Needle Felting Doll Tutorial Part 1- Armature How To Needle Felt a Doll

[@LynardSkynard1608]

I think I just found a new passion! Your tutorials are awesome, thanks for introducing me to needle felting!!!

[@LivingFelt]

That is so fun, Lynn!! :)

[@CherieDavidsonCreations]

This is a really good tutorial; great details, good technique demonstrations, and very easy to follow! Even though I've been needle felting dolls for years now, there are a few techniques and things that taught me a few new things...I love that! Thank you Marie, and Living Felt Fairies!

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much, Cherie!!! We appreciate your kind feedback and support! LOVE your dolls too. Oh & P.S. ... Marie said to tell you we have some new colors coming up soooon....we think you might like ;)

[@CherieDavidsonCreations]

Thank you very much. Oh, and new colors?! Yippee!!!! I can hardly wait to see...and sink my needle into them! LOL

[@LivingFelt]

Oh yes, if we hustle, we can show them off tomorrow during Wooly Wednesday live :)

[@CherieDavidsonCreations]

Such a tease!!! LOL

[@sandraowusu-ansah1610]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. You are the first to make the process of doll making through felting easy. I am in my 70's and I can actually follow and understand

[@recreepy]

Your dolls and puppets are so lifelike and expressive, I can feel their emotions and personalities. You are a master of your craft!

[@bereaviles7229]

Thanks for the video, it's excellent, here in Mexico I do not find many classes of this kind, and I'm dying to see the continuation

[@LivingFelt]

Thank YOU very much, Bere for the feedback. We continue tomorrow 07/20 @ 12:30PM Central time. It will be LIVE on fb.com/livingfelt and we will post to youtube as soon as we can :)

[@knittingpoppy]

I really can't thank you enough for such a high quality tutorial. I'm new to needle felting and had only done two little animals before attempting a doll. You have made it so clear with so many helpful tips and tricks. My daughter is an illustrator and has drawn our character which remarkably, thanks to you, I am sculpting with wool!

[@glennashaw3253]

I've made several dolls, but your tips on fingers just improved my results immediately! Bending the wire in half, then folding the wool over the fingertips, and pinching wire closed, then wrapping is such a great idea. And your MC-1 is fantastic! Thank you for sharing, Marie.

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you!

[@bagsandbling7564]

What a fantastic, right to the point, informational video! I've been crafting for over 40 years and never heard of needle felting until today and I am so excited to try it. Off to check out your website.

[@susanhagan7500]

Hi, Susan from Bulgaria. Great video. Clear, enthusiastic, informative...never off the subject. Beautiful dolls! I am a fan. Thank you.

[@TheKellygirl6]

Just started my doll! My kids are back in school so I have more time. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these great lessons for everyone. Your directions are so clear that I don't have any questions! Now to decide what person to make! lol

[@LivingFelt]

That is AWESOME, Kelly! You are so creative, I know your doll will be delightful. Looking forward to seeing it :)

[@shantellcarrizales7340]

This series is WONDERFUL. so helpful, i had so many "aha!" moments.

[@LivingFelt]

I am so happy to hear that Shantall! :) I hope to see your doll when you make your next :)

[@susanwoodley3005]

Watching this for the first time. When you said that Gregory was from the Ukraine, my heart lurched. I hope he and his family are ok. If you stay in touch with him, please send my prayers.

[@lindabeyette1772]

I am very excited to start my dell making from your technique I have to buy the tools first and the fiber and download of you first video I love the banter onto video number two and soon

[@pays2kissntell]

Sorry, First thing I should have said is WOW such an awesome tutorial. Thank you so much. Just ordered all your flesh tones got them for my Bday. Thank you again!

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much, Marina! and thank you for felting with us, we hope you like the MC-1 Batts :)

[@rebeccaclark2614]

I just stumbled across similar needle felting doll class, but then found out how expensive it was and that I can't buy it. I cannot tell you how happy it made me to found out your free tutorial!!

