😮 Let's trouble shoot why your needles keep breaking // Needle felting help 😊

[@catherinehartley7649]

Luckily I found Philippa early on in my felting journey. After wasting money on Amazon specials, I purchased a selection from Heidi Feathers. I was able to find out what needles do what and the ones I like using. I very rarely break them, only by doing something stupid. The cheap ones, I was breaking for fun. I'm still working with the original needles from Heidi Feathers after three years. Still very sharp. Cx

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Wonderful and thanks for sharing, I really do think its great to sample the different needles at some point as it can really help and make a difference to your felting, thanks for watching xx

[@mangomagpie]

Hi Philippa! I started felting a few weeks ago and your videos have been so helpful. Your tutorial videos have helped me with technique and I love to watch your studio vlogs while I felt. You advice that you get better with every felt has certainly helped me keep going and improving - thank you! 🩷

[@feltsbyphilippa]

You are so welcome! Sometimes you don't notice your improvements but practice really is the best way to improve, thanks for watching the channel xx

[@carlasilva4381]

I’ve been crazy busy and haven’t been able to watch your channel. I really miss you sharing your talent with us. Thanks so much. I’ve learned so much from you.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thank you and no problem, my videos will be around for years hopefully! Lovely to hear from you xx

[@jenford7078]

My gray felt mat like yours is the thing that breaks my needles, now that I know that I will continue to enjoy this craft I will invest in good needles as advised by you. Thanks, as always!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Yes, I keep my needles in the top corner and sometimes I knock them and they snap so I try to be more careful. I think it's ok if they stay in your mat, well, I have tried to remove them but it's hard to find them xx

[@Chiamex]

Thank you. This was very informative and helpful. I appreciate the sharing of the knowledge you have gained as an experienced felter.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

No problem and thanks for watching xx

[@xtraChloenary-Feltmaker]

One thing I have to add: What is also important is that you should store needles at room temperature. I once left mine overnight in a room that wasn't heated at a craft fair in December. Next day I had a lot of breakage. So now I know to not let them get too cold. (It's common sense, really, so I get why you didn't mention it, but after a craft fair day most of the time there is exhaustion and a bit of brain fog, so yeah, that happened. And now people can learn from my mistake^^)

[@feltsbyphilippa]

My goodness, I didn't even think of that, a very good point, thanks for adding it xx

[@notdavea5778]

Excellent topic. I will be ordering new needles. I need to find your video about different types of needles

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thank you, it's under my technical playlist, hope you find it xx

[@bethmegansmith4642]

I use hidi feathers I am left handed needle felter hahahaha thanks for sharing xxxxx Happy summer time xxxxxx

[@feltsbyphilippa]

You too!! xx

[@saras4507]

Just listened to your podcast, really helpful as am currently in a rut but keen to get going again

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thank you! I finally managed to add a few more so thanks for listening xx

[@dodosmamma1692]

When I first started needle felting, I bought quite a few kits. All of them were from a well known craft company that included needles with their kits. The wool, instructions and step by step photos were great, but the needles snapped too easily. Some of the needles left black marks on my work too. I’m probably the only person in the world of needle felting that dislikes the needles from Heidi Feathers. I find them overrated and not worth the hype. Instead, I love needles from The Makerss and Simply Felting and I avoid cheap needles for obvious reasons. 🙏💕

[@feltsbyphilippa]

In that case I really should try them, I have bought Groz Beckert needles and didn't find them much different to most needles. It is a disappointment when companies have good kits and the needles let it down xx

[@ritam-pearson1943]

Excellent explanation. Thank you

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Glad you liked it

[@danareed1656]

great video!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Thanks!

[@dawnlawrence3372]

Thanks for the info Pippa. I’m struggling a bit with needle breakage at the moment as I’m doing my first larger horse with wire in the core. The wire is covered with pipe cleaners and when I felt I keep hitting the wire which not only makes me cringe but has broken a few needles. I always use good quality needles too. What needle would you recommend? Cheers

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Hi Dawn, I think a 38 triangular should work. It's hard because a 36 won't quite catch all the hairs on a fine leg but wouldn't break as much. The angle is very important too though. I go really shallow and almost felt up or down the leg at about 20 degrees to the leg itself. Once the wool is on I generally go to a 40 to catch the last hairs xx

[@denisea6936]

A really interesting video thanks Philippa. Do you ever wear protective glasses?

[@feltsbyphilippa]

No but that's a good point, as I have glasses I feel relatively ok and most needles break into the item you are creating however I do get the odd ping off into the room! xx

[@emma_s.234]

Thanks for this video, Philippa! I noticed when I purchased a felting gun, the needle loaded into it was very long compared to my other needles. I wonder if you have any experience with different needle lengths? I use you trick and store my needles in wool and I love that method!

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Hi Emma, yes, I have had several slightly longer needles, my 32 triangular at the moment is longer but I am not sure where I purchased this from. I quite like them being a bit longer. I'm thinking it was from a shop in Canada but really can't remember xx

[@feltsbyphilippa]

I found it, it was from The Felt Box, they are 3.5 inches long in a 32 or a 36 xx

[@emma_s.234]

@@feltsbyphilippa Thank you so much for the taking the time and letting me know!

[@carlasilva4381]

Which mat do you recommend ? I’m really getting into needle felting and want to do it the right way.

[@feltsbyphilippa]

A wool mat is the most comfortable but more expensive, check out my video on mats in my beginner playlist xx

[@elainejanemarshall8578]

Hi Philippa can i ask did you need a special plug for the needle felting machine you showed in one of your videos from Ukraine Thanks in advance x

[@feltsbyphilippa]

Yes I did, it was a European plug so I got a simple converter xx

[@elainejanemarshall8578]

@@feltsbyphilippa Thank you xx