The Ultimate Supplies Checklist Felt Crafting (Everything I Wish I’d Known When I Started)
Ever bought felt online, opened the package, and wondered why your cute little bear looks more like a stiff cardboard cutout? Or maybe you grabbed the wrong stuffing and now your plushie feels like it’s filled with rocks? Yeah, been there. Done that. Got the sad-looking reindeer to prove it 😑.
Hi everyone, my name is Alyona, and I’ve been in the sewing and crafting world for as long as I can remember. But I properly fell in love with felt when I came to the United Kingdom. You know how it is – you’re scrolling Pinterest, see all these adorable little creatures, and think “I NEED to make that.” That was me. Completely hooked.
Here’s the thing though – I wish I’d had an article like this back when I started. Would’ve saved me so much money, so much frustration, and honestly? So many wonky toys sitting in a drawer that I can’t hedgehog to look at (pun intended 🦔). I even wrote an article about my first felt toy disaster because I used the wrong type of felt and, well… let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.
So I decided to spare you all that pain. This is your no-nonsense, tried-and-tested guide to buying the right supplies for felt plushies, ornaments, and all those cute little projects. Everything on this list? I use it. Regularly. No guessing, no “maybe this will work” – just the stuff that actually delivers.
Ready? Let’s get started.
Felt Fabric – The Foundation (Get This Wrong and You’re Doomed)
Alright, first things first. There are TWO types of felt in the crafting world: hard felt and soft felt. And if you pick the wrong one, your project is basically ruined before you even start. Trust me on this – I learned the hard way, and my first toy looked absolutely terrible because I used hard felt when I should’ve used soft.
For felt plushies and toys, you need soft felt. End of story. Hard felt is stiff and rigid, which makes your toys look weird and feel uncomfortable. Soft felt, on the other hand, is flexible, cuddly, and perfect for creating those squishy little creatures we all love.
Soft Felt (Your New Best Friend)
I absolutely love buying soft felt in patches. Here’s why: you get multiple colours in one pack, the pieces aren’t massive (which is perfect because felt toys are usually quite small anyway), and you can create loads of different variations without buying separate sheets for every single colour.
My favourite? Pastel soft felt sheets. These create such a calm, beautiful atmosphere, especially if you’re making cot mobiles for a nursery. The soft tones just look gorgeous hanging above a baby’s crib – peaceful and sweet, not garish and overwhelming.
I also buy skin tone felt packs quite often because I love making dolls, and obviously, you need to match skin colours. These brownish tone sets work perfectly for that.
Hard Felt (Yes, You Still Need Some)
Now, before you think I’ve completely ditched hard felt – I haven’t. I still buy hard (stiff) felt sheets in small packs with multiple colours. But here’s the key: I only use hard felt for specific hard objects on my plushies.
For example:
- Reindeer horns – hard felt keeps them stable and rigid instead of floppy
- Dino spikes – same reason, they need to stand up properly
- Any element that needs structure – hard felt gives that firmness
These small multi-colour packs are perfect because you’re not stuck with massive sheets you’ll never use up.
Glitter Felt (For That Festive Sparkle ✨)
Sometimes you want to add a bit of festive mood to your ornaments, especially if you’re making Christmas tree decorations. That’s where glitter felt comes in. It’s basically felt completely covered in glitter on top, and when you add little hearts to bears or stars to other ornaments, it gives such a gorgeous festive touch. Plus, when your Christmas tree lights are shining, the glitter felt catches the light beautifully. Proper magical 🎄.
Holographic Mirrored Leather (The Secret Weapon)
Okay, this one sounds fancy, but hear me out. Holographic faux mirrored leather is amazing for adding small decorative elements to your felt toys. I use it loads for Christmas decorations and cot mobiles.
You can’t really make a whole toy out of it, but it’s brilliant for small touches – little stars, tiny hearts, decorative accents. It comes in different colours like pink, purple, silver, and gold. I’ve used the silver and gold ones to create stars for cot mobiles, and they add such a nice shimmery touch without being over the top.