[@LivingFelt]

Oh we are so glad you found it and wishing you a great time making yours :)

[@RianShafer]

This was all fascinating! Thank you so much. Since I'm from the future (10/30/21) I don't have to wait for next week's class! lol Can't wait to watch even more. I absolutely love your dolls and they are exactly what I like!

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you and HAVE fun!

[@RianShafer]

@@LivingFelt I am loving it & the FB group too! I'm almost ready to share my first project. Wish I had used the metal armature in her but it's ok, she doesn't have to stand by herself. I've book marked this page to come back to each time I make one of her size & others from now on. Thanks so much to you & the fairies for all you do.

[@kimsayreartistandphotograp7129]

Marie, this is just what I needed today! Namaste!!!

[@LivingFelt]

so glad to hear it, Kim!

[@christineeverett2679]

Really excited about this podcast, I am 62, live in the uk and have been desperate to find a detailed instruction for this subject. Thank you so much for taking the time to go into detail.😊👍💜

[@LivingFelt]

Awe, you are welcome, Christine! So happy you are enjoying it, and thank you for your lovely note :)

[@rosemoon4482]

Such a wonderful tutorial!! And you’re a joy to learn from, so upbeat and encouraging ⭐️ 🌸 I’m in the U.K and I will be watching this again and again, and all the other parts, to make my first armature creation!😁 Big thanks to you 💕🌸🌈💫⭐️ x

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much, Rose. Your lovely comments are very uplifting, I hope you have great fun making your felt creation :)

[@rosemoon4482]

LivingFelt 💜

[@chocmintz]

This is one of my favourite tutorials and I’ve used this as the basis for several projects. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@jellybean8040]

Thank you so much for sharing ur classes for free. You are very generous. I am buying a doll kit .Can't wait to start making a witch ,Santa and Mrs Santa.Iam grateful to be apart Living Felt.

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you!! 🤗

[@Ayeloroz]

I just watched part one of making a doll. I couldn’t have found you at a better time! Looking forward to watching all of your instructional videos and making my first dolls for my granddaughters! Thank you so much for what you do!

[@Indigo6g]

Marie, thanks so much for doing these tutorials! Love your directions and pacing.. ❤️

[@LivingFelt]

Indigo6g you are very kind, I am grateful for your feedback :)

[@sophialesterfoxakasha8815]

Thank you so much. You're so awesome. I pray I can come close to how amazing you are. I can't thank you enough. You made being in quarantine so much better. God bless you and yours Namaste

[@KaterinaVodrazkova]

Such a great tutorial!!! Very clear and helpful demonstration. Looking forward to the next parts.

[@LivingFelt]

That is very nice of you to say, Katerina, thank you :) Part 2 is online now, and we shoot Part 3 this coming Friday 07/27 ... it will be LIVE at 12:30pm Central on fb.com/livingfelt

[@lisahigham4119]

Hi Im from New Zealand and have fallen inlove with needle felting. I love the dolls and am trying to do one myself.

[@lteducation2224]

This was a great series of tutorials - thank you! I’ve just finished my first doll and I’m really pleased with him!

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much! We are so happy to hear it and hope you will share your doll in our fb group. ♡

[@jeanettebaxter8472]

This looks like a fun project to keep me busy for awhile. So excited.

[@PamDuthie]

Your people dolls are the best ever !

[@LivingFelt]

You are very kind, Pam. Thank you so much :)

[@debbiemonce6286]

You are a FANTASTIC TEACHER! Very thorough and you make it seem so easy to do.

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much, Debbie :) I hope you have lots of fun felting your own doll :)

[@Postal_Dudes_Shovel]

Ooo this is definitely a great tutorial!! Now i can practice by creating my own characters in doll form!! Thank you so much for this tutorial aaaa!!!

