Many years ago I discovered the work of Salley Mavor when I was carry books in my shop. Her how-to book “Felt Wee Folk” was released in the early 2000’s, and I immediately ordered dozens of copies of it! Pictured is my original copy.
If you already have a copy of Felt Wee Folk, you’ll know exactly why I fell in love with it. The book is playful, imaginative, and packed with tiny details that make you want to drop everything and start crafting… with felt. The book has since updated, more info below on where to find a copy.
Recently, Salley published a new blog post titled “Why I Love Wool Felt”, and as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to share it with all the felt lovers who stop by here. If you don’t already follow her work, consider this your invitation. Her website, Wee Folk Studio, is a treasure trove of fibre art that’s full of colour, texture, and beautiful hand‑stitched storytelling that will leave your inner embroidery artist inspired!
What Makes Wool Felt So Special?
Salley’s post dives into what makes wool felt such a beloved material among fibre artists. While I won’t quote her full article (link to the original above), she highlights the qualities many of us adore: the durability, the richness of color, the way wool felt holds its shape, and the tactile joy of working with a natural fibre.
If you’ve ever crafted with synthetic felt and then switched to wool, you know the difference immediately. Wool felt behaves beautifully—it cuts cleanly, stitches smoothly, and ages gracefully. It’s one of those materials that rewards patience and creativity, which is exactly why artists like Salley use it to bring their miniature worlds to life.
Her thoughts capture exactly what makes wool felt such a joy to work with. It’s not just about crafting; it’s about connection, texture, and the joy of making something with our hands.
You can find links to Salley’s Etsy shop on her website, or use this link: Etsy shop SalleyMavor
In her Etsy shop you can find a signed copy of Felt Wee Folk- New Adventures, which is the updated version of the book. In the shop there are some other books, plus an amazing selection of cards, posters and even jigsaw puzzles.
As shipping is pricey from the USA to Canada, there is the option of ordering her books (unsigned) via Indigo.ca and other big name website, but I would recommend asking your local bookstore to order in from the publisher. Here is a link to the book publisher page, in case you need it: C&T Publishing
The original version used to be available in French too, and you can still often find copies of that used online.
A gentle caution: If you’ve never explored Salley’s website, prepare to fall down a delightful rabbit hole 🙂
Her work blends embroidery, sculpture, illustration, and storytelling, all stitched together with an unmistakable sense of whimsy. Whether you’re a seasoned embroiderer or someone who simply loves handmade art, her pieces have a way of sparking ideas. Using Salley’s wonderful book Felt Wee Folk will send you on a felt embroidery adventure that may result in many hours of hand stitching joy and imagination.
When the book first released my friends and I made oodles of them for our children or as gifts (goodie bags at birthday parties/etc.) for years. All her books are all pure magic, but I reserve a special place in my heart (and book shelf!) for her how-to book, so I could learn how she makes things and then make my own… though my own version were maybe not quite so incredible TBH…
The small sculpted details and richly stitched scenes feel like a reminder of how magical slow, intentional craft can be. Salley’s reflections on wool felt are a lovely reminder of why so many of us choose this material again and again. It’s more than a craft material — it’s an experience, a tactile kind of creativity that invites you to slow down.
How Wool Felt Elevates Your Crafting (and why artists keep coming back to it):
One of the reasons wool felt has remained a favourite among crafters is its incredible versatility. Whether you’re making tiny dolls, stitching detailed appliqué, or creating layered embroidery scenes, wool felt behaves in a way that synthetic blends simply can’t match. It doesn’t pill, it doesn’t stretch out of shape, and it holds even the smallest cuts and curves with crisp precision.
For anyone inspired by Salley Mavor’s work, this matters. Her art relies on tiny, expressive details—little hands, miniature clothing, delicate leaves, textured backgrounds. Wool felt supports that level of detail beautifully. It’s strong enough to handle repeated stitching, soft enough to sculpt, and vibrant enough to bring a whole scene to life.
If you’re new to working with wool felt, you’ll notice right away how satisfying it is to stitch through. Your needle glides instead of dragging. Your thread sits neatly on the surface. And because wool felt is dense and smooth, your finished pieces look polished and professional even if you’re still learning. Not all wool felt is created equal, and the quality of your felt can completely change your crafting experience. When you’re making small figures or detailed embroidery, you want felt that:
- cuts cleanly without fuzz
- holds its shape or tear when stuffed or layered
- feels soft but sturdy in the hand
Essentially, if you’re making little figures inspired by Felt Wee Folk or working on your own imaginative creations, high‑quality wool felt makes all the difference. With so many colours available at Bear Dance Crafts, you can match skin tones, clothing, foliage, backgrounds, and tiny accessories with ease. Whether you’re recreating a scene from Felt Wee Folk or designing your own characters, having a wide palette inspires so many creative possibilities. So if Salley’s post has you itching to start a new felt project, you can find over 220 colours of pure 100% Merino wool felt here at Bear Dance Crafts.
