Needlefelting an illustrated guide to creating characters from wool
Michelle Hickhan
The Crowwood Press
As a young artist, who was totally new to anything relating to the textile genre, I remember first teaching myself how to felt; then needle felt. I actually gained confidence using these skills which led me on to a career in textile art as a whole. Why did I begin with these? Because they were reachable, easy to learn and results could appear before my eyes in a beautiful way - it was magic at its very best - how can separate materials turn whole? Well. You will learn.
Yes this book holds no surprises in technical content - there is the usual introduction, the ‘before’ you begin. This book holds no big reveals about the artist behind the writing, which did surprise me at first as I am so used to reading textile art books where the author tells their “personal” journey into their craft. However I did not feel a lack - it was refreshing to see how this book was designed to encourage others without all the distractions.
It is a practical guide, plenty of pictures and nurtures readers to produce personal ideas, not representations.
What is special? Personally I loved the photos of the projects, they are not the usual sculptures seen in felt. They have been staged beautifully and have a real life to them. The ‘Coq Au Vin’ piece on page 88 and the what would you eat for breakfast piece on page 14 are my personal go-to’s.
As an author myself, I guess I had certain expectations format wise and I just loved the last Acknowledgements where she allows herself to get personal, giving open thanks to those whom she loves and has been nourished by herself.
The Crowood Press may be lesser known as some publishing houses, as it was to me. However that is what makes it special.
One last thing to note is that this book is soft-back.