[@LivingFelt]

That is exactly what go me started felting more than 15 years ago...I wanted to sculpt the characters I was drawing in colorful wool... :) Can't wait to see what you make! Hope you will share in our group www.fb.com/groups/livingfeltfriends

[@Councilof8for43]

Received my order in only 2 days and I am on the East Coast!! The armature kit I ordered has EVERYTHING I need to get going...I just needed to add the courage lol! 😂 Almost through the first video and my armature actually looks pretty decent...onto video 2. Thanks Marie and Fairies...love you guys!! ❤️

[@LivingFelt]

Thanks for the lovely feedback and we are so happy the post moved quickly :) Wishing you lots of fun and share your progress in the group! ♡♡

[@Councilof8for43]

@@LivingFelt I will definitely share my final result (no matter good or not-so-good) so you can provide some constructive criticism to help with my next one! This is super fun though...I think I found my new craft addiction! 😮😆 (Hubby will be SOOOOOO pleased...sarcastically speaking)!!

[@wendyarneson939]

Excellent start! Loving your videos!! Please keep them coming. P.S. I love that you’ve embraced your silver hair in the more recent videos, you look just lovely.

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you, Wendy :)

[@chrismarling5270]

Thank you so much for sharing your talent Marie, you are amazing. This is the first time I have worked with armature so I am very excited to see how it turns out 💕💕💕

[@LivingFelt]

How fun, Chris! You are very kind, I look forward to seeing your doll! :)

[@cathlowe6752]

Loving this tutorial, Your instruction is very clear and the tips you share are wonderful. so much good information in this one video. Nova Scotia

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much, Cath! I really appreciate that :)

[@debbiewidner5676]

New subscriber! Wonderful instructions. Thank you very much!

[@bjstone6610]

Im going to attempt dolls soon, this was a great video.

[@LivingFelt]

That is awesome! :) we wish you so much fun!

[@traceystudd1551]

Thanks I don't have much actual core wool but have managed to get quite a lot of dyed colours that I wanted to use. Thanks for your reply it is greatly appreciated. I love what you are doing. Giving me lots of ideas that I would like to give a try further down the road.

[@LivingFelt]

Our pleasure, Tracey! Wishing you lots of fun exploring your ideas :)

[@nancymurphy2122]

My first time watching I'm doing to make my first doll ! Nancy from Charlton ma.

[@susanwhaitiri9749]

Whoo hoo I finally got to go back and watch this as I missed it when it first came up sure hope I get time to watch the 2nd one tomorrow really loved it thank you so so much Marie 🥀🥰

[@stinkyandthebrain]

This video was incredibly helpful! I need to catch one of these live sessions so I can felt with people

[@carol.Gibson]

What size is the finished doll? Love this tutorial, but I want to make smaller dolls, and I'm trying to figure out how to change the lengths of wire to cut. Thanks!

[@patpollett3684]

This is new to me. I am waiting on my kit .thank you for sharing your knowledge . I am very excited to try to do this I live in Florida 😁

[@gemapoyatos672]

Thanks for this awesome tutorial, so well explained! . Greetings from Spain

[@SewArtStudio]

I love this! Thank you so much. I have all sorts of ideas now! This was great!

[@LivingFelt]

we are so happy to hear it :)

[@valeriecourtney5725]

So happy to have found you. Looking forward to learning .

[@LivingFelt]

Wishing you lots of fun! :)

[@EccentricLefty]

Thank you for an excellent tutorial. I would eventually like to felt Pink Diamond from Steven Universe, but i need to find inspiration for a practice doll.

[@LivingFelt]

T Thank you so much, Austin! :) You could totally do that doll ... It looks like it would be a lot of fun :) I hope you will share it when you make her.

[@Councilof8for43]

Oh those would make great felted dolls! If you end up doing them I would love to see the final results. Please share in the Facebook group in you can!

[@zinatrahimi4517]

I am Iranian you're wonderful. I learned a lot from you and I am very happy. Thank you

[@valerie-og4ui]

12:49 all your classes are exceptional ! Bless our friend in the Ukraine , the artist who created a replica of you.

[@fritzalot]

Thank you for this series of videos.