Threads – Because Your Toys Need to Stay Together 🧵
I’ve tried loads of different threads over the years, and honestly? Some are way easier to work with than others. The biggest problem with cheap, unbranded threads is that they twist while you’re sewing – especially if you’re working on a bigger ornament and need to use a long thread. And let me tell you, when you’re halfway through a project and your thread starts twisting into knots, it’s absolutely maddening.
Gutermann Threads (The Gold Standard)
My absolute favourite is Gutermann polyester thread. The magic of these threads? They don’t twist. I don’t know how they do it, but even with a super long thread on a big project, Gutermann stays smooth and behaves itself. If you’re working on larger toys or dolls, this thread will save your sanity.
Budget-Friendly Alternative
Now, I completely understand that Gutermann can be quite pricey. So here’s my alternative: polyester sewing thread in multi-packs. What I love about these is that you can buy batches in specific colour tones – like brownish sets, pastel sets, etc. – which match perfectly with the felt colour packs I mentioned earlier.
I kind of divide my thread use based on project size. If I’m sewing something really big, I’ll use Gutermann. But for smaller elements like tails, ears, or legs, I’ll use these multi-pack threads. And honestly, getting a whole set for one price means you’ve got every colour you could possibly need right there. No more “oh no, I need green and I’ve run out” at 10pm on a Sunday night 😂.
Stuffing – The Fluffy Stuff That Brings Your Toys to Life
Once you’ve sewn your toy, you need to stuff it. And the stuffing you choose makes a massive difference to how your finished toy feels.
I’m the kind of person who, once I find something I like, I stick with it. I don’t really like surprises (especially not the “why does this stuffing feel lumpy?” kind of surprise). So I’ve been using the same brand of toy stuffing for ages, and I’m quite happy with the results. It’s soft, it fills evenly, and my toys come out lovely and squishy.
Facial Features – Giving Your Toys Character and Personality
This is where your toys go from “cute blob of felt” to “OH MY GOD I LOVE IT” territory. The eyes, nose, and decorative elements you choose completely transform your creations.
Half Black Pearls (For Eyes)
I use black half round pearl beads for eyes most of the time. My go-to size is 8mm, but I also buy smaller sizes because some creations are tinier and need proportionally smaller eyes. What I love about buying them in mixed-size sets is that you’re covered for any project – no need to order six different packs of different sizes separately.
Multi-Colour Half Beads (For Decoration)
These mix half beads in multiple colours and sizes are my secret weapon for adding personality. I use them loads when I’m making sea creatures – I did an octopus once and decorated it with these colourful half beads, and honestly, it took the toy to a completely different level. So much character!
I also made a crab (I called him Captain Crab 🦀) and decorated his shell with a few of these beads. It was such a fun project, and those little pops of colour made all the difference.
Realistic Toy Eyes (For That “Come to Life” Look)
If you want your toys to look like they’ve got their own little personalities, realistic flat eyes are the way to go. They give your creations such a cute, lifelike expression – like they’re about to start talking to you any second.
These eyes come in different prints (dragon style, round, etc.) and loads of different sizes. My favourite size for most projects is12-16mm, but it really depends on your toy’s size. Try different options and see what works best for your style.
Seed Beads – The Tiny Details That Make People Say “Wow”
I use seed beads quite often, especially when I’m making donut pincushions. Oh yes, you read that right – donut pincushions! I use many of my felt toys as pincushions for my sewing projects at home. Depending on my mood and what I’m sewing, I’ll grab a different one.
If I’m sewing something with a sea-themed print, I’ll use my turtle or little shark pincushion to hold my needles. If I’m working on something cutesy and pastel (like I often do with underwear projects), I’ll use my donut pincushions. And seed beads are what make those donuts look like they’re covered in sprinkles – absolutely adorable 🍩.
