Outfits created by the hands of skilled craftswomen are always highly valued, expensive and adored by fashionistas. Handicraft allows you to create original, stylish clothes in limited quantities. Lately, woolen coats, skirts and dresses have become increasingly popular, so wool felting, which allows you to make beautiful clothes, is especially popular today.
The wool felting technique is an original way of shaping wool into felt fabric, from which original clothing is subsequently created. The new stage in the development of felting techniques is especially pleasing, since now you can create warm, pleasant to the touch and beautiful wardrobe items. Natural wool is used as a base for various types of clothing, accessories, children's toys, and decorative items for residential interiors.
Experienced craftswomen argue that it is better for a beginner in this matter to opt for wool that will be characterized by obvious properties - good tenacity of the fibers. Note that for needlework you will need to select unspun material, which is sold in special stores. The use of wool of this quality will guarantee that the clothes will be clean, safe, and of high quality.
The degree of coarseness of wool is selected depending on the purpose of its use.
We also note that the technology of creating clothes from wool by felting can be implemented in two ways: dry or wet. In the first case, the main working tool is a special needle, and in the second, a soap solution. Methods of felting wool that vary in implementation allow one to achieve one goal - to entangle wool fibers into a single fabric from which an item is created. You can also combine both methods to create one item. But in this case, it is important to remember that products made using mixed technology (dry + wet felting techniques) require following certain rules: you need to use only absolutely dry material, which will prevent the risk of its deformation, tearing, and breaking.
Master classes for beginners with step-by-step execution of products will be an excellent help for inexperienced craftswomen. In the process of working and subsequently wearing a wool product, a beginner may have a lot of nuances and questions. And experienced craftswomen share their experience and give useful advice.
Required materials and tools
The process of felting a full-fledged piece of clothing will take a decent amount of time and require a lot of work and patience. You will also need to stock up on materials. You will need different types of unspun wool: coarse combed sliver, carded wool, semi-fine wool, and the finest (needed to create designs on clothes).
The tools you will need for dry felting are:
- special needles with serifs. It is better to have three types of such a tool at once: a thick, medium and thin needle;
- high density foam backing. An option made of felt or rubber is also suitable;
- if you plan to create a pattern on canvas, then make sure you have colored yarn;
- attributes for decorating clothes;
For wet felting you will need:
- soap solution;
- mosquito net of high strength and density;
- oilcloth for making patterns;
- bubble wrap;
- water, scissors, towel;
- rolling device. You can use a regular rolling pin or a bamboo mat;
- viscose from which the backing is made.
Needles Felting methods
If you want to add a unique item made from natural wool to your wardrobe, you should pay attention to felting technology. But remember, you shouldn’t start your journey in this field with a difficult thing. Most likely, you will not be able to make a coat without making a single mistake. Start with a small accessory. The following describes the features of different felting methods.
Felted clothing is made from natural wool in two ways: dry or wet. The first is implemented using a special tool, and the second - using water and soap. But besides this, the methods have several other differences.
Dry
The dry method involves quickly piercing natural wool with a special needle until the fibers of the material are compacted so much that they become tangled and turn into felt. To begin, lay out the material along the pattern, forming a pattern (if you plan to create one). Next, use a special needle, which carefully pierce the wool evenly over the entire area of the product. You will need a thick needle. Do not forget to turn the canvas over, which will allow you to treat all its sections equally. Pay attention to both the edges and the middle of the product. After the material is somewhat compacted and its fluffiness is removed, set aside the thick one and take a thinner needle. It will help create relief, as it pierces the material unevenly.
In the process of creating clothes from felted wool, you can adjust the relief, pattern, and shape of the product. The finished item is characterized by the following qualities:
- high density, no deformation of the entire product and its edges;
- uniformity, absence of corners, dimples, and other defects;
- smooth to the touch. High-quality woolen items should not prick or cause other unpleasant sensations when touching human skin;
- resistance to water. If a drop of water gets on a finished product made of natural wool, it should not be absorbed by the material;
- the wool becomes quite thin (at least thinner than the material at the beginning of work);
- by visual inspection it is impossible to determine in which direction the fibers are located.