[@clareb2011]

marie you are brilliant ..thank you for all your videos you are a great teacher and i keep coming back to your videos!

[@MoyaSchell]

Thank you for this tutorial series! Im making a stop motion puppet for a school project and wanted to make it with needle felting because I've found myself to be decent at it but havent found an armature style that i liked until i found this, the doll is bigger then i wanted it to be but its all trial and error😊

[@LivingFelt]

Our pleasure, Moya, and thank you for the nice note ♡ Your project sounds like a great adventure and it fun that needle felting suits you. This same armature style works for smaller dolls too :)

[@adridewit-vanziel2267]

Marie, you are great, thx again for the great lesson. Love it so much.

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much, Adri!!! Wishing you lots and lots of fun! 😊

[@dianneelmer7749]

Love your teaching method. I am new to felting. I will absolutely see you in the future

[@bonnygruber1325]

I will be watching this a few times before I try it

[@LivingFelt]

Wishing you lots of fun, Bonny!

[@vickeyf2298]

Brilliant technique for the fingers. I’ve struggled with this for so long. I’m going to make some fingers now 🙂

[@libbybanks9214]

Hey Marie... my first time joining, I’m so excited. I’m in NC

[@LivingFelt]

Hi Libby :) We go "live" in about 1.5 hours, hope you can join us there also :) If you susbcribe to our channel and HIT THE BELL you should get notified of the live.

[@pusser60]

thanks, great video. looking forward to the next :) greetings from Denmark

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much for your feedback! We hope to see pictures of your dolls if you felt one too :)

[@jeanettebaxter8472]

This was fun. Look forward to the next one.

[@thethrifteddragon8157]

Thanks for sharing! I'm making polymer clay head, hands and feet to go on my armature. This helped me create a posable figure:)

[@LivingFelt]

So happy to hear it, Denessa! My brief foray into making polymer clay dolls definitely influenced how I approach felted dolls. I really liked working with the polymer clay as well, very satisfying :) Have fun!

[@anafe57]

Great tutorial !!!!,thanks for teaching us!!!!following You from Chile

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you very much, anafe57! So happy to hear you are enjoying it :)

[@shraddhagokhale5979]

Excellent video. Thanks from India!!

[@Councilof8for43]

Question...for stiffening the fingers you used Paverpol. I can't seem to find that product ANYWHERE. Any suggestions on where I can find it? Or what I can use to substitute it that would be comparable? Thanks! 😊 #imnew #felterinplace #woolywednesdayrocks

[@LivingFelt]

sorry we missed this...we are now using Aileene's fabric stiffener

[@Councilof8for43]

@@LivingFelt No problem at all...I can only imagine how busy you gals must be as of late. Thank for letting me know what you are using. I happen to have that product so I am good! ❤️ Stay healthy!

[@pays2kissntell]

You were saying on the head rough then smoother I seem to have trouble with that, am sure its the needle but dont know where to change or what # to change to

[@savannahatlantasnail]

Hiya I’m a new subscriber, this is a great starter video 😁😁 making needle felted animations and this was really helpful. Thank you 😁

[@vanessavillegas2786]

esto video fue de muchísima ayuda, el más informativo y fácil de entender, con los mejores consejos y demostrando un trabajo estupendo !!! muchas gracias por esto, realmente he aprendido y me siento motivada 🧡🧡🧡

[@LivingFelt]

Gracias!

[@MwGoRu]

Geweldig !!! Dit wordt waarschijnlijk mijn nieuwe hobby.

[@LivingFelt]

Veel plezier! We hopen je pop te zien :)

[@judyan6984]

I just recently found your videos, btw your amazing, I have a question on the size of the bodies if you want to make dolls of different sizes how do you know what length the parts of the body should be??

[@barbaramatthews4735]

I have that book (The one by Jack Hamm)! I'm new to feltingand never would have thought to use artist drawing books.

