Needlefelted Chick

By: Rebekah Meier for STYROFOAM Brand Foam

Soft wool, whimsical wire, and perky details make this little cheeper a keeper! Needlefelting on foam is easy to master and just perfect for cuddly characters.

Needlefelted Chick Easter Decoration

Materials:

STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam:
- Ball, 1"
- Egg, 3"
Lavender wool felt, 9" x 12" sheet
Light yellow wool fiber (roving)
Black acrylic paint
Orange card stock scrap
Grosgrain ribbon, 1/4" x 1/2 yd.
Green floral wire, 22 gauge
Cosmetic blush
Cotton-tipped swab
Serrated knife
Candle stub or paraffin
Pencil
Ruler
Compass
Wooden toothpicks
Scissors
Needlefelting tool
Wire cutters
Ball-head straight pins, two
Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
Thick, white craft glue

Instructions:

Position foam ball on top of foam egg at slight angle, as shown in photo. Use toothpicks and glue to secure head to body.
Place small amount of wool fiber against chick and attach to surface using felting needle; follow manufacturer instructions to ensure safety. Continue felting fiber to foam until completely covered. Loosely felt additional fiber to body for fluffy wings and tail.
Bend floral wire into webbed foot shape as shown in photo, continuing shape up into twisted-wire legs; trim excess. Repeat for second leg. Insert legs into bottom of chick, making sure chick can stand. Glue legs into foam to secure.
Dip ball-head pins into black paint and let dry. Insert into head for eyes. Cut diamond shape from card stock; fold in half and glue to face for beak.
Cut 1" x 6" strip from lavender felt and roll into tight cylinder. Trace one end onto felt and cut out; glue to top of cylinder. Cut 3/4" circle from felt; glue to bottom of hat for brim. Glue hat to head.
Tie ribbon bow around neck; trim ends. Use cotton swab to blush cheeks.

Note: Felting needles are extremely sharp; use caution. The higher the needle number, the finer the needle and the smaller the hole left in the project. Follow manufacturer's instructions.

®™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow.
For more project ideas, please see styrofoamstyle.com.