Felting
Challenge
- Make a piece of felt using wool roving, water and a sandwich bag.
Extra Credit
- Add an LED circuit to illuminate your creation
Materials:
- Sandwich bag with a "zipper" closure
- Towel
- Bubble Wrap
- Rubber Shelf Liner (optional)
- 2 pieces of cardstock - 5.5" x 8.5" with line drawn at mid-point (4.25")
- Small amount of soapy water
- Clear water, for rinsing
- Rolling pin, for flattening finished piece
- Bits of wool roving (NOT "superwash" - it won't felt)
Watch the whole process.
Now go and create your own designs! You are limited only by your imagination!
Here are some suggestions:
- Use a gallon-size bag and make a larger piece of felt. It will take longer to become felted, so adjust your timing accordingly.
- After your piece is dry, add beads or other embellishments.
- Adhere your creation to the front of a hand-made card or sign and frame it for a one-of-a-kind gift.
- Use it as a coaster. (Felt is naturally water-repellant, but not water-proof, so use caution on some sensitive surfaces).
Learn more about felt-making by visiting your local library and checking out some books on the subject, or search online for "wet felting." You will find many great resources and ideas!
Resources
Many of you asked where you could buy the wool for felting, and I promised to add a page to the website to include some of my favorite sources and resources for more info on felting.
Wool Sources
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
Outback Fibers - Online Ordering
Dharma Trading - Undyed Wool Roving
*If you want to dye the wool with Kool-Aid, click HERE for directions.
Make sure you let the wool cool slowly after it is dyed. If you move the wool or "shock" it with cold water, it may felt, and that would be sad.
Tutorials
A Beginner's Guide to Felting - With Kids
Video Tutorials from LivingFelt
A "Felted Soap" Tutorial - Good Clean Fun!
My Favorite Site for Learning How to Felt and Where to Buy Wool - FeltingLessons.com