[@suevanlith681]

This is so helpful...I've learned so much already! My armature stands, but is a bit wobbly...I think my feet loops are a bit small. Will I be able to improve her stability when I add boots, or should I redo them now? Thanks for all the wonderful tips!

[@LivingFelt]

HI Susan, I am so glad to hear it! For the feet loops, you could make them wider/longer...you could also make little platform shoes to help it stand...really depends on how much you need to enlarge them :)

[@jodidonovan3191]

Fantastic video! I just started needle felting and this was SOOO informative. Thank you

[@tracybuford9243]

I never knew about this. Don’t know how I got here but tell me why am I now getting ready to buy wool and felting needles?????

[@LivingFelt]

Welcome Tracy! Are you interested to make dolls or.... something else?

[@tracybuford9243]

LivingFelt I am now cause I just ordered wool and needles and wire lol. What is this mind trickery? 😂😂😂. She is GOOD!

[@LivingFelt]

@@tracybuford9243 Sweet! Thank you for ordering with us :) Hope you will join our fb group and share what you get up to...lots of nice friends and inspiration there. www.fb.com/groups/livingfeltfriends

[@tracybuford9243]

LivingFelt I sure will. Thanks. Can’t wait to get my supplies. 😍

[@LynardSkynard1608]

I’m right with you Tracy! Why did I never know about this craft! Will be ordering this weekend!!! Thanks LivingFelt!!

[@shugavery222]

I am so incredibly excited to go through this series!! Thank you Marie!

[@LivingFelt]

Becky Kowalczyk wishing you so much fun!!

[@lindahughes4472]

here for the first time, just learning

[@LivingFelt]

Thanks for watching, Linda! :)

[@lisadellow305]

Thank you so much for this great tutorial. Enjoying following you from the UK. Is there something I can use instead of Paverpol? We don't seem to have it in the UK. Thank you

[@LivingFelt]

Hello Lisa, Thank you for you r kind comment :) In place of Paverpol, yes, try a fabric stiffner. We use it 50/50 diluted with water and very little is required.

[@daniellefreeman7963]

Here for the first time. Enjoying the videos. I don't have a plan for my doll yet.

[@sybersis1]

hello Felters Tammy here from Red Bluff CA, my daughter is listening via cell we both like this

[@helenhaines4576]

Wow fantastic can't wait to watch the rest xxx thank you

[@LivingFelt]

So glad, Helen...have fun! :)

[@jyothiwarrier2470]

Hi!!!I am from India...great video...can you tell me the thickness of the wire..thank you

[@elainemcbride6517]

I am interested in doing this instead of doing polymer clay dolls. Is this batting just regular quilt batting?

[@marialiebl9051]

ganz tolle Arbeit es sind kl Kunstwerke supergut bleibt Gesund

[@terryanderson5038]

Great series! Anyway of you telling me what size the doll will be, please, and thank you.

[@LivingFelt]

The dolls we finish in this series are around 20" tall....

[@carolneill9955]

Firstly thank you so much for putting so much time into these tutorials, they are awesome. :) I just have a small question regarding the legs. I have just finished the feet and noticed that the legs are 8 inches long which seem way out of proportion to the rest of the armature. Have I done something wrong somewhere along the way or are they this long for a reason?

[@LivingFelt]

Hi Cazz, thank you for your feedback and your question :) Photos always help me provide support...so I will post a picture of my current male doll "wip" with a ruler on our facebook page at facebook.com/livingfelt I invite you to go there and see the measurements with the body "finished" ... and even post a photo of yours. It will help me provide better assistance ;)

[@lindagreen8220]

Can you still get the doll kit. 2023

[@lanlounzy]

So you just wrap the wool around the body without felting it, just wrap it tight and that's all?

