Needle Felting Machines
I don't know if this is the place to post this but here it goes. I have been thinking about ####Needle Felting machine ever since the article in Threads a few months ago. (or was it Sew News?) Anyway, who can tell me anything about them. They look so easy and one could be creative I think.
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(post #31492, reply #1 of 59)
Just bought one for use in school - easy to use - albeit I haven't had much time to use it yet!
you just put fibres over fabric and needle punch them together - works best on felt background - but i am in process of seeing how successful on other fibres/fabrics.
You can punch in any direction.
The needles are encased in a sleeve - so little to worry about H and S wise.
Cheap to buy - see www.JSM-DistributionDirect.com at £170 pounds - sorry dont know what currency you use.
(post #31492, reply #2 of 59)
I saw this on Sewing With Nancy on PBS here. (Nancy Zieman from www.nancysnotionscom) I am hoping it can be done on denim, wouldn't it be cool on jean jackets? I look forward to learning more about it. Mary
(post #31492, reply #3 of 59)
Hi, Jan. Thanks for the reply. I can't access your link but I suppose from your currency you are in England. I know that here there is a babylock and a janome machine and brother has an attachment. I wonder if anyone out there has any of these?
(post #31492, reply #4 of 59)
Pfaff has the new little Smart 350P machine.
(post #31492, reply #5 of 59)
I never know if everyone can access these posts - but in case u haven't seen it a recommendation( via someone else) for www.nancysnotions.com will link you through to a real video of a woman using one - and looks cheap enough to buy for US (I think - don't know exchange rate at mo!)
Looks as if she's working on denim too - so I'm hopeful of most fabrics being ok.
A thought for me is that on woollen fabrics the felting would stay in place longer than felting into ordinary fabric. Ive no basis on which to say this - cos not done it yet - but I can imagine that fabrics might part eventually 'cos true felting needs the wool scales to "felt" together - but fashion being the way it is, i don't think anyone will wear an item to death anyway! So I'm with u and here goes!
Try anything once I say!
Jan
(post #31492, reply #42 of 59)
She left out the dot, it's www.nancysnotions.com Try that. Can't remember if there a hypen after the y.
(post #31492, reply #6 of 59)
I seem to remember a felting needle that could be used on a regular machine. I think it went on a Bernina.
(post #31492, reply #7 of 59)
I am glad for this thread as I too have taken interest in this machine..
I am patiently waiting for your Sewing Expo I believe Janome, Pfaff will have theirs displayed..hopefully I will get to play with it!!
I to have seen that you can do this type of felting on Jeans!! And they say you an not only use the wool felt but other materials like trim and such..At least that is what I have read and heard. So am anxiously waiting till Thursday March 1st to see what I can see about this type of machine...That was on my agenda ladies!
And as Jan said I know they are quite inexpensive!! Might be just the thing for my sewing room!! Another free motion free form embellishing technique!! for those of us like me who still doesn't have an embroidery machine!
Connie
(post #31492, reply #8 of 59)
Have you tried bobbin work on your machine yet? You can slowly fill your bobbin with 12 weight thread. Skip the tension on the bobbin insertion. Regular or embroidery thread in the needle, increase needle tension slightly. Pull the bobbin thread to the top when you start and end. Lay your fabric upside down on the machine, might need a stabilizer like Sulky tear away on top. try straight stitch first, then play with other decorative stitches. When you turn your fabric right side up it is so cool to see. This also works for free motion embroidery but takes practice.
I NEVER adjust bobbin tension but bought a seperate bobbin case that I do adjust inside a ziplock bag so I don't lose the screw. The extra bobbin case for my machine is white so I don't haveh to worry about mixing them up. I bought it because I use such a variety of thread sizes.
(post #31492, reply #9 of 59)
Funny that you mention bobbin work..No will admit that is something I have been kinda scared of trying...I don't want to mess up my bobbin so I too would want to get a different one for that. However I just haven't as of yet..I have seen it done and I do love the look and thought how cool it that... I like you Mary love all different kinds of threads you know just like I do with my Trims.Ha ha ha
I have done the couching and such but just been gun shy on the other. I may have to put a new bobbin on my things to get list..
Thanks for letting me know that you are a wiz at this and When I get the nerve guess who I will be letting know...You..
