Needle Felting Next Steps 2D Picture-Based - Kirkby-in-Ashfield Library and Learning Centre - Adult Learning

Take your 2D needle felting skills to the next level by focusing on two specific themes: floral designs and animal or bird portraits. You’ll explore how to create a layered, expressive floral composition using wool, learning to blend colours, build form, and add fine detail. We will then look at how to create animal or bird studies—learning how to capture shape, texture, and character. You’ll use techniques like directional felting, fibre blending, and shading to bring your subject to life. This course is ideal if you’ve completed a beginners’ 2D felting course and are ready to explore more complex felting techniques.

What will learners achieve by the end of the course?

• Create a needle-felted floral composition using layered wool and blended colours.

• Use fine needle felting techniques to add detail and definition to petals, stems, and leaves.

• Plan and design a small animal or bird picture using a reference image.

• Use fibre direction, texture, and shading to capture features such as fur, feathers, or eyes.

What you will need to bring to the course:

Needle Felting Wool in a variety of colours - we will be looking at some flowers and then creating an animal or bird portrait, so try to get a good range of suitable colours.

-Needle Felting Needles – these come in different sizes: look for size 38 (medium) and size 40 or 42 (fine)

-Base Fabrics – these can be felt sheets (preferably wool or wool blend, buy any will work) or a loose weave cotton or linen.

-Needle Felting Needles – these come in different sizes: look for size 38 or a medium.

-Foam, dense sponge or felting brush to felt onto. An offcut of blue upholstery foam at least 20cm by 15cm and 5cm thick ( 8inches by 6 inches and 2.5 inches thick) is ideal.

-If you struggle with grip or dexterity in your hands, a felting needle holder (for single or 3 needles) can be helpful.

-Some tailors chalk, soft pencil or heat erasable pen.