![\"\"](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Cut-felt-how-to-tips.jpg\")
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I love using felt for my softies and doll sewing patterns. These days it comes in so many groovy colours it’s hard to pick! The best thing about felt is that it doesn’t fray when cutting out so felt is so easy to work with! BUT for\u00a0great looking toys you want to make sure the pattern templates don’t slip while you’re cutting out your felt\u00a0 pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n When you are cutting out very small, fiddly pieces,\u00a0<\/strong>PINNING felt pieces is NOT as accurate as you’d think<\/strong>. This is because the pattern templates move or slip as you cut and you can end up with some very wonky shapes!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I no longer use pins myself, so I have put together this photo tutorial to show you 5 different techniques that I use to cut out Felt EASILY and ACCURATELY!\u00a0First up is the K.I.S.S technique!<\/span><\/p>\n I love that saying!!! \ud83d\ude42<\/strong> AND it’s true – most of the time the simplest techniques work just fine. So don’t think you have to use anything fancy or expensive to get great results when you cut out felt pieces!\u00a0All you need – some sharp scissors and a steady hand!!! I use this technique for cutting out SIMPLE SHAPES<\/strong> that are an easy size to hold in place on the felt without slipping – so not too big and not too small.<\/span><\/p>\n You’ll be surprised how accurate you can get with a bit of practice!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are lots of types of pens that will mark on felt. From right to left – fabric markers, black permanent markers (and laundry markers) ball point pen, EVEN pencil!<\/span><\/p>\n I like to use fabric markers<\/strong>. My favourite fabric markers are a purple disappearing fabric marker<\/strong> or a blue water-erasable fabric marker<\/strong>.\u00a0 Usually I decide which pen to use, based on which colour will show up best on the felt… or whichever pen I can find at the time!<\/span><\/p>\n (For darker felt, use a white fabric \/ paint marker.)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n * please support your local patchwork\/quilting shop by buying one of these fabric markers from them if you can!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I use this method for VERY FIDDLY SHAPES<\/strong>, like Sammy Shark<\/strong><\/a><\/span>‘s teeth, or VERY SMALL SHAPES <\/strong>of felt. The tape stops the template from slipping so you can be very accurate with your cutting!<\/span><\/p>\n The great thing about this technique is that you can tape the pattern piece again and again because you are only cutting through the new tape. Perfect pieces again and again! The other thing that is good about this technique is that you do not end up with marker pen ink on your pieces, which is great for lighter coloured felt. Great for black felt too – where it’s impossible to see any traced lines!:D<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is probably the technique that I recommend the LEAST<\/strong>! Why???<\/span><\/p>\n Well… I like things that are simple! \ud83d\ude42 <\/span><\/p>\n Freezer paper can also be expensive<\/strong>, hard to find<\/strong> and a bit more of a pain to use<\/strong> as you have to use an iron. I avoid housework if I possibly can –\u00a0 so ironing, in my mind at least, is extra work,<\/strong> especially when I find the tape method so quick and easy!\u00a0 BUT having said that, it IS a very accurate way of cutting out felt and some people swear by it. I would recommend using this technique for very fiddly pattern pieces that are highly likely to slip as you cut out.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n * One good thing – is that at least the Freezer paper is reusable so it’s great if you will be cutting out lots of the same piece!<\/span> I love this technique!<\/strong> \ud83d\ude42 So simple, quick and guaranteed to give perfect results every time! You don’t need to do any cutting either<\/strong>…. simply BUY the shapes pre-cut<\/strong> like these felt dots! So as far as cutting goes – it is cheating – BUT hey, the shapes look fantastic! haha!\ud83e\udd23<\/span><\/p>\n I found these pre-cut felt dots <\/strong>on Etsy…. So far I have only found acrylic\/craft felt pre-cut pieces and there are so many ways to use them!\u00a0They work well for eyes – look how they really highlight<\/strong> Diggles the Dragon<\/strong><\/a><\/span>‘s eyes! The craft eyes hold them in place – no glue needed!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n You can also sew the felt spots in place so they are secure<\/strong>. I use a dot of craft glue in the middle of each felt dot\/spot to hold them in position. Then once the glue has dried, I hand sew over the felt with embroidery thread. (If the toy is for a young child or baby, sewing over the pieces with a satin stitch gives a lovely raised eye that won’t pill.)<\/span><\/p>\n Felt dots look great for dolls faces<\/strong> too! I used them for the cheeks<\/strong> for my Christmas Elf Doll Sewing Pattern<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>. Red for the boy elf and lighter pink for the elf girl doll’s cheeks!<\/span><\/p>\n Well,<\/span><\/p>\n there you have it!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"cutting](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/cutting-out-felt-how-to-photo-tutorial.jpg\" "\\"cutting-out-felt-how-to-photo-tutorial\\"")
<\/p>\nBUT it’s HARD to cut small felt pieces ACCURATELY!<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"felt](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/felt-how-to-pins.jpg\" "\\"felt-how-to-pins\\"")
<\/p>\nHow to cut Felt EASILY & ACCURATELY –\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>5 different techniques!<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. ‘Keep It Simple Stupid’ Technique!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"cutting](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/cutting-out-felt-technique-simple.jpg\" "\\"cutting-out-felt-technique-simple\\"")
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2. Trace & Cut Technique.<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"fabric](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/fabric-marker-pens.jpg\" "\\"fabric-marker-pens\\"")
<\/p>\n![\"felt-how-to-cut-out\"](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/felt-how-to-cut-out.jpg\" "\\"felt-how-to-cut-out\\"")
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3. Tape it down Technique!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"felt](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/felt-cut-out-how-to-tape.jpg\" "\\"felt-cut-out-how-to-tape\\"")
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4. ‘Fancy’ Freezer Paper Felt Technique<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"freezer](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/freezer-paper-cut-out-felt.jpg\" "\\"freezer-paper-cut-out-felt\\"")
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<\/p>\n5. Last but not least, the ‘Cheating’ or NO CUT technique!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Felt](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Felt-spots-etsy.jpg\" "\\"Felt-spots-etsy\\"")
<\/p>\n![\"felt](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/felt-spots-for-toy-eyes.jpg\" "\\"felt-spots-for-toy-eyes\\"")
<\/p>\n![\"felt](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/felt-dots.jpg\" "\\"felt-dots\\"")
<\/p>\n![\"Doll](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/4.-Doll-face-sew-felt-cheeks.jpg\" "\\"Doll-face-sew-felt-cheeks\\"")
<\/p>\n5 Felt Cutting Techniques to try!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Pauline](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/Teddy-bear-rings.png\" "\\"Teddy-bear-rings\\"")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/White-Spacer.jpg\" "\\"White-Spacer\\""){kind=spacer}
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