It is important to remember that during the process the volume of wool will decrease by 3-4 times. This fact will determine the amount of expenses during material procurement.
Wet
Sewing clothes from natural wool can be done using the wet method. This is quite a difficult task, because you will need to smooth the woolen fabric in soapy foam until it turns into felt. The main stages of creating clothes from natural wool using this method:
- preparing a pattern for a future product. Transfer to film, add 35% along the contour on each side, because natural material shrinks. Set aside the pattern;
- place small pieces of wool in different directions. For example, experts prefer a checkerboard order. Try to ensure that the layer of wool is the same in all areas of the product. Avoid gaps by adjusting the thickness of the blade as you work. The wool is folded either according to a certain pattern to obtain a pattern, or randomly;
- cover everything with a mosquito net, moisten the cloth with a heated soap solution. The material must be pressed firmly against the oilcloth, this will allow the wool to be completely saturated. Do the work carefully so as not to move the layers or disrupt the integrity of the drawing. Don't use too much water. Excess can be removed with a towel. Press on the canvas, if only foam is released, then the optimal amount of water has been used;
- then proceed directly to felting the wool. It is performed by hand using a rolling pin or a wooden massager. The areas of the future coat need to be smoothed evenly, for which you need to turn it over periodically. The layers of wool should stop shifting, turning into a continuous layer, on which there are no individual threads, from which pieces do not fall off;
- Rinse clothes in clean water or wash them in a washing machine at low speeds, dry them on a mannequin or flattened.
If you carry out the work step by step, without haste, then soon you will please yourself with an excellent woolen coat, skirt or accessory in the form of a handbag.
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Felt (English) – [noun] felt, felt; [verb] to felt wool, to knock down felt
I think, first of all, it wouldn’t hurt to find out the answer to the most important question - why does wool fall off? It's all in its structure! Remember, not so long ago there was an advertisement on TV for a shampoo that made your hair smooth and silky? Then they showed the ugly split ends in close-up. So, sheep's wool in normal condition looks about the same =)
Comparison of human hair and sheep wool. Are there many differences?
Because of this “layering,” human hair can even form tangles and “fall off.” But what is not good for our hair is good for felting. It is this structure of sheep wool that allows you to create wonderful toys, clothes, felt boots, carpets and much more.
Naturally, not only sheep’s wool is suitable for felting. You can use alpaca, camel, llama and yak wool, as well as cashmere, anagora and mohair.
Who wants a sheep? =) Felting (felting, felting) is the process of creating various products from unspun wool by interlocking and interweaving its fibers in various ways.
There are many different types of felting - dry felting, wet felting, nuno felting, knit felting. Below I will discuss the main techniques.
Basic dry felting techniques for beginners
First of all, let's get acquainted with the technique of dry felting wool. Although it appeared much later than wet felting, it is currently gaining more and more popularity. With a regular needle you can create truly unique creations! Here, take a look at works of famous masters
I want to warn you that this type of creativity is not suitable for children under 10 years old and those who like to create while watching TV (although I do this). If you are too distracted, you can pierce your finger right through - the needles are very sharp, and the notches are good at tearing the skin.
I will briefly describe the process:
The wool layout is soaked in a hot soapy solution, then ironed and rubbed in different directions, gradually increasing the pressure. To facilitate work in the initial stages, a vibratory grinder is often used. You get a canvas - felt.
Advice. When making patterns for the desired product, keep in mind that when wet felting, the wool will shrink by 30-40 percent
Wet felting technique
This step-by-step description of the wet felting technique will help beginners understand (and, I hope, motivate to try and enjoy) the process =)
You will need:
- unspun wool,
- bubble wrap,
- bamboo napkin,
- soap,
- warm water.
- Separate identical shreds of wool about 8 centimeters long from the woolen tape. Place them on bubble wrap in one direction, slightly overlapping each other. Similarly, we lay out 3-4 layers, the wool fibers in each of which are perpendicular to the previous one.
- The last layer can be applied with a pattern made from scraps of woolen thread, scraps of wool, etc.
