Introduction to Textiles Colne Library Session 2

In session 2 we learnt how to make basic felt.

You will need merino felting wool (http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/), old towels, bubble wrap, some hot water in a bowl & olive oil soap.

Lay down your old towel and place your bubble wrap on top (about 18 inches square). Pull off bits of merino wool that are about 3 inches long. Notice the wool fibres.  Lay the wool down flat in the same direction, e.g all horizontal so that some of the pieces overlap. Make a 12 inch square.  Now do the same again but this time put the wool fibres vertical on top of the wool square.

Dribble some of your hot water onto the felt and rub it with your hand to wet all the wool.  Now rub it with olive oil soap.  Rub vigorously building up a lather.  This friction felts the wool fibres together.  Turn the piece of felt over and rub hard again.  Once the wool holds firmly together is is time to rinse the felted piece.  Do this first in hot water, then cold water and lastly hot water again.  This helps to shrink the fibres.  Put on a radiator to dry.