I Review 7 Different Types Of Mats | Makerss Earth Mat | WoolBuddy | Foam | Hessian | Brush And More

[@amyb927]

Just thought I'd comment in case it hasn't been added- Woolbuddy has a KZbin video on how to clean them. A regular razor can get the really deep down wool transfer and an iron can get out the dips.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

That's so great, I just tried the ironing trick, thank you! It worked really well xx

[@geegeebabe1]

I started needle felting in October 2021, and have taken to it like a duck on water. I have tried several mats-styrofoam (tore apart 8n less than a day), regular foam-took a while, but it also ended up with chunks in my wool, upholstery foam, I like it better-more durable, the brush-don’t like the stickiness, the felted mat-too hard for me, and finally built my own from muslin and rice. I really do like the rice one so much more so than any of the others. It gives me a good feel when I use it. It is noisy, but fiber doesn’t stick as much as the foam, although it does have to be worked on both sides. I am going to get the silicone remover, that is a great idea! I do have a little piece of foam that I use to bolster legs, etc. it is a slightly higher quality of styrofoam and is just big enough to fit. Thanks for the info-it’s so nice to get advice from someone who knows.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thanks so much for watching and for such a useful comment, I find my woolbuddy the best and it's lasting so well but the rice mat does have a very firm feeling and it moulds to your creation x

[@diannebrooks2780]

Hi Philippa, Thank you for this video. You did a great job. Seriously, I have a hard time with videos where the presenter rambles a lot, or using distracting hand gestures or uses um or uh a lot. You did none of these. Your grammar is excellent, you stuck to the topic and answered questions I wanted answers to. Thank you so much. I've not yet done any needle felting. I have a couple of kits in my cart on Etsy but felt suspicious of the foam mats. Don't know why, as I have never even heard of needle felting until today; just experience, I guess, to make me wonder if beginner kits would contain the best quality materials/supplies. And I do know that sometimes the quality materials can have a strong impact on not only the results of the project but also on the crafter's enjoyment of it. So I did some searching and found the WoolBuddy. It sounded good but I didn't want to pay so much for something if it wasn't necessary. So, to KZbin I came and found this video. Your comparisons were exactly what I needed and I'll be ordering the WoolBuddy mat. I can't thank you enough. And, I'll be watching more of your videos.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Ahh, thank you, yes, I like to get to the point, completely agree on the waffle. I really love my Woolbuddy mat, can't fault it. The foam mats are just very cheap for beginners to try and see if they like the craft without over spending but they do not last long. Thanks for watching xx

[@myfabulouslifewithlupus]

Thanks for sharing all this valuable information. I just wanted to mention the wool felting pad by Felted Sky. It is a little larger than the Woolbuudy - it is 11 inches square and 2 Inched high - and they are made in Nepal just like the Woolbuddy and I can vouch that even though the Felted Sky mat is thicker than the Woolbuddy they feel the same to work on. I guess size and cost are the only things you need to decide on. Also a partner I use for my Woolbuddy is the Wowee felt sheet from Living Felt. I got mine in black and it's about an inch smaller than the Woolbuddy but having a black sheet of felt and my Woolbuddy is white, it gives me the contrast I need to work on dark and light projects. It cost me around 5 dollars and I think for a half inch sheet of wool felt it's a good deal. Thanks again for all the great tips and I hope this helps someone.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

That's a great tip and always good to know where to buy other mats, thanks so much for commenting ❣️

[@sharonhutchinson3924]

I use the brush mat and multi needle tool when making ears, it really speeds it up.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

I think I should try and use it more often and maybe I would like it more, it's good to know you find it useful x

[@dianastankeviciute2766]

Extremely useful video, thanks! Just got a rice-filled felting mat and am so extremely angry that all my wool just gets stuck to it and instead of felting shapes it just ruins them completely. Now after watching your video I know that I can try getting a linen material to put on top that might stop this problem! And if not then I'll just have to come back to the good old foam mat and change it every month or more.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

I really love my woolbuddy but it does cost a little bit more however its lasted really well x

[@patphares6258]

Excellent review! Thank you…

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NicoleAlmendrada]

Thank you very much! I got a foam one with a starter kit and is time to replace it. I feel that in case of emergency I could make a felt one, but I’m really interested in the wool buddy. Thanks again!!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thank you, the wool buddy is definitely a great long term buy, lasts ages xx

[@kliffort8989]

I put a piece of cloth on my brush when doing 3D sculptures!

