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If you're looking for a brilliant needle felt artist to learn from, we've found her! New Maker Team member Maddy of @maddywilsonart makes needle felted animal sculptures that are truly breathtaking. We are so grateful to have her on our team and to learn from her expertise. If you're still hesitant to try needle felting, perhaps Maddy's coaster tutorial will seal the deal.
Looking for a cute little friend to protect your tabletop? This coaster craft is great for beginners to try needle felting as you use the needle for flat and dimensional aspects. The seal is easy to customize as well!
Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 1 hour + drying time
Additional Supplies:
Seal Template (click to download)
Embroidery Floss, DMC 169 - optional
Liquid Vinyl - optional
Directions:
1. Print and cut out template above. Use Frixion pen to trace two seal shapes onto felt sheet. Cut out. Remove any pen markings with heat (iron or blowdryer.) The template also illustrates where the wool embellishments will be applied.
2. Take two even bits of Dusk wool roving (slightly larger than a pea) and roll each into a ball between fingers. More wool can be added so this doesn’t need to be exact. It is easier to add wool than take away! If you are new to needle felting, this tutorial may prove helpful.
3. Using Seal Template as a reference, stab the two balls next to each other on seal's face to create the upper mouth.
4. Add a small amount of Dusk wool to span half the width of upper mouth. This is the lower jaw. Add an even smaller amount of Dusk roving above upper mouth to make nose.
5. To add spots, flipper and mouth details, take a wisp of Smoke wool roving. Roll it between your hands similar to rolling clay to form a snake.
Referencing the template, stab outlines of details onto seal body. Reroll more roving as needed. Fill in lines where needed and inside of spots with additional wool.
During this step occasionally - and carefully! - lift seal off the foam pad to prevent it from adhering.
6. To add eyes, roll two balls as in Step 2 but with a very tiny amount of wool. Lightly stab each into place to determine desired position before felting them fully. I like the look of the eyes being set wide apart!
7. The back of the seal will look messy. Use second felt seal body as backing. Whip stitch around perimeter with DMC 928.
If you prefer a contrasting whip stitch, use DMC 169 to match the felted details.
8. As an optional step, waterproof the seal coaster at this point. Apply Liquid Vinyl to embellished front following the instructions on product. Add as many layers as desired. For this tutorial, I only applied one layer.
9. Whiskers are the final cute detail! Use a single strand of DMC 928 and thread it thru the muzzle three times. Trim. Bead weaving thread or fishing line can also be used as whiskers.
Your Seal Coaster is finished!
This craft is great for a quick needle felting project and you can make matching ones for friends in no time. Experiment with the look of the seal - aim for something simple or more dynamic depending on how much time you want to put into felting.
