These are reverse needles. Their barbs go in the opposite direction. So instead of the barbs pushing the wool in, the barbs pull the wool out.
My friend master felter Bobbie Ripperger sent me these in the mail. She knew that I had been rooting mohair into the felted muzzles of my bears. She thought that these little gems would help me out around the nose and eye are where the hair is short. And she was right.
The fur right around the bears nose has not been rooted in. It has been pulled out with the help of this needle. Doesn’t it look natural? I really can not tell the difference between what has been rooted in and what has been pulled out. I also poked it throughout the muzzle area. It pulled out enough hairs from the felt that I didn’t have to root in as much. These would be a help to anyone wanting to add some fur to their felting.
Sadly these needles are no longer being produced. But Bobbie purchased a large lot of them from the manufacturer. She has them but has not added them to her website yet. If you are interested they are $1.25 a piece or $.85 for orders of 25 or more plus postage. You can send order inquiries to this address.
If you are interested in seeing more of Bobbie’s realistic felted bears you can visit her website. Or visit her blog for needle felting information.
Thank you Bobbie for these needles. They were exactly what I needed, and I didn’t even know it.
That is so cool! Thanks for sharing, Joanne :0) I just emailed Bobbie.
ReplyDeleteA maizing. So if you ran your fingers down the shaft the barbs would be pointing up. Is that right?. Every day I learn something new. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Kay
They are really cool needles. Yes Kay, the barb is pointing up.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks bunches, Joanne! I just emailed her, too. I will definitely make more bears with taxidermy eyes and needle felting around them if I can do it without taking forever and a day to re-root the mohair afterwards!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Janice
That looks fab!
ReplyDeleteWow, it's great to have a friend with a good idea that they act on!! That was so sweet of her to share, that's what this creating thing is all about. As always I love your work and Madera!
ReplyDeleteHappy creating!!
Debbie
x0x0
P.S. heading over to Bobbie's site now!!
Thanks Joanne!!! I have emailed too! What a great thing to share!! You are all so lovely!
ReplyDeleteHugs Lindaxx
LOL - I've worked with these needles for quite a while and even I cannot tell which fibers have been needled in and which have been pulled out! That's a great image you posted to demonstrate this needle's effectiveness.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, the post you've made is up to your usual very high Studio standards, another excellent tut!
THX, Joanne,
Bobbie
Awesome post Joanne! I didn't know these existed... and I've contacted Bobbie for some. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Melisa
Great post Joanne! I have order some from Bobbie as well.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Linda
Who'd have thought it?! What a great tool. Many thanks for the information
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! It is amazing how real it looks!! I am definitely going to look into them! Thank you & thank you also for your sweet words you left on my blog today..:)You made my day.
ReplyDeletehugs, doreen
I know where my birthday money is going this year...thanks for the heads up, hope she has some left .
ReplyDeleteWell, for heaven's sake! Who knew they even existed. I've only been doing tiny bears... and if I want furry needle felts...I have been plucking bits of mohair from some fabric closely resembling my little bears...and then needling it in a few hairs at a time... sort of time consuming... but not too bad, and I like the look of it. I might have to consider trying a few of these needles just for the fun of it....
ReplyDelete