How to Make a Piece of Felt ★ A Simple Wet Felting Tutorial for Beginners

Summary

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to create a beautiful piece of felt using merino wool roving from Ashford. The presenter demonstrates essential techniques, starting by splitting the wool for better control and then layering the fibers both vertically and horizontally. With tips on managing water during the felting process, viewers are guided through gentle rolling and tossing methods to interlock the fibers effectively. The tutorial emphasizes a relaxed approach, making felting accessible and enjoyable. By the end, participants can confidently produce their own felt piece, perfect for various craft projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Merino wool roving from Ashford is a great choice for making felt due to its quality and variety.
• ✂️ Split the wool roving in half for better control over the size of your felt piece.
• 📏 Aim for a final felt size of 30cm x 30cm, accounting for a 15cm shrinkage during the felting process.
• 💧 Lightly spray the fibers with water to ensure they are fully saturated, which helps in speeding up the felting process.
• 🧴 Always keep an extra towel handy to soak up excess water during the felting process.
• 🔄 Roll the felt piece gently using a wooden dowel or pool noodle, ensuring your fingers remain open for better fiber movement.
• 🔁 Perform 30 gentle rolls on each side of the felt piece for effective felting.
• ✅ Use the pinch test to check if the fibers have adequately stuck together before tossing or rolling more.
• 🌊 Roll the felt on a towel for additional absorption of water, aiding in the felting process.
• 🎉 After multiple rolls, a good toss can help blend colors and textures for a beautifully finished felt piece.

Q & A

What type of wool is used for the felt-making process?

The felt-making process uses merino wool roving, specifically from Ashford, which offers various colored blends.

Why is it recommended to split the wool in half before starting?

Splitting the wool in half allows for better control over the size of the felt piece being created.

What dimensions does the felt piece start at, and how much does it shrink?

The felt piece starts at 30 centimeters by 30 centimeters and shrinks approximately 15 centimeters from its original size.

How should the fibers be arranged for felting?

The fibers should be laid out vertically for the first layer and then laid out horizontally for the second layer.

What is the purpose of spraying the fibers during the felting process?

Spraying the fibers ensures they are fully saturated, which helps accelerate the felting process.

Why is it advised to keep fingers open while rolling the felt?

Keeping fingers open allows for movement, which helps the fibers shift and intertwine better during the rolling process.

How many rolls should be done on each side of the felt piece?

You should roll the felt piece 30 times on each side initially, then 15 times on each side during the later stages.

What can be done if the felt piece gets stuck while rolling?

If the felt piece gets stuck, gently lift it up, but ensure you roll it lightly to avoid damage.

What is the 'pinch test' mentioned in the tutorial?

The pinch test is a method to check if the fibers have stuck together; if they hold together when pinched, the felting process is working.

How does rolling the felt in a towel help the process?

Rolling the felt in a towel helps absorb excess water and aids in completing the felting process.