- Prepare a soap solution. To do this, dissolve soap in warm water (there is a special soap for wet felting, which is gentle on the skin of your hands, but you can also use baby soap, liquid soap, or even dishwashing detergent) - whatever you have on hand. We wet our workpiece and cover it with a net or bubble wrap.
Using soft circular movements, stroke the fur in all directions. Gradually increase the pressure. This stage can be completed when individual fibers no longer separate from our fabric. - Place the workpiece along with the film on a bamboo napkin and roll it into a tight roll. We wrap this structure in a towel - this will help remove excess water. We ride back and forth a hundred times. Then we unfold it, turn the canvas 90 degrees and make a roll again.
- When falling, the canvas will decrease by 25-30 percent. Rinse the finished canvas in warm water and leave to dry. Do not wring - just squeeze slightly to remove some of the water.
Carpets, paintings, clothes, bags, jewelry and accessories are made this way.
Visually about wet felting:
Felting in the washing machine
One of the techniques for wet felting wool is felting in a washing machine. It requires almost no physical effort and can be done in two ways:
- Using a deboning mold
Volumetric forms are covered with wool, fixed with nylon and sent to the washing machine.
Cute Easter gift - wool eggs felted in a washing machine - Felting knitted items
Currently, you can find special yarn for felting on sale. Using a crochet hook or knitting needles, you knit a product that is 30 percent larger than required (to know the exact shrinkage, a test sample is felted and the compression in width and length is calculated from it) and either sent to the washing machine or felted by hand. Looks very interesting, doesn't it? And it’s easier than wet felting, in my opinion.
Felting is for the laziest. I tied it into the washing machine;) That's all!
So, we looked at the basic techniques of felting wool - a very interesting creative process. If you are a beginner felter and there are some points you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask questions!
Don't be afraid to experiment!
Felted merino wool coat, very warm and practical
Clothes made with your own hands remain out of fashion. High-quality manufacturing, exclusive design, natural materials and practicality are the main values of handicraftsmanship.
ABOUT One of these types of handicraft art, which is gaining more and more popularity these days, is wool felting. The clothes turn out to be warm, pleasant to the touch, comfortable, practical, as they get dirty a little and hardly get wet.
Felting wool (felting or felting) is a method of turning unspun wool into durable felt.
Methods of felting wool
If you are already eager to replenish your wardrobe with a similar item, do not rush to take on a complex model of a coat or skirt. Try to start with a small accessory to acquire the skill of working with the material, understand its features and choose a technique that is convenient for you.
You can make felted clothing from six in two ways: dry and wet.
Items made of wool
In dry felting, the main tool is a special needle, in wet felting - a soap solution.Completely different methods lead to the same result - tangling of wool fibers.
Necessary materials
Any method of felting requires a lot of time, labor and patience. If you are already ready for this, then we will collect materials.
An original wool skirt, suitable for any fashionista
First of all, you need unspun wool. For clothing, coarse combed tape or carded wool is used, semi-fine wool and very fine wool to create a pattern.
For dry felting:
- Needles of three types (thick, medium and thin) with special serifs.
- The backing is made of dense foam rubber, felt or rubber.
- Yarn of different colors (if there is a pattern).
- Attributes for decorating the finished product.
Materials and tools for dry felting
For wet felting:
- Soap solution (water and soap).
- Dense mosquito net.
- Oilcloth for pattern.
- Film with pimples.
- Water, scissors, towels.
- Rolling tool (rolling pin, wooden massager or bamboo mat).
- Viscose for backing.
Materials for wet felting
Wet felting technology
It is a labor-intensive process of smoothing woolen fabric in soap suds, turning it into felt.
Variety of wet felted wool dresses
The basic steps for making woolen clothing are:
- First of all, prepare a pattern according to your measurements. We transfer it to film and add 30-40% along the contour on all sides, since the wool will shrink. We remove the pattern.
- The second step is laying out the wool. We lay out small pieces of wool in different directions, preferably in a checkerboard pattern. We make the layer of wool the same in all areas, avoiding gaps. We adjust the thickness, based on the fact that the wool will decrease by 2-3 times during the felting process. The wool is laid out in a specific pattern or in a completely free order, as your imagination suggests.
