It's fun no matter what age you are.You can move on to more complex shapes once you learn the process of felting.Felt sheets are the most basic, but felt balls can be fun to make. When you are done, you can turn your handmade felt into pretty patches or beaded garlands.
Step 1: Pull apart some wool with your fingers.
Don't cut the wool into tufts.This will make it hard to feel.It is important to get pure wool and not acrylic.Merino wool has fine fibers.The wool doesn't have to be colored.Get some dyed wool.
Step 2: The tufts should be laid out on the baking sheet.
Make sure the fibers are moving in the same direction.You don't have to cover the entire baking sheet; an 8 by 8 inch square will suffice.
Step 3: In the second layer, lay out more tufts and the fibers will follow the last one.
Make all the tufts go side-to-side in the first layer if they were going up-and-down.You can use a different color of wool for this layer.You might get a muddy result if you use a color that doesn't complement the first one.
Step 4: If you want a thicker felt sheet, repeat the first two layers.
You should alternate the direction in which the fibers are going.Two layers is fine for a thin piece of felt, but if you want something thicker, aim for three or four layers total.Add some pieces of loose-weave fabric or bits of Merino yarn to give it a different look.
Step 5: The layers should be covered with a piece of fabric.
During the felting process, this will help keep the fibers in place.To cover the entire wool sheet, the fabric needs to be big.
Step 6: Put the felting solution into a spray bottle.
To refill the bottle, keep the rest of the felting solution handy.You will need a quart of hot water and a quarter of dish soap.You will create too many suds if you shake the bottle.The faster the wool feels, the hotter the water is.The water shouldn't be so hot that it's hard to work with.
Step 7: Rub the wool with a piece of bubble wrap.
Don't put the water on the wool.The fibers will move around a lot.You can spray it down with your hot, soapy water.Rub bubble wrap on a piece of bar soap, then gently massage the felt using small, circular motions.If you accidentally soaked the wool, use a small sponge to clean the mess.
Step 8: Continue pressing on the wool.
As the water cools, spray it with hot, soapy water.As you work, be sure to tuck in any loose or stray fibers.The edges of your sheet will be a little better.
Step 9: Transfer the wool to a sheet of bubble wrap and peel off the fabric.
If you do a pinch test, you can tell if the wool is ready.There is a piece of wool between your thumb and forefinger.You can move on if it stays in place and doesn't come off.Continue pressing the wool if it lifts away.The bubble wrap has to be side up.
Step 10: Wrap the bubble wrap tightly.
Start by folding an inch of bubble wrap over the felted wool to create a seam.Roll the wool up as tightly as you can, starting from the bottom.Roll the wool to get rid of any excess water.
Step 11: The bubble wrap tube should be rolled across the flat surface for about five minutes.
Roll it slowly with increasing pressure.Don't over-work your wool.
Step 12: After rinsing the sheet, squeeze it to get rid of the excess water.
The cold water rinse will help set the fibers.To squeeze out the excess water, press down on the felt sheet.Don't wring or twist it.It is possible to add a splash of white vinegar to the water.This will remove soap from the wool and help it last longer.
Step 13: The wool should be laid out flat to dry.
During the felting process, the wool will shrink.While it dries, it may shrink a little more.This is not artificial.
Step 14: You can use felted wool.
You can make patches by cutting it into squares and sewing it onto a bag.You can make coasters by cutting it into circles.The possibilities are endless.
Step 15: Pull the wool apart.
Don't cut the tufts.You will get sharper edges if you cut them.Natural, uncolored wool can be used.You can get a bead about the size of a cherry from a 4 to 5-inch long tuft.
Step 16: Add liquid dish soap to the hot water in the tub.
The amount of soap you need for each cup of water is 700.The water should be used to mix, but not so much as to create suds.The faster the wool feels, the hotter the water is.The water should not be so hot that you can't handle it.
Step 17: Roll your tufts between your palms.
Don't worry about forming a ball.You can use a variety of colors for a felt ball.
Step 18: Put the ball in the soapy water.
You can dip the ball into the water by holding it between your fingers.Don't worry if the ball starts to lose its shape.In the next step, you will change it.
Step 19: Roll the ball between your hands.
When the ball is loose, it will begin to become more firm.It will take about 10 minutes.Don't squeeze it too much.The water may cool down if you are making multiple beads.The tub should be replaced with more hot, soapy water.
Step 20: The wool should be washed off with cold water.
The soap will be removed and the fibers set.If you want, you can put it in the water with a splash of white vinegar.This will help lighten the wool's color by removing the rest of the soap.
Step 21: To remove excess water, gently press the ball in a towel.
You may distort the ball if you squeeze too hard.
Step 22: Allow the felt ball to dry.
It will take about 24 hours.It doesn't mean that the ball is dry on the inside.
Step 23: Consider threading the balls onto twine.
Use a darning needle to poke a hole through each ball.Needle nose pliers can be used to pull the needle through the felt balls.The garland should be hung wherever you like.