Fishing Line (For Attaching Seed Beads)
When attaching seed beads, I use both regular thread and fishing line (0.5mm). But here’s a pro tip: when I’m working with that holographic mirrored leather I mentioned earlier, I always use fishing line. Why? Because it’s way more transparent and invisible compared to thread. You get that clean, professional look where the beads seem to float on the surface. Much better than visible thread lines ruining the effect.
Pendants – Adding Personality to Your Toys’ Hands (or Paws)
One of my favourite things to do is add little pendants to my toys’ hands or paws. It gives each creation its own personality and story. For example, if I’m making a cat toy, I might add a tiny fish pendant hanging like a necklace or held in its mouth. Little details like that make people smile.
What I usually do is buy mixed packs of pendants or colourful charm mix packs where loads of different pendants are mixed together. This way, I get maximum variety without needing a massive stash at home or spending crazy money.
Here’s the thing – if you buy specific pendant styles, they usually come in packs of 10 or 50 pieces. That’s great if you’re making 50 identical toys, but most of us aren’t doing that. We want options. Mixed packs give you one or two of each style, which is perfect for keeping your imagination flowing and your projects unique.
Tools – The Essential Kit
Right, let’s talk about the actual tools you need to get these projects done.
Simple Pen (For Outlining)
I outline all my patterns on felt using a simple pen – literally the kind kids use at school. I usually use black because, in my opinion, it’s less visible than blue once you cut around it. But honestly, use whatever colour works for you 🙈.
Sharp Scissors (Non-Negotiable)
You absolutely need sharp scissors. If your scissors aren’t good quality, the edges of your felt pieces will be all jagged and notched instead of smooth and straight. And when you put your toy together, those rough edges will look messy. I pay loads of attention to the scissors I use when working with felt – it makes such a difference to the finished result.
Needles (Any Simple Needle Will Do)
Honestly, I’m not fussy about needles for felt projects. I use any simple needle set I have at home – the same ones I use for my garment sewing projects.
The only time I reach for bigger needles is when I’m sewing dolls and need to attach large elements where I have to go through the entire doll with the needle. For that, I use longer needles designed for doll-making. But for most felt projects? Standard needles are absolutely fine.
Hot Glue Gun (THE Most Important Tool)
Okay, if there’s one tool you need to invest in properly, it’s your hot glue gun. I’m not even joking – this is crucial.
I’ve tested loads of glue guns over the years, and most of them are rubbish. They leak constantly, even when you’re not pressing the trigger, and you end up wasting tons of glue sticks. It’s so frustrating. I’ve tried big glue guns too, but they’re impossible to work with for small detailed elements.
I finally found this particular glue gun about five years ago (maybe even longer – I think it’s been with me forever 😂), and it’s still working perfectly. No leaking, no wasting glue, just reliable and easy to use. Honestly, a good glue gun will change your crafting life.
Glue Sticks
And obviously, you’ll need hot glue sticks to go with your glue gun. I usually buy them in packs, which lasts me quite a while.
Tweezers (The Secret to Even Stuffing)
This might not sound important, but trust me – tweezers are essential. Before I started using tweezers for stuffing, I was trying to do it with my fingers, and honestly? Nightmare.
With your fingers, you can’t spread the stuffing evenly inside the toy. You end up with lumpy areas and empty areas, and some elements are so tiny you can barely reach inside them at all. Good tweezers solve all of that. You can push stuffing exactly where you need it and get a nice, even finish.
Fun fact: these are basically the same tweezers you’d use for plucking eyebrows. Multi-purpose tools for the win 😂.
Pins (More Important Than You’d Think)
You might be wondering why you need sewing pins for felt projects – it’s not like traditional sewing, right? But here’s my method:
When I outline and cut out the first element (let’s say a head, body, and two hands), I then place that cut piece onto another layer of felt and pin it down. Then I cut around the pinned piece without having to trace it again. This way, both pieces are identical – same size, same shape – which makes sewing them together so much easier and neater.
