I'm sharing a step by step series of photos to help you with your thread jointing.

When we want to make movable joints on a solid felted object we can't add any hardware like cotter pins or plastic joints, we have to 'sew' the parts together.  But we need to do it in a way that allows them to be moved and posed.

When I do thread jointing I like to use dental floss, I've used it for about 20 years and still have my first ever bears.  Floss is easy to tie and very strong.

  First lay your creation out with the parts where you will want them to be when they are attached, so each arm and leg on the side where it will be attached.

Then, taking about 12 inches of floss (I measure it from my wrist to my elbow to save getting a ruler out) thread about 2 inches of the floss through the needle.

Take the needle INTO the inside of the leg, where it will touch the body, and out the other side.

Here you can see the floss going through the leg and the amount of thread left for tying off at the end.  Just leave the end loose for now, about 2 inches or so long.

Next take the needle back into the leg NEXT TO where it came out.  This creates a small stitch but it won't be noticeable.

Come out NEXT TO the tail end of thread on the other side.

You can see here that both threads are now on the 'inside' of the leg and if you put it back next to the body it gives you an idea of where you will now run the thread through the body to attach

Run your needle through from one side to the other.  Check it from all angles to make sure it is sitting straight.

Pull the thread through, the previously threaded leg will pull up next to the body.  Don't pull too firmly.

Now you can go through the other leg and back, just as we did for the first leg.

You can now take the needle back through the body and out at the other side, this should be exiting the body NEXT TO the thread that you can see going in.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE STEPS TO KNOT AND TIE OFF!  DO NOT JUST TIE A KNOT AND CUT THE FLOSS!!  Tie the first half of your knot and PULL FIRMLY.  You should check the placement of the legs now before you finish tying that knot.  Happy with it?  Finish tying the knot but then flip your work over and TIE IT AGAIN on the other side!  We aren't done yet though so DON'T CUT IT YET!

Now take your needle and re-thread the floss back onto it, both pieces.  Once threaded onto the needle, take the point of the needle BETWEEN the leg and the body, push the needle into the body and it can come out anywhere you like, that doesn't matter too much as long as it doesn't come out the other leg!!  :)

Pull it right through, then cut the thread UNDER TENSION, so that means that while you are pulling firmly, you are cutting with your other hand.  A bit fiddly but by doing this the end of the thread will go back into the body and you can't see it!  These legs are NEVER coming off! :)

Now do the same for the arms!

I hope you found this helpful.  I get asked all the time how to do thread jointing and it's so hard to explain, you really need to 'see' it! :)

Feel free to send me a message either here or on my facebook page at Little Handfuls

www.facebook.com/littlehandfuls

Happy felting!

It's Giveaway time again!

Hi Everyone!

I realised a few weeks ago  that I was coming up to my 500th bear!  I can't believe I have made so many over the last 7 years!

Co-incidentally I am also up to more than 500 likers on my facebook page so I thought it must be time for a giveaway!

I started a new poll a couple of days ago and (due to the fact that I'm a bit sick and rather foggy) I didn't think to let you all know on here!  The giveaway is being run through facebook, so if you aren't already a 'liker' please join up to my page and have your vote!

What we are going to do is that you all are going to help me design my 500th bear, and then all those who vote at all stages will be entered into the draw to win the resulting bear!

So the first stage is that we have to decide what colour this bear is going to be.  Pop over to the page, check out the album of colour samples and then vote in the poll for your favourite!  I've had a few people who have had problems finding the poll, no idea why that is, so we won't do it that way next time but for now, please try and get a vote into the poll as that is how I will be storing everyones names!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=842602768#!/pages/Little-Handfuls-Mini-Bears/366699465692

I will leave each stage up for vote for a week, the next stage will be posted and I will let you all know when it's ready! :o)

This should be so much fun, we have already had over 40 votes!  Imagine winning a bear you had a hand in designing!!

:o)

Some new friends to meet!

Hi Everyone!

I'm finally updating again!  Sorry it's been so long.  Between the day job and trying to catch up on orders after the shows I got a bit swamped!  I do have a few new friends to show off to you though!



This is Bianca!  She is felted from a gorgeous strawberry and cream merino fibre!
It's just wonderful to touch!

I gave her little rusty red coloured toes and nose which just set her off nicely!  I even had a go at mini knitting again and I think I did ok!

This is Barlow!  He's felted in the most glorious teal colour!  It's a bit different from any other that I had so I had to scoop it up when I saw it for sale at the show! lol  I think the lime sets it off nicely!

Aww, he has those big soulful teddy eyes!

Scruffy was created at one of the shows!  Neat fibre, has rayon in it and was just right for a scruffy little doggie.  This pup is currently travelling around Switzerland with my lovely friend Veronika!

Scruffy has been the start of rather a dogpile, I have a few others to make in his likeness and strangely enough they are all turning out really tiny!  Bit fiddly when it comes to the 4 legs! lol

Well I hope you liked the newbies!  I've made a couple of other things lately but you will have to wait to see those! :o)  I hope to update the adoptions page again soon too and I will pop a note on here when that is done!

