online needle felting class
Felt Alive with Kay Petal
Soft Sculpting Lifelike Characters with the Felting Needle
Start Anytime - Work at Your Own Pace
Exciting and Fun Tutorial available in PDF format for immediate delivery!
Many Online Video Clips to Supplement Written Instructions
Personal attention from me! Email anytime with questions.
HIGH SPEED INTERNET RECOMMENDED
$59.95
Introduction
Skill Level – Beginner through Advanced
Finished Character Approximate 10 – 15” tall
Felt Along with me and learn to Felt Alive as I share the magic of bringing lustrous fluffs of wool to life. I have designed this tutorial not with a specific pattern in mind, but to create lifelike, humanistic characters that are soft and flexible from head to toe and are as unique as you and I. I can’t say exactly what your finished project will be because you will have so many opportunities for creative expression!
This is a fun journey into sculptural needle felting. Beginners will learn a comprehensive set of skills needed to go on to explore this art form and experienced needle felters will certainly learn new tricks and possibly gain a new direction to take their felting. I have included many, many pictures and detailed instructions but sometimes it’s SO much easier to watch and learn so I have created video clips to supplement some of the written instructions. Click Play in the player to preview 9 of the 30 videos available to my students. And remember, my library is always growing with student requested videos!
The instructions are based on basic human anatomy but the skills learned here can be adapted to create life-like animals and fantasy characters as well. You will learn the basics of constructing a flexible body with strong joints and a durable skin-like surface. A highlight of the course is the section on faces. You will learn to create faces that express emotion! The tutorial will also give you guidelines for the endless possibilities for clothing (or not) to complete your character. While my main focus of this tutorial is teaching you how to let the wool come to life in your hands, I also focus on quality workmanship. These characters are wonderful works of art but they are also irresistible to young and old alike. They need to be made to withstand handling without limbs and hair falling off! The techniques are easy to learn and the results continue to amaze and delight me. This project can be completed in approximately 10-12 hours but I encourage students to take plenty of time.
Here are some examples of some of my Felt Alive Soft Sculptures made using these methods.
The Possibilities Are Endless!!
Here is how my Online Course works. Upon purchase, PayPal will redirect you to an introductory page with instructions to contact me. I will then email you my tutorial/ebook with 9 separate PDF files. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files. Most people already have this program installed on their computer but if you don't - it's free and I can help you with it. The file size totals 8 megabytes and a high speed connection is highly recommended! I then provide access to my private online video tutorial library and offer email support.
There are no
specific workshop dates, you start when you are ready and work at your
own pace.* It's all on your schedule and in the comfort of your own
home! I am here to answer any questions via email. I answer email
questions at least three times a day.
My goal with this course is your success. While this project is complicated, the techniques are simple enough even for a beginner. Some students take off and complete their projects with no additional help from me, while others need a little extra coaching. I am happy to give a "newbie" or anyone who needs it plenty of extra help! And if you need a few extra pictures or even a short video of a step you may be struggling with, all you have to do is ask!
I think an online course is a great concept! It's the next best thing to the real thing!
*Short of circumstances beyond my control, I guarantee email support for three months after the date of purchase. If you need more time and I am here - I'll be glad to help.
And about the Tutorial/eBook. It is 8 chapters of pictures and step by step instructions.
!! TUTORIAL SNEAK PEEK !!
(make sure to put cursor over images to see details of pictures from tutorial!)
(make sure to put cursor over images!)
Felt Alive
Tutorial/eBook
Table Of Contents
1. The Basics Folding, Rolling and Poking!
In this lesson you will learn basics skills for handling wool and needles. It will also cover the techniques of making basic shapes needed to construct a lifelike body. Heads are Gonna Roll! You’ll see what I mean!
2. The Magic of Faces
The face is certainly the most complex part of creating a lifelike figure. The simple techniques will allow you to create a unique and expressive face that is full of character and charm. These techniques can be repeated over and over, never making the same face twice. You will learn about basic facial anatomy and how to construct and connect the various parts of a face. Although the techniques are simple, allow yourself an abundance of time to complete this lesson as a really great face takes time and patience. For class students only I have made many videos to accompany this section - watch me as I bring a face to life!
