How to Make the Folk Bird Kit

What You’ll Need for Class
You can also purchase supplies or use supplies you already have at home — I’ll show everything I’m using during the class so you can follow along with whatever you’ve got.

Here are the basics:

• A felting needle (Any standard needle will work. I generally use a size #40 triangle needle for 2D / landscape felting projects.)

• A felting mat or foam pat that is at least 6x6 inches.

• Felt or fabric for the background. 8x8 inches. We use white in this design and the background color does matter as it shows in the finished piece. You can use other fabrics such as wool upholstery fabric or even a tightly woven cotton or linen. The finished look will be a bit different with each fabric. You can also use a thinner fabric, such as a regular wool fabric, with a piece of prefelt behind it.

• Design. We use a screen printing shop to print the design onto our fabric. There are of course other DIY ways to have a design template to guide you if you don't order the kit. Ideas are below. 
  • TO GET THE PDF OF YOUR CHOSEN DESIGN, please email me: ana@bellasflock.com and tell me which folk bird design you would like me to send you. One free design PDF per customer. 
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  • A product called Paper Sulky allows you to print the design using your regular ink jet printer onto their paper. Then cut out the design and pin it to your fabric. You will felt right on top of this paper. I will discuss this option a bit more during class. 
  • You can print the design on regular paper, cut it out and trace the outline of it lightly onto your fabric. And then you can cut out some of the smaller design elements and also trace these onto your design. 
  • You can also search for embroidery tracing / transfer pens.
  • Note: I don't have extensive experience with these options as two years ago, I quickly moved to the pre-printed fabric for teaching classes and this is my go-to method now. But I will discuss them in more detail during the class.

• CARDED colored wool roving or batting in 4 colors for the bird. Using carded wool for this project matters. Most roving is merino and combed, making it more difficult to create an even and smooth felted finish. You can see examples of carded wool on our website >> here.  1/4 ounce of each color is enough to complete each design. 

• I either use a bamboo hoop (7 or 8 inch) to display the 

If you’re newer to needle felting or don’t have materials on hand, the complete Folk Bird Kit is the easiest option.