Happy crafting and thanks for stopping by!

Show's over and latest work!

Hi Everyone!  I hope you have been enjoying a productive few weeks since I last posted pics!  I've been madly felting away, even though none of my new work made it to either of the shows, I was just having fun anyway! :o)  Anything I make during show time I don't have time to tag and photograph so they just have to wait until next time!

The shows went well, it's always fun hanging out for a whole weekend with friends creating furry little creatures.  During the 3 day show I almost finished 3 creations, the last one just needed a face! :o)  2 have already been given away!

I was thoroughly enjoying making the little girl below though, and was glad she didn't get completed in time to be sold as I wouldn't have gotten to spend any time with her at all!  Helen is felted from 2 wools I blended together myself.  One is a gorgeous silk fibre I imported from Living Felt and the other is a natural NZ corriedale, so soft and fine I could hardly believe it was a corriedale at all! :o)

I love her crumpled trunk and big soft ears.  She has toenails and 'seams' down her body to give her a hand sewn look.  She is wearing a lovely little skirt and sits on a blanket I knitted myself!  I'm not much of a knitter but it actually does look good!  Teeny little needles and fine thread were used!

 Helen can see you down there!

She is quite big, over 4 inches tall and loves to pose with her blankie.  I'm really enjoying having cuddles with her 'cos I know she will find her new home soon, people have been asking after her already! :o)

I hope you enjoyed dropping by, if you ever want to stay in touch with me and my work more please look for us on facebook.  Little Handfuls have their own fan page so you can 'like' us and then see all the hundreds of photos in our albums!  We always love to hear from you too!

Happy crafting!

Just days until the Big Show!

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to pop in before I get too busy and let you know where things are up to for the big craft show coming up this weekend!

I've had so much prep to do, most of the bears were finished weeks ago, but I still had 26 little bears to tag and price.  I also had to buy backdrops, paint displays and decide who goes and who stays!  I find that really hard as I just want to take everyone, but a crowded table doesn't do anyone any favours I have found!  The more bears that are on the table the less they stand out and show their full potential! :o)

So along with doing all those things I have been updating my Little Handfuls website.  I discovered it has been 2 years since I last updated it!  Wow, that went by fast!  So we are about to upload the new pages and lovely new photos tonight, that's Tues evening GMT so if it's after that when you read this go and check it out!!  I would love to say I will remember to drop by and tell you when it's live but I don't think  I will have time!  http://www.mylittlehandfuls.com/

Anyway, I just can't do a post without showing you a new bear, so this is Wisteria, she is sister to Primula who I showed you a couple of weeks ago (she should be there if you scroll down).  I really like this style of bear, their faces are so sweet and fine featured.

Primula is needle  felted from Living Felts merino tops which are in such gorgeous colours this year, you gotta go check them out! http://www.livingfelt.com/



 Isn't she sweet?  It's such a lovely warm purple!

Just look at that face and tell me you're not smitten! :o)

Ok, it's back to the many lists of jobs to do for me!  Guess I can tick off 'post on blog' now huh? lol  I so wish I could meet you all at the show, they say it's a small world but sometimes I could handle it being a bit smaller!

Love to all and happy crafting!

Liza

Big Show Coming Up!

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to pop in and let you know that things are pretty busy here at the Little Handfuls studio!  Lots of new bears, but also a big show coming up in just 2 weeks!  I wish I could meet you all there, but it's here in little 'ole New Zealand and I know most of you aren't! :o)

Those who are, pop down to the Dunkleys show on 1 - 3 July at the Claudelands Event Centre (lovely new building!!) I would love to meet you and share my little creations with you!

Then, later in the month I am lucky enough to have been selected for the Teddies Worldwide online show starting 15 July, so you can ALL come to that one!  I will let you know more info closer to the  time!

For now, here are a few bears that will be at the shows!

 Butternut is needle felted in merino with felted Vest and Hat!    Carlton holds a Lily!

 Flicker is felted from merino/silk, love her gorgeous wings!

 George is a more traditional bear, love the scarf!  Primula has flowers on her paws to match the one by her ear!

Two new friends to meet!

Hi Everyone! Thanks for dropping by again! :o)

Today I wanted to show off two of my new bears, I've made so many lately and just havent had the time to show them all off to you!

So here is Kirby! He is needle felted from gorgeous merino/silk fibre by Ashfords. It's lovely to work with, and the colours are amazing! I really like how he turned out.

His face is a little different, I like the innocent look he has

And his feet have little insteps, quite a neat shape!

Mindy is felted from a lovely soft mauve merino. I set it off with a gorgeous burgandy thread and hairband ribbon.

She is such a lovely sweet little bear, I hope she finds a special home!

I have a lot of other bears waiting for new homes at the moment, but mostly because I have a big show coming up. I intend to fill up my adoptions page mid July after the show is done, so my apologys for not having much on there at the moment!

Happy crafting everyone!