3. Hands and Feet With flexible fingers and toes, of course!
Hands and feet can be complicated but they are integral to a lifelike character. I will share my easy methods.
4. Connecting the Parts
The ankle bone connects to the …shin bone. The shin bone connects to the …knee bone. The knee bone connects to the ….
In this lesson you will learn how to connect all of the parts, creating strong yet flexible joints.
5. The 4 Bs - Butts, Bellies, Backs & Boobies! Adding definition to the body.
This part is so fun as your character is really starting to come to life!
6. I‘d Forget My Head if it Wasn’t Attached! Attaching the Head
This is one of my favorite moments! It’s really the moment when all of your work comes together. In this lesson you will learn a couple of different ways to attach the head to the body, positioning the head in a lifelike position.
7. I Have Nothing to Wear! Clothing your character
In this lesson you will learn how to create clothing that is securely needle felted onto your doll but has the appearance that it is separate. For those that may be quite happy with a nude doll, adding color and highlights will also be covered.
Video Library Titles
Felt Alive Students Have Exclusive, Unlimited Access
(please note that these videos are supplemental only - there is not a video for every technique that is explained in the PDF tutorial.)
Basic Body Parts
Lesson
1
The Magic of Faces Lesson
2
More The Magic of Faces
Lesson 2
The Magic of Faces - Sculpting Features Lesson 2
The Magic of Faces - Making Lip Shapes
Lesson 2
Making the lower lip
Lesson 2
Attaching the lower lip
Lesson 2
Adding Facial Structure
Lesson 2
Nose & Eyes - roughing them in Lesson
2
Eyes Part 1 of 8 Whites
Lesson 2
Eyes Part 2 of 8 Pupils
Lesson 2
Eyes Part 3 of 8 Iris
Lesson 2
Eyes Part 4 of 8 White Glimmer
Lesson 2
Eyes Part 5 of 8 Line around Iris
Lesson 2
Eyes Part 6 of 8 Dark Eyelid Line
Lesson 2
Eyes Part 7 of 8 Simple Eyelids
Lesson 2
Eyes Part 8 of 8 Complex Eyelid Lesson
2
Ears Lesson 2
Making
Hand Shapes Lesson 3
Making Fingers
Lesson 3
I must apologize for the background noise - I was too far into the video
to stop it when my huge dogs started arguing over a stuffed monkey. They
sound evil but they are my spoiled angels.
Attaching Fingers
Lesson 3
Making Foot Shapes Lesson
3
Attaching Toes
Lesson
3
Attaching Feet to Legs Lesson 4
Connecting the Parts Lesson 4
Butts! Lesson 5
Boobies!
Lesson 5
The Head Meets the Body Lesson
6
Attaching the Head with a Neck Lesson 6
Hair Part 1 - Curly Locks Lesson 8
Hair Part 2 - Straight Locks Lesson 8
Hair Part 3 - Yarn Locks Lesson 8
Felt Alive Online Class $59.95
I also accept checks and money orders - contact me for more info
??Need Supplies??
I am happy to announce that I am now offering Deluxe Kits to accompany this online class! (Kits not sold individually, sorry!)
This Deluxe Kit comes complete with everything you need to make at least two 10 - 12" Felt Alive Character dolls.
I love teaching needle felting! The best reward is when I wake up and find delightful pictures in my email of a newly completed Felt Alive project. It makes me feel so proud!! I'll add to this gallery on a regular basis!
Make sure to check out my Felt Alive YouTube Video Channel
for some some sample video tutorials and cheap entertainment!
Not sure if needle felting is for you, perhaps you want to try an easier project or do you just want to learn some great techniques for making expressive needle felted faces? Then take a look at my online class, The Magic of Faces. It actually a chapter from this online class made into a stand-alone class. I offer a discounted upgrade to this class if you decide you want the full instructions after completing The Magic of Faces.
If you are really serious about learning my latest and greatest techniques make sure to check out my my Newly Released Needle Felted Doll Video Workshop on DVD!