Share
Maker Team member Maddy of @maddywilsonart has given us cute Halloween - now we get creepy! We think her needle felted Poison Apple would be perfect for your holiday table. Perhaps one at every seat? And thanks to Maddy's step by step instructions, this is a project that a novice needle felter can take on with confidence. Now I just have to find where I put my cauldron...
Spooky season is upon us and it is time to start decorating! What I love about this project is the creative freedom with the poison ‘glaze’. The finished design is also light enough to add to a Halloween tree, if that is your aesthetic!
Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 2 hours
Directions:
Apple Stem
1. Use wire cutters to trim chenille stem to 7". Slightly bend stem to find middle and begin tightly wrapping a small amount of Chocolate wool roving about 1" from center. Keep wrapping, moving toward the center, until you are 1" past center point.
2. Fold stem in half and continue wrapping wool tightly up and down top section. Fuzziness of the pipe cleaner helps keep the wool in place but a few stabs with the felting needle may be needed to secure.
Apple Body
3. Begin to wrap small amounts of core wool around unwrapped section of stem. Stop occasionally to firm up and shape with a 38 gauge needle before adding more wool. Aim for a larger top that tapers slightly at bottom and a small pit indent around the stem. This step will take the longest so enjoy the process and take breaks as needed. Be careful when stabbing around the wire as you build up the shape.
4. Once happy with the apple shape, wrap core wool in Red wool roving. The poison glaze will cover the top but I prefer to have an even Red layer underneath.
Poison Glaze
5. The poison glaze is meant to be thick and viscous. Start by outlining glaze drips (and optional skull face) with ropes to create depth. To make ropes, tear long strands of Chartreuse wool roving and roll between hands. If you feel like the heat and friction of your hands isn’t keeping it in place, stab at it with the felting needle.
6. For skull face, first place the nose shape about half way down the apple. Base eye hole placement around nose. Extra roving rope from these shapes can be felted anywhere glaze will be.
7. Outline glaze in the same manner as Steps 5 and 6, with varying drip levels.
8. Fill in the designated glaze area with Chartreuse roving. Do not make ropes for this portion.
Finishing Poison Apple
9. Go back over apple with 40 gauge needle to tighten and "polish" the project. Move along seam of the glaze drips to define the shape and keep a raised edge.
There you have it! I hope you got a kick out of this one and fun with your poison!
Thanks to Maddy for designing and writing this tutorial! You can see more of her work on Instagram @maddywilsonart and on her website. Stay tuned for more tutorials from the Benzie Design Maker Team!
