Felting is a simple yet effective process. The felting process compacts and tangles wool fibers, eventually shrinking them so they mat tightly together. This is known as wet felting and is a different technique to dry felting. Wet felting produces a firm and robust fabric. Needle felting is better suited to embellishments or surface decoration and 3d designs.
A great way to recycle old woolen garments such as sweaters and cardigans is to felt them. Including the items to be felted in a full load on a hot-wash cycle in a washing machine is a quick way to felt them. The washing machine provides the heat, water and agitation required for the felting process to occur. When felted the finished item can be used to make bags, toys or even a simple hot water bottle cover.
Felting is not a precise technique and this is particularly evident with old or recycled woolen items. Two apparently identical items can felt in different ways due to a number of factors including how old the garment is and how it has previously been looked after. There are, however, a few key tips that will help to produce successful results.
Tips for Successful Felting of Garments in the Washing Machine
- Check that the garment is pure wool. The finished results might be unreliable if there are other fibers present.
- Ensure that the items are included in a full washing load. Towels and sheets are ideal for including with felting projects as these are not likely to be effected by the hot water (although do check washing instructions first!). The other items in the load will help to maximize the agitation of the item.
- Put the washing machine onto the hottest setting. The heat will shrink the fibers and this creates a firm, dense fabric.
- To stop both sides of a garment felting together, either place a piece of plastic inside the garment and lightly stitch this in place or firmly rub soap into the inside of the garment. This starts the felting process and forms a lightly matted surface which will help to stop the sides of the garment sticking together. Depending on how the felted item is to be used, another alternative is to cut the garment at the sides so it is flat.
- Remove any labels or non woolen items such as embellishments. These will not felt and can distort the finished item.
- Remember that the felting process can not be undone! Therefore if a softer felt is required keep checking the item during the felting process. The felting process can be spread out over any period of time.