[@LivingFelt]

It really depends on the wool...our CW-1 Core wool will grab onto itself and you can MINIMIZE the amount of needle felting. Also see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iorNgGp3btd7erc

[@jeanneluddeni5159]

How great a video is that thanks

[@RoeRoe123]

Sweet lady I know your thumb is aching, you really should utilize your pliers more. You could start the end and even put some torque into wrapping your wire if you wished. I've done tile and stone for years, having to tie forms. As a lady who had really strong hands at the time, it still saved me a lot of Tendonitis... and getting poked when the end comes flying loose 😉 Your tutorials are AMAZING ❤ May I adopt you as my sister? 🤗 Your entire group is wonderful. I feel like I almost have a family again. You have no idea the fulfillment that your energy and spirits gives to us all. Thank you to all of you. Thank you for the wonderful doll tutorial and HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR! 🎉🎊

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you for your care...its all better now for well over a year...no recurrence :)

[@RoeRoe123]

@@LivingFelt 👍👍👍👍👍😁

[@jodieharmon8232]

I’m seeing this for the first time and I do have a project that I would like to try or emulate: These Outlander characters Claire and Jamie, and I will try to send this photo. They are very simple dolls.

[@LivingFelt]

That sounds like fun project! :)

[@chrislabrie4233]

I just loved this, can't wait try and start my doll

[@mariancook262]

Thank you. very informative , cant wait to start my own doll. thanks again.

[@thecatandthewitch3428]

absolutely STUNNING!

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you, Serena!

[@quo_tations1838]

Is it helpful for stop motion puppet? For rigging etc

[@LivingFelt]

We have never made one. If the wires need to move a lot, they could break over time.

[@susancunningham8805]

#first Susan from Iowa. Did you say how long you make your fingers?

[@LivingFelt]

Hi Susan, I did not state...The finger wires should be 8-10" long (at least a few @ 10"), folded in half, and then if your armature is the same size as mine, the fingers can be about 1.5" long...but make sure to taper it down because some of that becomes the hand. If you find you need to make them bigger later, you can add to them. Some of the wires will then wrap around the arm and others will get cut off.

[@kathiemartin3849]

Fabulous tutorial thank you!

[@LivingFelt]

Thank you so much, Kathie :)

[@victoriamcclain2577]

Can you put together a skin tone bundle?

[@LivingFelt]

Hi Victoria! We have now 10 different colors that people use for skin tones in our MC-1 line, and you can get them in quantities as small as .5oz...so you can just pick the ones you want! :) They are all here: feltingsupplies.livingfelt.com/Flesh-or-Skin-Tone-Wool-MC-1_c_101.html (not all are shown in the group photo)

[@amandacarter6611]

This is so cool. Can you use different colors for the body. Example pink, blue ect?

[@LivingFelt]

Indeed, Amanda! But as this is more of an "Under body", we use a "core wool", our CW-1 Core Wool as it is less expensive than dyed wool. Then you can put your colored wool on top :) We do this in the needle felted clothes section...but of course you can have just a "body" also :) Anything you want!

[@karenvaage6040]

Hi Marie have you got a video tutorial on feet that can stand like in a shoe or elf boot. I’m making a grinch and he won’t stand at the moment. Any tricks up your sleeve please. Love this who series thank you Karen

[@LivingFelt]

Hi Karen, thanks for this question. We do teach shoes in this doll series and show how you might create a rigid bottom shoe --- see the green slippers on our granny. We think the best approach is the doll must be able to stand at the armature stage, then do your best to keep the wool flat on the bottom as you progress. The shoe tutorial may be helpful.

[@silviaroman1827]

I was wonder id this poseable felt dolls can make a stop motion? because i beeing serching for cheapest ways to do stop motion characters

[@LivingFelt]

Yes, the dolls are poseable, but be mindful that over bending wires repeatedly in the same spot could break them off in side the wool. For stop motion, I would consider smaller, chenille stem wire for the arms.

[@AnnaZombi]

Uhm, I know this is a bit late to the party, but I wanted to know if armature wire size was specific to the size of the doll? Is that something you mentioned earlier in the video?

[@LivingFelt]

Hi Anna, yes, if making a smaller doll, we will lean towards thinner wires.

[@tinavanegdom9250]

Hi ,Tina from Brisbane Australia.