Using Prefelt … Almost
I’ve been meaning to make more of my own prefelt for ages. I have some commercial prefelt, but thought it’d be nice to have some in other colours and even multi colours. I also had the idea I wanted to recreate a band logo or design or something. There was one I had in mind, with only 3 colours, so I thought I’d start small. The first colour I needed was red:
And, I also needed black, not as much, but I wanted to make enough in case of mistakes:
And it’s probably a good thing I did! I’ve only cut simple shapes from prefelt before, all freestyle I think. I might have been a bit too ambitious with my idea … Firstly, all the faffing around with the design, simplifying it to individual colours, then making those just outlines, enlarging, printing, cutting out etc, that all took a couple of hours. Then I couldn’t find anything to trace around the shapes and leave a clear outline. So, for now, I’ll just have to show you the shapes ready for tracing:
Those are the main shapes (flames), there are some smaller ones I’ll need to do too. I don’t think there’s enough black for too many mistakes, so I’ll have to be careful!
One thing I do have finished is a bird pod. Probably better for nesting material, I think.
And the back:
Have you overestimated how ‘simple’ a project should be?
13 thoughts on “Using Prefelt … Almost”
I underestimate how long or complicated something will be all the time. I think you have lots of black. Once you make a cut you line the next piece up against the cut. No gaps, so much less waist. What I have been using to mark my felt is a liquid pen. It’s a silver pen you get when you want to write fancy invitations. You have to shake it before using it and you need to press the end to start the flow. I think I got mine at the dollar store.
Thanks, Ann 🙂
I was going to try to get them close, but I didn’t think of doing one, then using the edge for the next, so thanks for that 🙂
I too underestimate time and difficulty of projects on nearly a daily basis. I always try to remember the KISS principal. Keep it simple stupid! Not to say you are stupid, that’s me.
The design part always takes longer than expected too. I look forward to seeing the finished piece.
The bird pod looks like a perfect addition to any tree.
Thanks, Ruth 🙂
yueah, the design or planning part always takes about 3 times as long as I think. ‘I’ll just quickly do this on Photoshop’, then I have 6 designs with a few variations each!
Yes, projects always take longer, sometimes much longer, than expected!
I’m looking forward to seeing your finished pre-felt project – how about using freezer paper to cut out your complicated shapes?
The bird pod is sweet and I’m sure the birds will love it.
Lyn what is freezer paper? is it the same as butcher paper? brown with a plastic coating on one side? do you iron it on and it’s easy to peal off?
Thanks, Lyn 🙂
I’ve looked for freezer paper so often. But thanks for the extra info, I’ll search it on Amazon. It won’t stop the frefelt attaching will it?
Hello Ann – it’s waxy one side and paper on the other so you can draw a shape on the paper side of the freezer paper then press it to the felt using a medium heat (no steam) for 2-3 seconds – leave to cool before cutting out. The paper should stick to the felt during cutting but then peel away easily.
I copied this from my mate google:
Freezer paper starts out like butcher paper, simple uncoated paper on rolls, but then it is poly coated on one side.
Ann – on Amazon, search for REYNOLDS freezer paper
Thanks Lyn.
It is available fairly inexpensively on ebay too, I found it much cheaper to buy a roll than the precut sheets. It works really well for cutting out complicated designs in prefelt or fabrics.
I always underestimate time and complication of a project. I try to figure out all the steps ahead, but there’s always something that changes or pops up during creation. Good luck with the design, the freezer paper sounds like a good idea. I like the bird pod. Been meaning to make one, but haven’t yet.
Thanks, Marilyn 🙂
I like doing bird pods, because I like to add loads of locks sent from Zara 🙂