Simply Felt: 20 Easy and Elegant Designs in Wool 
asked by perfect10 on November 20, 2006 4:36 PM
The fundamentals of felting including choosing fibers and colors, making flat felt and boiling felt, and stitching felt are demonstrated in 20 beautiful projects in a range of contemporary colors in this beginner's guide. Projects include a cloche hat, a child's jacket, slippers, delicate scarves, square and inlayed throw pillows, and a long-lasting rug. Each project is presented with simple step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and alternative samples and suggestions that help felters to create their own designs. Felters can bring this highly handcrafted style into their wardrobes and home decor with these simple and beautiful pieces.
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I wanted to purchase this book last year but was informed that the book was too expensive for the information inside. But because there is little to choose from in the felting industry, I decided to purcahse the book anyway. In my opinion, the book is everything I need to get started - great photos - small and large projects - excellent instruction for the beginner.
reviewed by lovieduvie on November 26, 2006 7:21 PM
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I already own several felting books (The Art of Feltmaking and Exploring Textile Arts) and when I purchased this one I was very excited to learn more about this ancient craft. When the book arrived I didn't think there was a lot of new information in it at first, compared to what I already have. I was somewhat disappointed (although the diagrams are good and the directions are clear) but at the very end of the book -- ta da! -- I suddenly became inspired. That was what I wanted... something new and inspirational.
In the section called Decorative Flat Felt, she suggests adding small amounts of wool to to a fabric base, such as chiffon, silk, cheesecloth, or voile to make "a marvelously light and airy but durable fabric, which is ideal for scarves." I love the idea of combining cheesecloth with felt. Very inexpensive and easy to try. She gives a lot of suggestions using silk fibers, many of which are gorgeous. I like the Silk Inlaid Lampshade (page 67) -- an idea which was completely new to me. The Inlaid Containers (shown on the cover) are brilliant -- so easy to do, so useful!
But my two favorite projects, by far, are the last two: Child's Silk-Lined Jacket (page 111) and the Pictoral Pillow (page 115). The jacket is drop-dead gorgeous and looks really fun to make, which is more important than being gorgeous because otherwise you won't bother to make it. The pillow section is full of good ideas and these projects are more about already having the skill to make the basic structure and letting your imagination run wild when it comes to the embellishments. I purchased several pieces of feltwork which I received and wasn't happy with -- they were too plain, really boring and uninspired and I was thinking, these need something and I can certainly try to add it but I don't know what to do. I was a little intimidated at the idea of completely redesigning them on my own. But I have the time and the determination and now I have some sample pictures and the directions I need -- and now I feel ready! There's plenty of time from now to Christmas to add more details, embroidery, and what-not. I'm very excited! Sometimes a little structure is more liberating than complete creative freedom. Even if I may not do any of the projects in the book exactly, I can feel my mind brimming with new ideas... which I wouldn't have come to without reading the book.
If you already know about felt and you're pretty comfortable with what you're doing, you don't need it... but if you're ready to move into doing more glamorous and artsy things with your felt projects, Simply Felt is a good buy.
In the section called Decorative Flat Felt, she suggests adding small amounts of wool to to a fabric base, such as chiffon, silk, cheesecloth, or voile to make "a marvelously light and airy but durable fabric, which is ideal for scarves." I love the idea of combining cheesecloth with felt. Very inexpensive and easy to try. She gives a lot of suggestions using silk fibers, many of which are gorgeous. I like the Silk Inlaid Lampshade (page 67) -- an idea which was completely new to me. The Inlaid Containers (shown on the cover) are brilliant -- so easy to do, so useful!
But my two favorite projects, by far, are the last two: Child's Silk-Lined Jacket (page 111) and the Pictoral Pillow (page 115). The jacket is drop-dead gorgeous and looks really fun to make, which is more important than being gorgeous because otherwise you won't bother to make it. The pillow section is full of good ideas and these projects are more about already having the skill to make the basic structure and letting your imagination run wild when it comes to the embellishments. I purchased several pieces of feltwork which I received and wasn't happy with -- they were too plain, really boring and uninspired and I was thinking, these need something and I can certainly try to add it but I don't know what to do. I was a little intimidated at the idea of completely redesigning them on my own. But I have the time and the determination and now I have some sample pictures and the directions I need -- and now I feel ready! There's plenty of time from now to Christmas to add more details, embroidery, and what-not. I'm very excited! Sometimes a little structure is more liberating than complete creative freedom. Even if I may not do any of the projects in the book exactly, I can feel my mind brimming with new ideas... which I wouldn't have come to without reading the book.
If you already know about felt and you're pretty comfortable with what you're doing, you don't need it... but if you're ready to move into doing more glamorous and artsy things with your felt projects, Simply Felt is a good buy.
reviewed by speed5599 on November 29, 2006 2:18 PM