Needle Felting Applique

As I have developed the needle felting to 2dimensional pieces, I wanted to experiment with it's possibilities. 
I am a fan of applique, (layering of fabric to create an image) especially when combined with free hand machine stitching.
With this in mind, I chose the subject matter of Alice in Wonderland, with her little pal there and my usual twist of fairytales.

YOU WILL NEED...

to check  out my blog probably for bits you may get stuck on.  

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needle felt (wool tops / roving)
needle felting needles and handle
foam backing ( i use bit off old sun chair)
pre - felt
sewing machine
fabric and fabric scissors
an idea in mind and colour scheme



TIP
When using fabric, let it be your guide for colour scheme, it can easily get fussy looking..so hold up a scrap next to you wool supplies and see what suits..work from this pile.

Use a decent fabric scissors..life is too short
oh a a few pins to secure thin bits of fabric when sewing.

Step 1:

Draw out the image in pencil on pre-felt
Trace lightly over in marker once you are happy with the placement.
trace out shape you want the fabric, cut and lay out on pre-felt

(you can see the tree branch is over the face..I always leave it until I am stitching in this area and then cut, incase it slips.)

Secure in place with the sewing machine

Step 2:

Here is a close up of the free hand machine stitching...
I like to choose different complimentary colours with the bobbin and thread that accent the fabric
I then use the machine to create lines that I would draw if I was using a pencil.

Here you can see I have used it to create the lines on the bark

Step 3:

Step 4:

FACE

Although it appears a little fuzzy in this picture, the size of the image is twice the size of it's original.
I began with the drakest colours first,
and filled in the rest

If it doesn't look right, pluck the roving out and start again, but be cautious, over working will weaken the fabric and ruin the piece.

I learnt with this piece that the loose dark fibres can sometimes overrule the piece, so i took the fabric scissors and trimmed the fuzz!
I also snipped some stray fibres.

For the hair, I always secure at the roots, and leave some of it loose, you can than adjust it like real hair. 


Background

I put the piece under the sewing machine again at this stage and worked on the line on the branches, The machine stitches over the felt easily and it's a great way to add fine detail like twigs.

Step 5:

FINAL TOUCHES

Again I always suggest distance and time, step away from the piece, hang at a distance, put in a frame, leave overnight, you will see what needs some highlights or contrasts through this process.