A Welcome, a Little Wolf, and a Word on Wool Felt

A big hello and how-do-you-do to all of you who have popped in here in the last few days via Sew, Mama, Sew and Whip Up. I've been giddy on all the lovely things you've said and am just so pleased by the prospect of getting to know you. I am always, by the way, open to questions--about the tutorials, about applique, or anything, really--and I answer them in the comments, but if you need to contact me directly, my email is over on the side of this here blog-space.

This project design is definitely a work in progress, but I thought I'd share the little wolf. ("Bon hiver" means "good winter" in french.) Essentially, I want to make some critter-type Christmas ornaments in the vein of my hanging houses. The outer shape is really the tough part. I don't think I want the plush itself to be square--I'd rather it mimic the shape of the critter, but alas that's proving harder than it seems. (Any ideas?)
Finally, I've had a lot of questions recently about where to get the wool felt I use in my projects. I've ordered from several places and made a pretty systematic survey of what's available. The best quality 100% wool felt, by far, comes from Magic Cabin. It's also the most expensive, but its rich, lustrous look and feel make it worth the money for special projects, and it comes in scads of gorgeous colors. A less-expensive alternative for sewing softies/plush--anything that's going to be stuffed or will have to hold up to wear and tear (like purses or pouches, etc.) comes from Wool Felt Central. This is a wool-and-acrylic blend, and it's truly wooly--a sturdy, thick felt that's not rough or scratchy. Finally, for applique, the wool-blend felt I use (usually in combination with 100% wool felt) is a thinner, silker felt from Feltorama. Good stuff.

Now you have no excuse, folks--go on. Make some feltstuffs.