I love the wool eggs I see on etsy and in blogs. I find them so much more lovely & subtle in their handmade-ness than the bright colored, hard, plastic variety. Besides, have you tried to close a plastic egg lately?! Is it just me or did they used to snap closed easier?
So anyway, I decided to make some wool eggs for the boy's Easter baskets. I've made wool balls & felted soap before. How hard could it be, right?
Well, the orange "egg" in the above photo was my first attempt. Yikes, right!? My first mistake was that I used a large plastic egg to mold it on. The dang egg popped open inside the wool as I was felting. I should of taped it up, right!?! Then I think I wrapped it too thickly and with too long of a strand.
I then went on to use my white wool, which seemed to work well. I saw a felting soap video (after my first attempt) that mentioned using thin short layers of wool. This time I used stone and wood eggs to felt them on. Why didn't I think of that to begin with?! The above eggs came out ok, they are quite thin. Ah well, I think they will work. I blanket stitched them with variegated embroidery thread in orange, yellow & rainbow.
The rainbow stitched ones are my favorite. Here they are, all ready to be stuffed with Easter goodies!
Next time I felt eggs I think I will have better understanding of how to make them. My first attempts certainly taught me what not to do!
And, I decided I just couldn't throw out that beautiful orange wool, so I snipped off the dangling pieces (lol) and cut it in half lengthwise and here it is all set to be sewed. A baby cradle? One of our gnomes will be all too happy to sleep in it I'm sure.
By the way, Check out Marcy's blog, It's a Simple Life. One of my little dolls is pictured, all cozy, in a wool egg. Can't wait to hear what her littles thought of their new Easter bunnies. I have a couple of these little bunnies left in my shop. I won't be able to get them to you by Easter of course but if you'd like them anyway, here's a code for 10% off. Just type in SPRING12 when you check out.
Have a wonderful Easter! Until next time...
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Oh goodness I did this about 2 weeks ago. I have yet to cut mine open bc I'm afraid I'll ruin it lol. I need to tho'. I'm afraid it will be thin too as I have about 8 balls of wool and all together they add up to like 2oz. or something and I used all of 1 color on the big plastic egg. I didn't tape mine closed either and when mine popped open mid-felt it was a pain to snap back together. I learned a lot with mine too! lol. Yours look good tho' and I love that cradle - I'm sure the gnomes will too! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteI know it's a bit scary to snip through them. But that was the part I was anticipating. The big reveal! Yikes, you snapped it back together while felting?! You're good! In my impatience and w/ a couple of choice words in my head, I tore it out. I don't think felting is for the impatient, lol!
DeleteYour felt eggs look great, I have wanted to try this as well, I will have to give it a go. I love needle felting and sewing with wool felt, but am still new at wet felting. Thanks for sharing your tips. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it definitely takes some practice. I'm anxious to try it again.
DeleteHAHA! I tried felted eggs and FAILED! Mine were smooshed and put in the center of a HUGE pile of wool dryer balls.. Yours look wonderful - even the orange blob- turned cradle!! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, so glad to hear I'm not alone in a first failed attempt. You're too kind! Good to see you here!
DeleteYou did a fantastic job!!!! I've found attempting new methods very rarely produces the perfect outcome we're anticipating but it's all about the trying for our wee ones that make it all worth while, success or fail! I love your eggs......you made them and that's all that matters xoxo You are a doll, by the way! Thank you for linking up to my blog. I can't wait for tomorrow morning, I may be more excited than the littles are! To see their little faces opening up their little eggs to find a little surprise......it's going to be great! Wishing you a lovely and fun Eastertide, my friend!
ReplyDeleteIt is so fun isn't it! I love the whole Easter surprise! In our family the Easter bunny always hid chocolate foiled eggs. So we'd wake up in the morning to a glittery foiled world. My boys love it. Please let me know their reaction Can't wait to hear.
DeleteI think they turned out wonderfully! I've done a lot of wet-felting around forms, and can suggest the polystyrene (styrofoam) eggs as one of the best materials to start out with. It has a good grip and the eggs don't slip around too much. Wood would be my second choice. Lots of thin layers crossing each other helps avoid thin spots and helps it felt well. Usually too much wool is better than not enough, you'll just have to work it a bit longer! I love how yours turned out though, even the orange one!
ReplyDeleteThe eggs are wonderful. I must say the sweet cradle is just too precious.
ReplyDeleteI followed you from Frontier Dreams. I think the eggs are very good.. and that wee little cradle (good save!) is just precious!
ReplyDeleteHere is my most recent project: http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-tuesday-bunnys-birthday-dress.html
Your eggs are just wonderful...I tried some this year too, but they didn't turn out as nice. I didn't know the hint to use thin short layers...next time. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteThese felt eggs are super- mine have never come out this well and your photographs are just beautiful!! Thank you so very much for sharing this with us on Seasonal Celebration! Hope you enjoy a beautiful weekend with your family. Rebecca @ Natural Mothers Network x
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