- Cover everything with a net and moisten it tightly with hot soapy water. Then we press it well with our hands onto the oilcloth so that the wool is completely saturated. We do everything carefully so that the layers do not shift and the drawing remains intact. There should not be too much water; remove excess water with a towel; only foam should be released when pressed.
Tutorial on felting a double-sided skirt part 1
Tutorial on felting a double-sided skirt, part 2
Now the felting process itself begins, namely the work of the hands. This is where a rolling pin or a wooden massager can come to the rescue. Each section of the product is systematically smoothed, turned over, smoothed again and rubbed until the layers stop shifting. The result should be a continuous layer without protruding threads or falling off pieces.
Master class on felting a blouse
Rinse the finished product in clean water, or in a washing machine at low speed. Dry only flat or on a mannequin.
Dry felting technique
It consists of quickly piercing wool, as a result of which the fibers become tangled, compacted and turned into felt.
First of all, the yarn is laid out along the pattern, forming a pattern, if any. And we begin piercing, evenly passing through all areas of the product, constantly turning it over, processing both the edges and the middle of the canvas equally carefully.
Sleeveless coat with red roses, dry felted
At first, only a thick needle is used, which makes deep punctures. At this stage, the frizz is removed and the fur falls off.
As compaction progresses, the thick needle changes to a thin one and completes the felting process. A thin needle creates a relief by unevenly piercing. This is not necessary for felting clothes; the fabric must be smooth, so the punctures should not be deep.
As you work, pieces of wool can be added and the pattern and shape of the product can be adjusted. An important point: when felting, the amount of wool decreases by three to four times. If this is your first time taking up felting, remember this when purchasing material.
- dense, holds its shape, shines in the light;
- homogeneous, without tubercles and dimples, no villi protruding from it;
- smooth, does not absorb water;
- thin, several times less than the original thickness;
- it is impossible to determine the direction of the fibers, it is impossible to pull out a single strand;
- The entire canvas looks almost the same when viewed through light.
Incomparable DIY felted coats
Beautiful felted items are created only through incredible diligence, physical labor and a lot of time. But don't be afraid of this. The process of felting clothes is quite simple, interesting and accessible to everyone. So, away with doubts and your endeavors will be crowned with success!
Ancient crafts have always been of interest to creative people, because of the originality of handmade products, such things, original works, are always relevant. Felting wool and its uniqueness today represents a new direction in fashion. Modern craftswomen create not only clothes and various accessories from wool. In their hands, toys of extraordinary beauty, exclusive sweaters, hats and coats come to life. Felting, felting, stuffing is the felting of woolen items. Clothing that has undergone this treatment is very soft and dense. The technique of creating felted items can be performed using two methods: wet and dry. Needlewomen use one method or another and describe it in detail using examples of the things they have created. Pinterest offers many ideas.
The revival of felting techniques has especially pleased modern fashionistas. Things made from natural wool are not only trendy, they are very warm and pleasant to the body. In addition to clothing items, today's needlewomen can felt anything from wool. Any element of the interior, toys for children, everything is in the hands of craftswomen.
For beginning needlewomen, experts advise choosing wool with obvious qualities of good adhesion of its pile to each other. In addition, the material for work must be unspun. You can purchase such material in specialized stores or using catalogs and offers.
Typically, this purchase option guarantees that the product will:
- Clean;
- Safe;
- Qualitative.
Depending on the purpose, it is necessary to choose coarse or fine wool. For outerwear, bags, slippers or accessories, it is good to use coarse wool. Elements of clothing, sweaters, skirts, dresses, children's toys require the use of semi-fine and fine wool structure. Helps craftswomen with a master class for beginners with step-by-step execution of products and videos.
Effective felting of clothes: wet method
Wet felting wool involves wetting it with a soap solution and then gently smoothing it in different directions. When making a vest or other product using this technique, it is necessary to increase the pattern by about 40%, because wool shrinks.
To make small three-dimensional objects, the wool ball is kneaded by hand.
