How to Make Felt

Felting is fun no matter what your age. Once you learn the process of felting, you can let your imagination be your guide and move on to other, more complex shapes. Felt sheets are the most basic, but felt balls can be just as fun to make.When you are done, you can turn your handmade felt into pretty patches or beaded garlands!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Felt Sheet

Download Article

1
Use your fingers to pull apart some wool into tufts. Do not cut the wool into tufts. This will create sharp edges and make it difficult to felt. Also, be sure to get pure wool and not acrylic; acrylic fibers will not felt. Many crafters will recommend Merino wool for its fine fibers.^{[1]XResearch source}
- The wool does not have to be naturally colored! Consider getting some dyed wool!
Make sure that the fibers are all going in the same direction. You do not have to cover the entire baking sheet; an 8 by 8 inch (20.32 by 20.32 centimeters) square will be plenty.^{[2]XResearch source}
Advertisement
For example, if all the tufts were going up-and-down in the first layer, make all the tufts go side-to-side in this layer. You can also experiment with using a different color of wool for this layer. Be sure to use a color that complements the first one, however, or you might get a muddy result.
4
Repeat the first two layers, if desired, for a thicker felt sheet. Remember to alternate the direction in which the fibers are going with each layer. Two layers is perfectly fine for a thin piece of felt, but if you'd like something thicker, aim for three or four layers total.
- Consider adding some pieces of loose-weave fabric or bits of Merino yarn on top for color and texture.^{[3]XResearch source}
This will help keep the fibers in place during the felting process. The fabric needs to be big enough to cover the entire wool sheet.
6
Make your felting solution and pour it into a spray bottle. Keep the rest of the felting solution handy to refill the bottle as needed. You will need 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 1 quart (950 milliliters) of hot water. Don't shake the bottle, or you will create too many suds.^{[4]XResearch source}
- The hotter the water is, the faster the wool will felt. The water shouldn't be so hot that it is uncomfortable to work with, however.
7
Spray the wool down, then gently massage it with a piece of soapy bubble wrap. Don't be tempted to pour the water onto the wool. This will cause the fibers to move around too much. Instead, spray it down with your hot, soapy water until it is completely saturated (but not dripping). Ball up some bubble wrap, rub it over a piece of bar soap, then gently massage the felt using small, circular motions.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you accidentally soaked the wool, use a small sponge to mop up the excess water.^{[6]XResearch source}
Pour the water off as it cools, and spray more hot, soapy water onto it.^{[7]XResearch source} Be sure to tuck in any loose or stray fibers as you work. This will make the edges of your sheet a little more even.
9
When the wool is ready, transfer it to a sheet of bubble wrap and peel off the tulle or polyester fabric. You can tell if the wool is ready by doing a simple pinch test. Pinch a piece of the wool between your thumb and forefinger. If it stays in place and doesn't come off, you can move on the to the next step. If it lifts away, then continue pressing the wool.
- The bubble wrap needs to be textured side up.
Start by folding an inch (2.54 centimeters) of so of bubble wrap over the bottom edge of the felted wool to create a seam. Next, roll the wool up as tightly as you can along with the bubble wrap, starting from the bottom. Press down as you roll the wool to drain off any excess water.
Roll it gently at first, then with increasing pressure later on. Don't over-felt or over-work your wool.
12
Rinse the sheet with cold water, then squeeze it to drain off the excess water. The cold water rinse will help set the fibers. Gently press down onto the felt sheet to squeeze out the excess water. Do not wring or twist it.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Consider adding a splash of white vinegar to the water.^{[9]XResearch source} This will remove excess soap and restore the natural pH of the wool; it will brighten the wool's colors and help it last longer.
The wool will have shrunk and thickened during the felting process. It may also shrink a little bit more while it dries. This is completely natural.
You can cut it into squares and sew it onto a bag to make patches. You can also cut it into circles to make coasters. The possibilities are endless!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Felt Balls

Download Article

Do not cut the tufts. If you cut them, you will get sharp edges that will be harder to felt. You can use natural, uncolored wool, or wool that has been dyed bright colors. The size of the tufts doesn't really matter, but a 4 to 5-inch long (10 to 12 centimeters) tuft will give you a bead about the size of a cherry.^{[10]XResearch source}
2
Fill a small tub with hot water and add some liquid dish soap into it. You will need 2 tablespoons of dish soap for every 3 cups (700 milliliters) of water.^{[11]XResearch source} Gently swish the water to mix, but not so much to create suds.
- The hotter the water, the faster the wool will felt. The water shouldn't be so hot that you can't handle it, however.
Don't worry about forming a firm ball just yet. You can use all one color of wool, or several different colors for a more interesting felt ball.
Hold the ball between your fingers, then dip it into the hot, soapy water. Don't worry if the ball starts to lose its shape and sag. You will reshape it in the next step.
The ball will be loose at first, but then it will start to become more firm. This will take about 10 minutes.^{[12]XResearch source} Be careful not to squeeze it too much. If you are making multiple beads, the water may cool down while you work. When that happens, replace the tub with more hot, soapy water.^{[13]XResearch source}
This will get rid of the soap and help set the fibers.^{[14]XResearch source} If you'd like, you can then soak it in some water with a splash of white vinegar in it. This will help remove the rest of the soap and brighten the wool's color.
Be careful not to squeeze too hard, of you may distort the ball.
This will take about 24 hours. Remember, just because the ball is dry on the outside does not necessarily mean that it is dry on the inside.^{[15]XResearch source}
Poke a hole through each ball using a darning needle, and pull some heavy thread through it. You may need to use needle nose pliers to help pull the needle through, especially of the felt balls are firm.^{[16]XResearch source} Hang the garland wherever you like when you are done.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
What other materials can I use besides wool?
Community Answer
It is mainly just wool that felts well, but sheep wool is not the only kind of wool. I use llama wool to felt all the time, also you can use angora goat, alpaca, and cashmere wool to make felt.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 11 Helpful 15
Question
What about needle felting?
Community Answer
There is a really good channel on YouTube called "Maqaroon." Check out her videos, I'm sure you will find them helpful.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 13 Helpful 17
Question
Once I felt the ball, can I keep adding more layers?
Community Answer
Yes, you can add as many layers to it as you would like.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 6 Helpful 6

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Put a couple of different colors together for a multicolored project.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
You can buy raw wool in the needle felting section of an arts and crafts store or a fabric store. You can also find it online.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
The hotter the water, the faster the wool will felt.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Do not use acrylic wool. Acrylic fibers will not felt.
Thanks
Helpful12 Not Helpful0
Avoid using soap that has dyes and fragrances in it.
Thanks
Helpful10 Not Helpful1
Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin or allergies to wool.
Thanks
Helpful7 Not Helpful1