Felted Feathered Friends: Techniques and Projects for Needle-Felted Birds by Laurie Sharp was published in July 2012 by Creative Publishing International. It is a 264 page hardcover book with 500 color photographs. The book’s retail price is $19.99 US, $21.99 Canadian, and L14.99 UK. It includes 20 needle-felting projects, all of which produce surprisingly life-like felted birds. From the beak to the birds’ legs, it covers everything you need to know to make each project.

I have seen needle-felting demonstrated before but really didn’t know much about it until I read through this book. One aspect that really surprised me was the small number of tools and materials that are required. It is really low-tech. Basically, to get started you just need three items: a felting needle, wool (aka roving), and a foam pad. Along with discussing these few items, the first section of the book covers the techniques, which again aren’t a huge list of techniques you need to know how to do.

Though the techniques section does include color photos of the process, each project also has a lot of photographs as well, and of course, step by step instructions and a list of materials you need (which again are very basic). The projects are organized from beginning level to more advanced level so that a novice can start with the first project and work his/her way through the book to the more difficult projects. Even if you aren’t a bird lover, you will have to admit that many of the birds are very lifelike and some are just totally cute like the peacock and flamingo.

If you have ever wanted to try needle-felting or just wanted a fiber hobby that is low-tech, this book is a good introduction to a fascinating pastime. Plus,  all of the projects are so small you won’t be investing a ton of money or time in making any of them.