Lit'l Brown Bird

Lit'l Brown bird has shifted it's nest... Please click here to visit it's new home or go to http://litlbrownbird.com 

Since my post "Material List - Need or Need Not?" I've received quite a number of emails and comments and I have summarize them as follows:

For most beginners who just started sewing with felt, would prefer to have a material list so that they can clearly know what materials to get for the projects.

For intermediate sewer and most who have been working with felt for some time responded that a material list is not necessary for by looking at the final project they could simply figure out the amount of felt fabrics they require as well as the colors for the projects as most of the time they are not to get the exact colors and size mentioned in the list it varies according to the types of felt used.

For advance sewer, they too don't refer to the material list even if there's one as they find the list quite vague and they would rather base it on their own judgment from the picture of the final project. This is also what they will do with the Japanese crafts book where there are no English translation.

Base on the feedback, I've decided to include an extra page of instruction which contains a picture of the final item as well as a material list for all my future patterns. I will also backtrack and create a material list or all my past projects, for the benefits of the novice sewer to aid them in their materials purchase .

Thank you all for supporting Umecrafts and for your valuable feedback which help me progress and strive to create and offer better patterns, so please keep those comments coming.

Here's a quick glance at the materials used for felt projects:
- Felt fabrics (All projects)
- Threads (All projects)
- Fiber fill / Poly fill (Most projects)
- Cardboard (Some projects)

Other necessary materials includes scissors, sewing needles and (sometimes) pins.

Will cover more on the materials in my "Tips & Tutorials" Page, so do remember to bookmark "Lit'l Brown Bird"

Pleased to introduce my latest creation - Felt Grocery Set!

Grocery set

Groceries in Brown Bag

Here it is! Patterns & Tutorials for making your very own hand weaved Felt Picnic Basket as promised!

Woven Felt Picnic Basket

Includes the actual patterns cut-out as well detailed colored step-by-step instructions / directions. This time I've also included the materials list as requested.

Note: There isn't a lot of sewing for this project but involve more cutting & weaving. So be patient & have fun!!

Skill Level = Beginner/Intermediate

Click here to go to my tutorial page.

Please visit my etsy shop for more felt foods patterns & tutorials.

Should my patterns and instructions come with a Material List?

I've always suggest my customers to refer to the first step of every instruction for guide on the fabrics required for the projects.

Sometimes you might need a lot of brown but only a small piece of red fabric which you still have remain from your previous projects. If I were to put Brown felt x 3, Red felt x 1, customers might buy a whole piece of the red fabric only to realize that they only need a tiny bit which they have left overs from their previous projects.

Also the sizes of felt each individual uses are different, as for me, I use a 23" x 23" felt and some use A4 and others B5 size.

I'd welcome your comments and suggestions. If you have one, please feel free to email me at litlbrownbird@gmail.com.

Came out with this felt camera camera case by request. Turned out wasn't as bad as I thought.

Felt Camera Case

If you are having problem sewing on the cupcake lids. Help is here. Please visit my tutorial page for the additional instructions for fitting the lids on evenly.

Felt Assorted Cupcakes

In some of my instructions, I'll mention which stitches to use for the projects such as blanket stitch or back stitch.
If you are uncertain about how to sew these stitches, please check out my tips & techniques section for my step-by-step directions for the common 5 different types of stitches for hand stitching with felt including straight stitch, french knots, back stitch, whip stitch and blanket stitch.

Blanket Stitch

Thank you for supporting my Felt Patterns & Tutorials on etsy.

Different Skill Levels / Limit File Size
I strive to be as detailed as possible with my directions / tutorials but for some of you who are at the intermediate or advance levels, might find it frustrating with the lengthy instructions, which also result in very large files which gets rejected by some email server.

Updated Patterns & Instructions
As I create & test each pattern, I might come out with another or a better way of putting some of the items together which I have already posted and sold. It would be difficult to trace back and update those of you who have bought that particular patterns so with this blog I can post the updated instructions or amendments here where you can easily access and refer to anytime and anywhere.

Sewing, Patterns & Felting Hints & Tips
I'd also like to share with you some sewing, felting or crafting ideas, hints or tips which I find useful along with my experience, such as the types of hand sew felt stitches, necessary materials and accessories for your felt projects, and sewing, cutting, stuffing how to's etc.... 

Feedback, Suggestions & Communications
Some of you have left valuable feedback and great suggestions for me so with this blog, I can share them with the rest of you. I also hope that over here, other crafter & artisan can share their ideas, cross reference their craft blogs or sites, and interact with the community.

If you have a great idea, comments or suggestions that you find along the way and would like to share it, send it to me at litlbrownbird@gmail.com and I might just post it here!

Free Patterns & Tutorials
I will be offering free patterns & tutorials, sharing tips & techniques, uploading my other craft works as well as sharing great stuffs in my life as a mom and crafter.

New tutorials, tips, patterns, contests and freebies will be added regularly so don't forget to bookmark Lit'l Brown Bird at www.litlbrownbird.vox.com.

Thank you & God Bless!
- Jeanette -