[@thejammiebricker2327]

I took your advice and purchased the same Wool Buddy mat that you preferred. Thank you for this and your other great videos. They really help answer the questions many of us have and you are a great ambassador for the craft.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thank you so much, I had all these questions in the beginning so I have tried to answer them all, I have more to go but getting there x

[@shammamurphy4172]

I agree 100%, woolbuddy is my favorite as well. Though when I make a little felt with a cookie cutter, I do like the really cheap black or white ones, they are so firm.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Yes, love my wool buddy x

[@tammykallatch6755]

Iam new at Felting so Iam a Sponge at this point so Iam enjoying your videos ☺️☺️☺️

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Sponge is great to start, I hope you are enjoying felting x

[@make-n-mend-Anglesey]

Great video very comprehensive information delivered appropriately for the subject. I like watching good instructors and teachers. I trained to be a teacher a thousand years ago but although it wasn’t for me as a career, I’m still fascinated by learning and teaching techniques. Erm, I haven’t done any felting at all but it’s calling to me. Being a cheapskate, I was going to have a go with a car sponge and probably will but best results in making anything come from skills together with the best tools and workspace you can afford. Thanks Philippa, yours is a “go-to” channel 😃

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thanks so much, that's very kind of you, glad you liked it. A sponge will work fine for a few sessions to see what you think, it might start to break apart so next cheapest is black foam, hope you enjoy it 🙂

[@shepherd4406]

Very helpful. Thank you. I will try wet felting one. I have done wet felting. Will look at your video on the mat you felted

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thank you, it worked really well and I was very pleased with the mat x

[@ruthannklos9649]

Very informative ...glad you told the tip about the buckwheat before I did that

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Yes, it went everywhere! Thanks for watching x

[@cindylillard2938]

Thank you for the info, i just recently purchased a wool buddy and a wool pad from Bear Creek felting it is just like the pillow one you have. I do love the my wool buddy. Have a good day and stay safe.🧡

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thanks Cindy, I really love my wool buddy too, it's just right for my makes, take care x

[@shirleybarnes3559]

Really useful thank you

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Glad it was helpful! x

[@tanyablencowe6568]

Great informative video Can't wait to make my own wool mat, love the round idea

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thanks so much, really like my mat, worth doing x

[@sharonhutchinson3924]

I watched a video from Sarafina Fiber Art the other day and she had a little tiny hessian mat that she used on top of her normal mat. She used it for putting inbetween legs and things and I thought that was quite a good idea. You could make a little one yourself to fit around things that you make on a regular basis.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Yes, I made a hessian one last year and it lasted quite well but a smaller one might work well, great idea, thanks x

[@RianShafer]

I love my Wool Buddy! I have actually worn dips into it just since November. Not sure if there's a way to fix that but I will be buying another when the time comes. I have one of those lint brushes because I have two cats & my chair is a magnet! lol Great idea for cleaning our pads! I ordered a black & white matt off Amazon as well thinking it better for colors etc. One thing I didn't realize was it is shaped like a clam and fairly small. So it rocks. The dark side is also much denser in texture & harder for me to see my darker projects on so there is that. The one you show looks much better!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

I love my woolbuddy, I just rotate it 90 degrees a lot, helps with dips x

[@amyb927]

On your Woolbuddy, have you tried using an iron on Wool setting? Firmed mine right up. Also, Woolbuddy has a KZbin on ways to care for them too.

[@MyzMyzterious32]

Ty the woolbuddy is what i was looking at last night. I have the large clover brush like one.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Love the woolbuddy, so support and quiet xx

[@MyzMyzterious32]

@@feltsbyphilippa also decided to make one for myself too as I feel I will enjoy it. I do like the sound when stabbing the cheap white foam

[@angelamoynahan2627]

For really large projects I use a green firm foam board that I got at my local home store (Home Depot).

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Sounds perfect, thanks for the tip x

[@1956HBS]

Hi Philippa, love your videos, is there a link somewhere to the green silicone mat you used please?

[@feltsbyphilippa]

If I reemeber correctly, it's from the Makerss so it should be on their website, thanks so much for watching xx

[@rachelwainwright2393]

Very helpful video, so useful to have a comparison of a few different types of mat... Just wondering if you found you got any transfer from the woolbuddy mat to your felted items? I'm very tempted to get one!! Thanks!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

No transfer, after I clean it I felt it a bit to keep it smooth, if I am doing an ear I just turn it regularly to stop it sticking so much and transferring x

[@amyb927]

Woolbuddy suggests using a regular razor if you can't get enough transfer off. Their KZbin video also explains how to clean them.

[@serenitynovalee5194]

Bought the brush matt recently due to it being on sale, didn't realize it's pull the wool lol. I am kinda new to felting, I've tried white foam and brush mat so far. Didn't think of using it for fur coats tho!!! Thank you!!! Also what's a good place to get eyes from? I want to make kinda realistic animals.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Most of my eyes are from Celloexpress on Etsy, here's my suppliers video if you need any more info x kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2a0h4uuer11oJo

[@heatheredwards7158]

Thank you! This is very helpful.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Glad you liked it.

