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In the autumn of 2017, I visited France and spent some time walking in the Vercors. It was here I got the inspiration for my felt figures.

As is often the way inspiration comes when you least expect it.

These fabric and wire figures were on display in the window in the local boulangerie. They attracted my attention and I thought maybe they would translate to being made from felt. Unfortunately, the boulangerie was not open every day and so I was not able to buy one. I had a lovely chat with the owner about how much I liked them, but as she was shut she would not sell me one.

Once home, I set about trying to make some felt figures, based just on the photos I had taken.

It would have been a lot easier if I had managed to buy one of the figures.

With a little experimental on the balance of the wire lengths between the head and the body, I was happy with my wire figures.  I also experimented with the wire I used because a combination of flexibility and stiffness was required.

My attempts at using my sewing machine to attach the felt dress to the wire were a complete failure, but hand-stitching worked very well.

We have recently built some decking in our garden, so the figure’s bases are made from wood offcuts. I love to reuse materials.

The figures are finished with beads and buttons, to provide, socks and shoes, and bracelets on the arms.  I inherited a large collection of beads from my youngest daughter who used to make jewelry. I also have lots of buttons collected over the years

The dresses are often cut from felt and fabric samples I have made.

I have a lot of fun making these little felt and wire figures over the last 18 months.

So why do I write about my felt figures today?  Well, last week I was contacted by a lady from London, who had bought two figures here in the North East last year wondered if I had any more to sell.

This contact and subsequent sale made me feel so good that I therefore thought it was time to capture the process in my blog.