10 tips to help you enjoy (and finish) a tutorial

You’re ready to start a tutorial. Yay! Here’s some advice to help you have fun and complete a piece you’ll be happy with.

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Read or watch the tutorial before you start felting. If it’s long, watch a section, felt, repeat. Having an idea of what’s ahead will give you confidence and it’s a chance to jot down measurements or things you need to remember.
Print reference images in the actual size of your finished piece. Then, use the printout to check your proportions by holding your piece up to it as you work.
Practice new techniques on a scrap, or an area you can cover up, if you make a mistake.
Use short stem ball head pins to figure out the position of eyes, a nose, or ears before you commit.
Try using an air erasable marker to draw out stripes, spots, or areas of color. Test it first if your wool is white or a pale color.
If your piece feels off, look at it in a mirror. It’s surprising how easy it is to spot a mistake when you see your piece reversed.
Don’t be afraid to cut your wool. Trim fuzzies or amputate a leg if it isn’t working. Wool is forgiving. But there are some things that a good pair of scissors fixes faster.
If you finish an area and don’t want to disturb it, wrap it in saran or plastic wrap. It will allow you to lightly handle that area without messing up the surface. Don’t be afraid to protect your work.
Make changes if you want to. A tutorial might call for felted eyes. Maybe you prefer glass eyes? Go ahead and switch to glass. But do try making the felted eyes at least once just to learn how.
Add your own style or a twist to the piece. You don’t have to reproduce exactly what the teacher made (unless you want to). If you think the piece needs a pop of bright color or some sparkle, go for it!