Pins also hold the two layers of felt together while you’re cutting, so everything stays perfectly aligned. Simple, but effective.
Christmas Decoration Supplies (If You’re Making Ornaments)
If you’re planning to make felt ornaments for your Christmas tree, you’ll need a few extra bits.
Silver or Gold Twine
I use silver twine for hanging ornaments on the tree. This particular twine has worked brilliantly for me, and one roll lasts absolutely ages – there are so many metres inside, and you only need about 20cm per ornament. I bought one roll years ago and I’m still using it now.
Ribbons (For Hanging and Decoration)
Sometimes, instead of twine, I use ribbons to hang ornaments. And honestly, ribbons add such a lovely decorative touch. Here are the widths I use most:
This 15mm ribbon – is beautiful and delicate. Atlas ribbons have an incredible colour range, so you can match them to any felt project.
10mm Ribbon: I use 10mm luxurious pastel ribbon quite often. It’s a lovely width for hanging ornaments and adding bows.
6mm Multicolour Ribbons: These multicolour satin ribbons in 6mm are perfect for variety packs.
Organza Ribbon: This 10mm organza ribbon is shiny, transparent, and looks so Christmassy. I love using it for festive decorations.
And here’s the thing – I don’t just use ribbons for hanging ornaments. Sometimes I add little bows to my creations too. If it’s a girl toy, putting a tiny bow on top of her head adds such a special character and charm. I’m slightly obsessed with ribbon bows, not going to lie 🎀.
Wooden Decorations – The Cutest Little Add-Ons
If you want to add extra character to your toys, wooden ladybugs and bees are absolutely adorable. They’re basically tiny wooden shapes painted to look like ladybugs or bees, and they have a little sticker on the bottom.
Honestly, I remove the sticker and use my glue gun to attach them instead – way more secure. These little decorations make your creations feel so special and unique. They usually come in packs with a 50/50 mix of bees and ladybugs, which is perfect.
Tulle Rolls – For Cot Mobiles
If you’re making cot mobiles for nurseries, I highly recommend getting some Tulle Roll Organza Fabric (usually 5-6cm width). It’s perfect for mixing with pom poms and creating a light, harmonious look.
Sometimes, when you hang too many felt toys on a mobile, it can look cluttered and heavy. Adding pompoms between the toys gives the whole thing room to breathe – it looks more balanced and beautiful instead of overwhelming.
Plus, mesh comes in loads of different colours, so you can match it to your nursery theme. And speaking of pom poms, we’ve got a really interesting tutorial on YouTube showing how to make the fluffiest pom poms in the easiest way possible. Seriously, it’s a game changer 🎥.
Chenille Wire – For Decorative Details
I love using chenille wire to add decorative touches to my ornaments. You can bend it into shapes and use it for things like:
- Reindeer horns (gives them structure and a bit of sparkle)
- Snail antennas (perfect for little garden creature toys)
- Any other decorative element that needs a bit of dimension
Chenille wire is easy to work with, comes in different colours, and adds a nice tactile, textured element to your toys.
Ready to Start Crafting?
Honestly, I wish someone had given me this list when I first fell in love with felt crafting. Would’ve saved me so much time, money, and heartbreak over wonky toys that didn’t turn out how I imagined 😂.
But now you’ve got this complete checklist, and you can skip all the expensive mistakes I made. You know exactly what to buy, which brands work, and why each supply matters.
If you’re brand new to felt crafting and want to try your first project without spending a penny on patterns, grab my free beginner craft pattern – it’s perfect for getting started and comes with full instructions. And if you love video tutorials (because let’s be honest, sometimes it’s way easier to watch someone do it), I share loads of crafting tips and behind-the-scenes content over on my YouTube channel.
Now go get yourself sorted with proper supplies, and make something absolutely adorable. You’ve got this 💪.
Read next: The Best Stitch Types for Decorative Felt Designs
