#10 Baby Platypus Feltorial

Welcome to the tenth project of the Sleeping Aussie Baby Series.

Thanks for your interest in needle felting.

I'm going to show you how to create this lovely Platypus out of wool.

The Platypus is the tenth Feltorial in a series of twelve. It is a Level 3, advanced course. Each Sleeping Aussie Baby teaches you more techniques of this wonderful art form.

After completing this Feltorial you will know:

• How to create a full body armature.
• To use different types of wire and different gauges.
• How to create webbed feet with claws.
• Make a bill out of wool.
• Use glue to create a leathery feel and appearance.
• How to work with and handle silk Tussah.
• Why to use tape around your armature.
• Use new tools for creating digits.
• Work with Hamanaka core.
• How to use Artists Sealer Spray.
• To create nostrils with fire!

To make this Platypus you will need:

• Dark and Light Romney core, each about 3-4 gms.
• Dark Brown Corriedale, 5 gms.
• Dark Chocolate and Grey Brown Merino, each about 1 gm.
• Clay Silk and Pale Silk Tussah, each about 1-2 gms.
• Black Silk Tussah, less than 1 gm.
• Brown Hamanaka Core, 6 x 5cm square, 1 gm.
• Raw Bronze Corriedale, about 2-3 gms.
• Raw Gold Corriedale, 1 gm.
• 1 x 46cm length of florist stem cloth wire 18 gauge.
• 1 x 46cm length of florist stem cloth wire 22 gauge, cut in half.
• 1 x 104cm length of silver florist wire, 26 gauge, cut into four.

Tools needed:

• Size 36 and 40 needles.
• Felting foam (any foam will do, like a car sponge).
• Hot water bottle.
• Liquid soap.
• Cup with hot water.
• Iron.
• Pointy tipped scissors.
• Curved nail scissors.
• Pliers (curved and cutting).
• Gaffer Tape.
• White and Craft glue.
• Toothpick.
• Clover felting brush.
• Red and brown oil pastels.
• Pink and brown permanent markers.
• Digit tool (re-purposed flossing tool, a new one of course)
• Artists Sealer Spray Matt.
• Small paint brush.
• Tea light candle and matches.
• Broken needle with handle.