A flat fabric comes out when wet felting of wool is used. Clothing and objects that represent the extraordinary imagination of the needlewoman can only be made by prolonged rolling out of the workpiece or smoothing it by hand. The main material for felting a children's jacket or other product is unspun wool. Different types of material are used for work.
Depending on the established plan, you need to take one of several types of fiber:
- The coarsest wool is combed;
- Semi-fine wool;
- Very thin.
To work, you need to prepare a flat surface with certain dimensions, PE film with bubble finishing, a mosquito net, soap solution, water, a spray bottle, and finishing accessories. The force of the craftswoman’s hands is the main tool in wool processing. As a result, the use of wet felting makes it possible to realize the most original ideas. The traditional scheme for performing this technique is simple - laying out the woolen material, the procedure for making the base for felting (prefelt), processing the original material, previously soaked with a soap solution, into a homogeneous needle-punched fabric. Next comes the shrinking of the prefelt, highlighting the texture of the material, and eliminating the wetting component. Folding patterns become a defining feature of the future product range.
Stages of felting wool dresses
Today, the felting process is performed using various techniques. A master class on one of the options for wet felting a dress is presented below. On the oilcloth template with the markings of dress sizes, a thin layer of felt is laid overlapping each other.
It is necessary to lay out the wool in a checkerboard pattern: horizontally, then across.
It is necessary to control the thickness of the canvas, it must be uniform. The canvas must be moistened with water from a spray bottle.
Stages:
- The wetted workpiece must be covered with a net. It is convenient to use a mosquito net.
- The layout must be carefully moistened with a soap solution through a net so that the pattern does not move.
- Carefully press the product onto the oilcloth with your hands so that the base is well saturated with the soap solution.
- Excess solution must be removed with a towel.
- Begin the felting process by thoroughly smoothing and rubbing each area. Felting should be done gradually, removing the mesh and turning the product over.
- The canvas is considered ready if, when stretched upward, the entire layer can be removed without separating the strips.
The resulting felt should be rinsed in not hot water until the foam is completely eliminated. Dry the canvas unfolded horizontally. The construction of the cut dress can be done on silk or other material. When the cutting is done, the details need to be sewn and the dress can be considered ready. The craftswomen's fair provides a detailed felting course. The patterns are offered by Lisa Houghton, the book is very colorful and features fashion collections.
Details for felting a jacket
Making voluminous items, for example, a jacket, will require a detailed study of a technique such as dry felting. It is very important to prepare the work area and material before starting felting.
Before felting, you need to make sketches or patterns for the future jacket or cardigan.
The wool, laid out according to the prepared template, needs to be poked often and a lot with a serrated felting needle so that the fabric becomes dense. The canvas needs to be rotated all the time, so the density will be uniform. Each area must be pricked frequently.
Additional decorations:
- Lace;
- Ruffles;
- Tapes;
- Ribbon;
- Busin;
- Sequins;
- Beads, etc.
While working, it is possible to add new pieces of mohair and wool, creating the composition that is planned and ensuring that it matches the pattern.
Every handmade wool product has some aspects that require improvement and correction. During wear, sometimes things may require repairs, so experienced needlewomen give some advice. A number of rules must be applied to products that combine two technologies: the semi-finished product must be well dried.
This will make it possible to avoid:
- Deformation;
- Gap;
- Breaking.
It is better to start dry technique with large-thick fiber blanks: carding, combed tape. The finest wool should be used for final finishing. A thin needle needs to be pricked very often, to a shallow depth. If you prick deeply, there will be an unaesthetic mark on the surface, and if you prick rarely, tubercles will appear.
A replacement for hands in the wet method is a bamboo mat on which the workpiece must be laid.
The rug is rolled into a roll and rolled in different directions, achieving dense felting. Among the prepared tools there should be towels to collect excess soap solution. PE bags are needed for additional protection of the workplace, as well as for use as spacers between parts. This measure makes it possible to avoid adhesion of elements to each other.
Felting wool clothes: master class (video)
Felting is a fascinating type of needlework, which is very popular among creative people today. Exclusive, warm, comfortable clothes wear well and are easy to care for, because they hardly get dirty. To clean it, you can use a standard clothes brush. And the most severe stains can be removed by rinsing the item under water.
