Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects

Making Wee Felt Folk is really as easy as the book claims. All you need is the right materials, and if you know where to go, the right materials won't cost half as much as they could. Just know that when you begin, your dolls won't look as good as you might want until you've practiced, practiced, practiced. Here's what you'll need to make these fun-to-make and cute little people: Clear glue (mine is children's craft glue with glitter and it works well) scissors a sewing needle floss of the desired color felt (color cloth that costs ten cents a sheet) pipe cleaners wooden beads for heads (you can buy these in a bag for like two bucks) yarn/wool fleece /or something similar for hair fake flowers if you're into making fairies arylic paint (if you want to color the heads) . . . and that's about all. I know the list looks a little long but it's not really. And once you've gotten into making these cute little dolls you'll forget all about the seemingly long list of materials. Not only are wee felt folk good for arts and crafts projects in the classroom, but if you're an expecting mother you can create them for your coming child. Putting the little dolls together is very relaxing and relieves stress. Also, if you're expecting a little girl she can play with the dolls in a future dollhouse. A boy can too, of course, as playing with dolls can help boys become better fathers. Well, I'm done rambling. My point is making Wee Felt Folk is fun, relaxing and -- best of all! -- easy!

This is a treat of a book to the craft inclined! Just looking through it will inspire you to get out some embroidery floss. The projects are creative and the details are unique. I have loved making the wee folks, but the sections on purses, pins and collages after the fairies were actually my favorites! The embroidery is quite simple to do, but Salley Mavor's details make the results so charming. I also want to mention the organization. I thought it was quite creative and useful. I read it straight through, wanting to know how to do everything. It gave me ideas of how to make several folks at once, to do the basic body construction efficiently, and then choose the details and finish the dolls as fun little families. I must admit, though, I'm very good at reading the instructions once through and then just making the project on my own. Hopefully you join me in buying this book, making some of the projects shown and then getting creative with felt and embroidery. You'll really enjoy it!

I am very craft impaired. My sewing machine and I are ships sinking in the night. It is hardly portable and the kids grow faster than I can sew an outfit for them. Knitting takes too long and I'm not anal enough to count stitches. Needle point and its ilk, too tedious and lacks sarcastic messages that I'd rather impart than the usual spiritual/homey themes. I only need so many crocheted pot holders. And I have not, and will not give into the addiction that is Scrapbooking. ( let the kids rummage through shoe boxes filled with unmarked,unnamed pictures. It was good enough for me! Gah, what crack do they filter in those scrapbook stores, huh?) I had figured I would never find a little project to keep myself off the streets ( or off Ebay) when I spied this instruction book at the store I was cautiously optimistic. Frankly, until I found this book, I was pretty sure that I did not have the craft-gene inside of me, therefore making me feel exceptionally defective in the girly department. I fell in love instantly with the fairies and the little people, yet I remained hesitant because following directions ( unless complete with pictures) is problematic for a doofus like myself. I sat down in the store and read every thing first. Realized that I already posessed nearly all of the material needed to create a fairy in my own home: pipe cleaners, embroidery floss, needle, felt, glue, acrylic paint and silk flowers. All I needed were little wooden balls. (and an acorn to use as a hat, but that is minor.) All things left over from failed projects. Mocking me of my failure everytime I looked at them in their respective craft drawer. The start up cost to make a couple of fairies is probably under $10-15 if you don't have everything. Everything is very cheap. When you get more proficient in it, a better grade and selection of wool felt colors can be had through specialty places like Magic Cabin (dot) com. ( Lovely people there.) I bit the cost of the book and went home all giddy. Following the step by step instructions, in under an hour, I made my first fairy. I am making them as stocking stuffers and Xmas ornaments for the kid in my life and adults too. And I am contemplating making a Nativity Scene for Christmas. Its going to be a Very Fairy Christmas around these parts this year. The book is filled with gorgeous photography and easy to follow instructions and plenty of project ideas to kick start something of your own. My only beef with it, and it is minor, is there is no instruction on how to apply hair. Yes, it should be moron proof with : cut yarn to desired length, apply glue to wooden head, attach yarn, then put on acorn hat. But, there isn't. There is no suggested yarn type listed that works best for hair. Fortunately, I have Boucle yarn, which is rather hard to find and used in waldorf doll making. ( another project that I've failed at....I made the neck to thin and my dolls come out needed a neck brace. GAH!) Also, FYI,

This book is bursting with detailed photos of projects that are sure to inspire the creation of your own wee folk dolls and crafts. Mavor's clear instructions show you how to create blossom fairies, wee folk village themed dolls, and other needlecraft projects. The best part is you don't have to be an expert seamstress to create these little treasures, and a wee folk doll can be completed in just a few hours. If you love arts and crafts this book will awake a new creative outlet.

One of the best books published. Sally Mavor shares her best ideas for designing whimsical characters and shows how to display them to their full advantage. The directions are clear and easy to follow. The pictures are lovely. She gives instructions for making beautiful wee folk easy enough for a young child or challenging enough for an experienced artist. It is a must for anyone who loves creating beautiful and natural looking fabric art.