[@chloromi1321]

Thank you for the video!!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Glad you liked it x

[@wonderlandbyavitabos]

Awesome! Thank you ❤

[@bethmegansmith4642]

I am getting the Eco felt mat from The Makerss at the end of the month :-)

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Seems a great mat, well made and eco friendly 😀

[@bethmegansmith4642]

@@feltsbyphilippa After a year of feting i have gone to hidi feathers and brought foam mats . i have saved the link for a wool buddy ,for when i eventually get a craft room

[@patsyashley4408]

Have you ever used crushed walnut shells for the inside? Just wondering if they would work? I stuff pincushions with the shells, supposed to sharpen pins and needles.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Well, no I haven't, buckwheat is softer but was fine, should be OK if used to sharpen pins, a good suggestion I might try x

[@annebelle1592]

Doesn’t the rice damage the sharpness of the needles? Just wondering.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

I really thought that too but it's fine and it doesn't seem to affect them x

[@Lilyflowers659]

The wool buddy is still at £22 so it’s a good price.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

I think it's great, still my favourite x

[@crimsonanna1980]

Thank you for the great information. I just bought my first kit, and it came with a styrofoam mat. Should I toss it and buy something better? Also, would a mat made from the polyester craft felt work well? I like the idea of a light and dark side to the mat. Has anyone used the upholstery foam as a filling and covered it in felt or muslin? I'm excited to try my first project and want to set myself up for success. Thank you so much!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Use your mat till it is unusable, bits come off it or the dent in the middle is too low. Not sure what polyester craft felt is but definitely worth a try. Upholstery foam is fine too but long term, get a mat that will last longer than 6 months or so, thanks for watching x

[@MyzMyzterious32]

If i get a purple woolbuddy, will the purple color fibers transfer to white wool?

[@feltsbyphilippa]

A small amount will especially if you are doing a light colour, get a piece of linen to put on the mat when you work to stop this xx

[@morganjollydoesmore3020]

I'm still at the beginning stages of needle felting and find the 2D Designs easier to do. I've tried the brush Mat, and I don't like it. Is there any alternative mat for making 2D designs? I've been using What you call an ironing mat, and I've pretty much destroyed it Since I didn't know you were supposed to put something over top of it. 'cause it came in a kit. I've been using it to make Circular coasters, and there Is a circle forming in the middle of my Mat from using it, Is there a way to fix it? Because the other mats I have from beginner kits are too small for making the coasters, I wanna make I found your video helpful as a Beginner to this craft, so thank you for sharing

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thank you for watching the video, so, when I 2D felt I simply use the foam mat for large pictures, I have quite a big mat or I put two together. If you have a wool mat and it's starting to depress then you can turn it over or add more wool, maybe wet felt it but it will take a bit of time. The Makerss mat where you replace the top bit might work better in the long run so you can replace it every so often xx

[@morganjollydoesmore3020]

@feltsbyphilippa thank you for replying to my comment it's very helpful

[@XoRacquel]

Thanks!

[@XoRacquel]

I tried really hard to find this video again to buy the felt mat cleaner and give you the commissions and after about 30 minutes I finally found it. So hopefully it worked, but just in case, I found the “buy thanks!” option 🥰 thanks for all of your videos - they’ve really helped me with my new craft ♡

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Hi Bri, I'm so sorry, I've only just seen this, thank you so much, that is extremely kind of you and very much appreciated, this super thanks is all new to me so sorry I didn't see it earlier. I hope you are enjoying the craft xx

[@kaylab9779]

I just use a sponge 😅 I know it'll last me a while tho cuz I don't really felt that often and when I do I air felt a lot (which I know isn't the best way to do it and my fingers have payed the price but whatever)

[@feltsbyphilippa]

It's fine, they are great to use in the beginning and easy to get hold of, if you're careful it will probably last quite well x

[@robinrowe8025]

I was wondering if the Woolbuddy was any good you got me sold . Try to got through your link said it cannot send it To my address . So I'll try my app hopefully I can get one . Thank you

[@feltsbyphilippa]

I have had my for nearly a year and I still love it, it's large, flat and very firm, thanks for trying my link, hope you can find it in your app x

[@DaveKeystone]

I bought a WoolBuddy but I find the fibers come off and get imbedded in my project. Any advice to avoid this? Mine's blue, and if I do a project that's not blue, I see all the fibres come off the WoolBuddy.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

I sometimes just felt it down a bit before I use it as it's quite fluffy when I scrape it with my cleaner. Use a piece of cotton or linen on top for different colours, especially with black or white, plus pull your work off frequently so there is no sticking and maybe lighter felting or finer needles. I occasionally get a green hair but just pull it out easily, hope this works for you, the woolbuddy is the best mat I've found xx

[@creationsvlogs8263]

Gretchen infomative Video

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thanks very much

[@KateMedland]

Any suggestions for a 2 D felt mat? I'm on my third project and already breaking down the cheap foam, so I see it being expensive in the long run. I'm right now making mine on felt squares purchased from the craft store. I hope to find a way to do this without great expense, but think my market would be 2 D right now. Thanks for the great video!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

My woolbuddy is a lovely big flat surface, worked really well for my latest 2d project or maybe an earth mat from the Makerss would work well. My woolbuddy has lasted 2 years with constant use so definitely worth it price wise x

[@KateMedland]

@@feltsbyphilippa thanks!

[@annebelle1592]

Where can I buy the wool buddy please?

[@feltsbyphilippa]

In description there is a link, just click on it and it will show you the same one as mine x

[@nervous_pup]

🙂