Smiles
Connie
(post #31492, reply #10 of 59)
Maybe someone at the show will be demoing bobbinwork. Also you can check out www.bonniemccaffery.com. I think you would like her books, the next one I hope to get from her is on Portrait quilts. She teaches and travels alot and seems to have a poetic heart. I would love to take a class from her!
The shop where you bought your machine could probably show you on a machine like your own. Most machines can do it as well as free motionwork.
Have fun at the show! Wish I could come too! I hope to take a trip to Oregon this summer if all goes well. I love that part of the country and would love to see the ocean again. Mary
(post #31492, reply #15 of 59)
Could u clarify this thread for me? Mainly because the felter I have does not have any bobbin in it - it doesn't need one or any upper thread either - it just works with the needles on their own!
What u appear to be describing is, I think, just another variation of free motion work, being another way of working quite freely with the usual sewing machine - both with the feed up or down?
Oh! Just read that back and not sure I understand myself what I was trying to describe!!
Do u mean that u work upside down and texture forms on the underside of the work because u r using thicker threads on the spool?
This to me is the sort of work i would probably put under an umbrella term of creative machine embroidery.
Just goes to show how things quite easily cross over disciplines!
Jan
(post #31492, reply #16 of 59)
I brought up the bobbinwork and freemotionwork on the sewing machine because Blondie to Sew mentioned not having an embroidery machine yet. I am blessed to have a sewing room full of expensive machines and the works. I don't find it nearly as fulfilling to use purchased embroidery designs that are copywrited as coming up with our own ideas and sharing them.
I love to encourage people to try lots of different techniques with the equipment that they have on hand or that may be a less expensive alternative. I don't think you have to have the top of the line, latest expensive equipment to be incredibly creative.
I am sorry if it seemed out of place in this discussion of needlefelting machines and hand needlefelting. Please excuse my indiscretion...Mary
(post #31492, reply #17 of 59)
I liked reading your information on the bobbinwork and freemotion ( i admire from afar). If you have discussed this elsewhere I haven't found it yet. Thanks for putting it in this discussion.
Poor Blondie, she feels she may be the only one who doesn't have an embroidery machine.. One day.. Keep a look out she is hoping to post all her news about the expo she attended this weekend.
I hear you when you speak of copyrighted designs, i'm just not creative enough at the moment so I choose to use the machines designs.
All good things come to those who wait. Plenty of years left in me yet (touch wood).
Keep up your creative spirit Mary.
Cherry
(post #31492, reply #20 of 59)
I enjoy using the copywrited designs in addition to other things. I just think that everyone should understand this when they purchase thier embroidery machines. I have spoken to many people who thought they could sell things right away to recoup the cost of the machine. Not so unless they take on the digitizing of thier own designs. It seems unfair that few are told this up front. Mary
(post #31492, reply #25 of 59)
Mary,
Thank you for starting the copyright discussion in the machine embroidery thread. I have my response over there. I hadn't realised you started it until i finished typing it all here. So i deleted my message here so not to cause 'spamming' or 'clutter'.
CherryP
Edited 3/3/2007 8:29 pm by Cherrypops
(post #31492, reply #26 of 59)
ok
(post #31492, reply #28 of 59)
If u want to check out the thread I started called Cretive stitchers ( it was supposed to read Creative but obviously i slipped with the keyboard!)Here there are a few thoughts on free motion etc.
Jan
(post #31492, reply #30 of 59)
ok thanks, i will. CherryP
(post #31492, reply #18 of 59)
This is so right!
I appreciate how inventive anyone could be by using ready made embroidery designs - once you've got the hang of positioning etc.
(Oops perhaps the words "setting in place" might be better than "positioning"!)-
and although pupils in school use a CAD/Cam machine to do this if they want to - I find most children actually like to be able to create their own ideas and free-motion work gives them an edge I think!
That's not to say that there isn't a place for the "ready-made" logos, Disney characters etc that awash the market place, because certainly in school the quick, professional appearance appeals to a lot of them too.
I think in another thread I might have already said that its "horses for courses" and what appeals to 1 person, others will dislike or can be dismissive of.
I know I can be a little biased towards a more freer use of the machine - I like to design ideas as I do - someone else might see me as a bit too "slapdash" in my free design work depending which way you approach it I suppose!
By the way I wasn't wondering why your answer was on this thread - I was wondering if I'd missed some other skill I could have a go at!
As if I haven't got enough to already try - I'm off now to experiment with the school's felting machine - bought it home to have a longer time with it and hubby is off out researching a new car - to me once you've seen 1 car (at 9am !!)- there is a limit to how many tyres you can kick or how much interest I can inject into my voice when the sun is shining and its Saturday!
