Sheila Smith's latest book covers the new dry-felting techniques using hand-held needles and the hugely popular new embellisher machines. These mess-free techniques open up a range of felt ideas for textile artists. The book includes the use of commercial ready-made needle-punch felt for fashion and design work. And of course, it provides a range of decorative stitching and dyeing methods that can be used to embellish the felt. Colourfully illustrated with inspirational textiles, plus clear step-by-step instructions, the book covers:

• Laying the Foundations: Use a variety of fibres and fabrics to create exciting cloths that are both beautiful and versatile. These can be layered further - experiment with Bondaweb, Pelmet Vilene and Lutradur - or developed into bags, book covers and other stunning items.
• Building Texture: Use fast and simple techniques to create impressive effects with the needle punch, from incorporating tucks, folds and tubes to three-dimensional bowls and vessels.
• Colour and Dyeing: Step-by-step instructions on rapid and space dyeing make it easy to create and assemble beautiful colours to use in your own work.
• An overview of all the equipment and materials needed, plus an appendix explaining traditional wet-felting techniques