There are many different types of needlework, among which you can always choose what you like most. There is no point in giving advice here, since every creative person is looking for his own direction. Take felting, for example. This type of needlework, unfamiliar to many, is actually a good opportunity to learn how to make a wide variety of useful things.
Raw felting - or felting - is a useful and interesting hobby that can be done at home, plus it is a good way to earn money. The technology makes it possible to make from felt not only the familiar felt boots, but also toys, paintings, bags and even jewelry. Our article contains a technique for laying out wool, a tutorial for making toys, and a useful video at the end of the article.
The good thing about felting is that both children and adults can learn it. Even those who seem to have no creative abilities, start doing the most incredible things. But first you need to learn this art and watch several master classes.
Wet felting came to us from those regions where sheep breeding is developed. People there have long made their own clothes by soaking and felting animal hair. By the way, one of the advantages of this direction can be called a healing feature - it is a good way to massage your fingers.
The main objective of the master class is not just training, but the ability to make a practical felted product.
Before starting work you will need a whole list of materials and available tools:
Well, the most important thing that should be on the table is wool, scissors, barbed needles for matting hairs, a marker and a stationery knife.
Those who does needlework on a regular basis, you will need a grinder (vibrating). With its help you can speed up the process several times.
Frequent use of the finished product will require that all parts be well secured. For these purposes, impregnation is used in the form of acrylic varnish, wallpaper glue or cellulose granules.
Gallery: wet felting of wool products (25 photos)
Wet felting: master class
So, we figured out the necessary devices and tools. Now you can start learning.
The simplest and most necessary of a large list of products is an ordinary ball. There seems to be nothing complicated about this, however, even among the masters themselves there are disagreements on the method of rolling the ball. The easiest way is to take a few pieces from a skein of wool, crumple them, soak them in a soapy solution and roll them up.
The second method is more complicated:
Consider, using wet felting from wool, master class on creating flowers.
- The wool is laid out in layers on a film with bubbles. We pull out the wool pieces by hand, placing several layers on top of each other. One layer is laid out lengthwise, another across, and so on. They should overlap each other evenly.
- The naturalness of the flower is achieved by superimposing on the first leveled layer a second one with a different color, but similar in shade to it.
- Veins are made from the layer of the second color by twisting the fibers into threads.
- The flower is covered with a net, moistened with soapy water on top and pressed down with palms.
- After this, roll the mesh with a rolling pin in different directions.
- As soon as the hairs stop separating from each other, the semi-finished product is taken out and continues to be felted by hand.
- Rinse the felted product with running water and smooth out any unevenness with scissors.
- Once again, roll the rolling pin a little and put it in a glass or vase to dry, giving the flower a shape.
You can make a brooch from such a flower, or simply decorate your interior with it. This master class is suitable even for teaching children aged 11-12 years.
Wet felting painting
An interesting direction in this creativity is the felting of paintings. Wool with different shades of colors It shimmers beautifully and the resulting result looks very good. master class for creating pictures consists of the following steps:
The main plot is formed both dry and wet. If flowers are involved in the picture, then:
- buds, leaves, petals are formed from the pieces;
- for stems and branches, a tourniquet is twisted;
- all this is placed according to the plot and covered with a net;
- The fabric is moistened with soap and water through the mesh and first lightly stroked;
- gradually the pressure increases;
- if the likelihood of the pattern shifting has disappeared, the mesh is removed and felting begins.
Felting involves not only rolling with a rolling pin, but also performing the same manipulations as with dough. When everything is ready, the painting is washed, dried and framed. It is best to dry by straightening it on some kind of board.
Toy making technique has always been the dry method. However, for beginners, especially those who have tried the wet method, it will be easier to felt using a master class with soapy water. Let's look at how to make toys using the example of a fox. To work, you will need everything the same and plus everything: a needle and thread, a large towel, polyethylene, eyes for the animal.
Let's get started:
To make the little fox toy look three-dimensional, it is stretched, for example, onto a glass and dried. Eyes are sewn onto the dried figurine.