Thanks Jan
(post #31492, reply #19 of 59)
I am anxiouse to hear what you come up with on the felting machine! I bet you are gonna have fun fun fun! I envy that you get to work with it without having to jump in and buy one for yourself. There are perks to teaching beyond watching those minds expand and become creative. It sounds as if you are an inspiring teacher and your students are blessed to have you.
(post #31492, reply #32 of 59)
Well - so far so good!
Found out it will felt fabrics into denim - a big plus for me at school!
It completely obliterates metallic fabric!
Gives a brilliant effect on fleece with gauze type fabrics on top - but totally unpredictable as to how it will distort!
It will be brilliant for anyone doing arty/pictorial type of work, 'cos so free in its working - you can stitch anywhere.
but!!
if you want to wear anything you make you will have to do something to the back of the fabric!
a)possibly coat with a weak solution of PVA or something similar cos i was right - the stuff will pull out under stress - so washing will be a problem if you haven't done something to the back to keep the threads in situ
b)line your garments - it creates lots of wispy bits at the back of the fabric(obvious really if u think about it) -[this depends on the fabric types that u r trying - denim isn't so bad 'cos its own strength and weave allows the punched threads to "bed" in - but synthetics leave a fine "pile" at the back]
Me being a "sensitive little flower" will be irritated to death with the wispy bits - probably come out in what I think you Americans might call hives!!
However - this was only a half days experiment - and in the true way of any design technology teacher - I will now give it to my class for them to do as many experiments as they like - enough for them to analyse fully their trials/testing, fully evaluate and adapt working methods to alleviate the "problems"!
Why keep a dog and bark myself?
I'll try to let u know what solutions they come up with!
I still think it will be a great addition to my own workshop!
Jan
(post #31492, reply #33 of 59)
Thanks for the information. Hope to see some more photos of your students' work as in the photo section. It would change the texture, but I guess you could use invisible polyester thread over the top and channel stitch or stipple to hold the fibers in place? Underneath, would the soft and sheer stabilizer sewn after felting help with the scratchy surface? I am thinking jean jackets or outerwear might work.
I love your dog comment...
(post #31492, reply #35 of 59)
I think anything attached to the back to stop threads tickling or pulling etc. would need to be bonded on somehow to help with adhesion(ooh that sounds posh!!)but if u felt it would stay put(no pun intended) - just a lining might be sufficient?
I bet a few of us will come up with ideas for this 'cos we seem to be an inventive lot don't u think?
(post #31492, reply #36 of 59)
that we are
(post #31492, reply #34 of 59)
Great thanks for the info Jan!!
I will be looking forward to more on this !! I too loved your Dog analogy!!
Connie
(post #31492, reply #43 of 59)
Jan, I'm a little confused about the problem with the back of the garment. When we were taught, we were taught to do the right side, then turn the fabric over and then lightly needle punch again on the back side, and then go back to lightly finish again on the front. The purpose of doing it on the back was to further embed the wool fibres into the garment fabric. Was this the method you used? If so, was this not proving sturdy enough?
(post #31492, reply #44 of 59)
Do you know - I never thought about working from the back too - god how thick am I?
Mind you it doesn't show you this in the video, so I'll have to try it!
This may be a stupid thing to say - but does it not push some of it back the other way?
I'll let u know when I do the stuff again in school - nothing doing til after Easter hols - cos exam stuff till then - and boy is the stress beginning to show!
(post #31492, reply #45 of 59)
Jan:
You're right - it does push it through to the other side (which is why you do it lightly on the back and then just go over the front very quickly). I wouldn't have thought about it either, but I was taught this method by Kathleen Brenne and if you can find the Vogue Patterns issue from last October, she had an article on needle felting in it (there is a jacket on the front that Kathleen did needle-felting on the collar and front panel which is just fabulous).
Hope the stress of exams doesn't get to you too much, and look forward to hearing how it all works out for you.
(post #31492, reply #46 of 59)
Got to try this tomorrow_just goes to show that for most things u need to speak to someone - or certainly get info from those who try before u!
Ill try to access the vogue site to see the article - cos it might go into more detail than ive already got - to be honest the info with the machine was fairly c..p!
Also - i definitelt feel that the old grey matter does not always catch on as quickly as it used to either!
Thanks for the advice!