Mouse

After watching the Sarafina video on how to make tiny toes, I thought I'd give it a go. The green wire is 22 gauge and the white is paper wrapped and is 26 gauge.

You can find out more info on my blog post here about how they were wrapped.

From toy stuffing, I made a head and a body.

Then I added the arms and legs and wrapped core wool around the joins.

Added ears and a tail and gave him a bit more of a belly.

Next I made some templates to make some clothes for him using my new Merino wool from Pat.

I put three layers of wool on each side and proceeded to wet felt them.

Once I was happy with them I cut out the resists, re-felted the cut edges, put them on the mouse and left him in the airing cupboard to dry over night.

I added some buttons and needled felted a dark blue trim to his hat and collar. I rolled up his sleeves so you can still see his little hands.

His eyes are brads and I used Merino wool for his nose and mouth features with a bit of flesh coloured batt on his nose.

And this is how he looks from the back.

He is now complete with his accessories. My mum kindly knitted him a little bag and matching scarf which are both detachable.

Doesn't he look dapper. He is wearing them with pride. He is now off to his new home.

Experimenting Tiny Toes

So I decided to have a go at the tiny toes using wire and following the Sarafina tutorial. I initially tried with wire that had been covered in florist tape, but the tape just fell off, so instead I ordered some paper covered wire stems from Ebay. These were much easier to use and the paper didn't tear at all. The hands/feet measure approx 10 - 15mm, so are quite tiny.

Next I wrapped them. The two on the left with five digits were wrapped in flesh coloured Perendale batt wool (World of Wool). I have done nothing to them apart from a bit of needling once they were wrapped. The two on the right with four digits were wrapped in apricot coloured NZ carded batt (The Felt Box). The very ends of the digits were dipped in melted candle wax BEFORE they were wrapped and the one to the left of the pair, the ends of the digits were dipped again after being wrapped. The one to the right of the pair, so far right of the photo, was also dipped in the candle wax BEFORE the wool was wrapped and then I applied a very thin layer of transparent fabric stiffener on the ends of the digits. The fabric stiffener dries rock hard.

They all seem to be holding up fairly well at the moment and personally for the time being, I don't really have any preference.