Sculpting with needle felting.

After I had experimented with needle felting I took my chance of sculpting with it. I did a tea cup which much to my surprise worked perfectly. I only did it on a small scale to begin with to see if I could actually do it. This technique is less time consuming then the rolling technique and once they are complete they can then be used no need to wait for drying. For any sculpting using felt I will most defiantly use this technique.

How to make a tea cup-

Step 1- Make a thick layer of merino wool in a rectangle it should be about 1cm thick.

Step 2- Needle to firm up the shape.

Step 3- Take the rectangle off the foam block and curve it around from one end.

Step 4- Continue curving the piece round to make a cup shape.

Step 5- Needle round the base to hold the cup shape together.

Step 6- Take a piece of foam cut into a former for cup shape.

Step 7- Squeeze the former into the Felted cup shape. Needle the felt to secure the seam.

Step 8- Add more wool to cover the seam and parts that feel thin. Needle the shape.

Step 9- remove the cup from the former. Hold it in your hand and needle it carefully to firm up the shape. Add wool if necessary.

Step 10- Hold the rim of the cup between your finger and thumb and needle it carefully to firm it up.

Step 11- Take a wisp of the same colour merino wool used for the cup for the handle.

Step 12- Fold over the ends of the wisp and needle.

Step 13- Continue needling until the shape is firm and add more layer of wool by wrapping them around the handle.

Step 14- Place the end of the handle near the top of the cup, curling it under and needle it in position.

Step 15- Attach the bottom of the handle but do not curl it under this time, needle to secure it.

Step 16- Cover ant visible joins but adding and needling in more wool.

If you want to add more detail such as flower detail then this can be added after.