How to Make Felt Sweets Motifs ~Including Tips for Marking and Cutting Felt~

What is felt?

Felt is a general term for sheet-like products made by collecting and compressing materials such as wool and polyester. It is produced by adding water or an alkaline solution, applying pressure, and then kneading or rolling the material. Because it doesn't fray like cloth, it's a convenient material for DIY projects.

How to make sweets motifs using felt

◇Materials needed

・フェルト

Embroidery thread

・Quilting batting

◇ How to make whipped cream

By layering felt and doing a little bit of work, you can create something that looks just like whipped cream!

Prepare eight pieces of white felt in the shape of half a teardrop. (A full-size pattern is included at the end of the page.)

Layer four pieces of white felt and sew a whip stitch from the bottom. (I'm using a brightly colored thread for clarity.)

Make another piece of ②, put the two together, and sew them together by picking up the threads that were whipstitched in ② from the bottom up.

③ Pull the thread you picked up a little to tighten it, and while twisting the entire felt, pass the needle from top to bottom.

Secure the shape as is, tie a knot, cut the thread, and you're done.

◇ How to grow melons

The melon rind is uniquely represented with random stitches!

Prepare felt cut into the shape of a melon or rind, embroidery thread, and batting. (A full-size pattern is at the end of the page.)

Embroider randomly onto felt/melon rind (yellow-green) using straight stitches (light yellow, 2 strands).

Sew two pieces of felt/melon flesh (light yellow) and the felt/melon side together using a blanket stitch (light yellow, single strand).

Insert batting into ③, and sew ② together using a blanket stitch (light green, single strand).

As shown in the picture, color it with a colored pencil (yellow-green). For a more realistic finish, color the flesh lightly and the areas closer to the peel more darkly.

Here are life-size patterns for whipped cream and melon!

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How to mark felt

Thick felt with a fuzzy surface is a difficult material to mark. Using soft leads like chalk will result in blurry marks, making it hard to see where to cut. Conversely, using hard leads like those of a mechanical pencil will cause the felt's surface to fray. Therefore, here are three recommended methods for marking felt. Making clean, clear marks is the first step to creating beautiful work.

◇Using tracing paper

This method produces a clear image, so it's highly recommended. (However, it's not suitable for dark-colored felt.)

Place the tracing paper, onto which you have traced the design in dark pencil strokes, face down onto the felt and temporarily secure it with tape.

To prevent the tracing paper from tearing, rub the design area with your fingernail.

With the tape still attached, check if the image is transferred. If it is, remove the tape and the transfer is complete.

Cut along the line, and use this side as the back.

◇Using a ballpoint pen

If you're writing directly on felt, a ballpoint pen is recommended. It won't fray the surface and allows you to draw smooth lines.

Cut out the pattern and place it on the felt.

Hold it in place so it doesn't move, and mark it with a ballpoint pen.

I was able to draw clear lines.

Since you've marked slightly outside the pattern, cut slightly inside the line.

◇ Using piecing paper

Piecing paper is a thin paper that allows you to transfer designs onto fabric and temporarily attach them with an iron. It's a convenient method that can even be used on dark-colored felt. The marks don't leave any residue on the felt, resulting in a clean finish.

Place the piecing paper with the design traced onto it onto the felt. (Make sure the adhesive side is facing the felt.)

Iron it to bond the pieces together. (Use a temperature suitable for felt.)

The piecing paper has been glued in place.

Cut it as is, then peel off the piecing paper.

How to cut felt

Felt, being thicker than regular fabric, has more noticeable cut edges. The key to a beautiful finish is to create clean cuts. Clean cuts will significantly improve the overall look of your project.

Use sharp, maneuverable scissors, and cut by moving the felt rather than moving the scissors.

Always be mindful of cutting so that the cross-section is at a right angle.

To create clean corners, cut one side at a time. Where there are valleys, cut precisely all the way to the top.

If you pull too hard, the felt fibers will come out.

Taking advantage of the unique properties of felt

Felt is an easily accessible and user-friendly material. Plus, even small scraps can be used to create cute sweets motifs like the ones shown here. Please try using it as a crafting material!

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