Methods of felting wool, what clothes can be made

Outfits created by skilled craftswomen are always highly valued, expensive and adored by fashionistas. Handicrafts allow you to create original, stylish clothes in limited quantities. Recently, wool coats, skirts and dresses have become increasingly popular, so felting from wool, which allows you to make beautiful clothes, is especially popular today.

Features of the technique

The technique of felting wool is an original way of giving wool the form of felt cloth, from which original clothes are subsequently created. The new round of development of the felting technique is especially pleasing, as now it is possible to create warm, pleasant to the touch and beautiful wardrobe items. Natural wool is used as a basis for various types of clothing, accessories, children's toys, decorative items for residential interiors.

Experienced craftswomen claim that a beginner in this matter should better choose wool that will be characterized by obvious properties of good tenacity of the villi. Note that for needlework you will need to select non-spun material, which is sold in special stores. Using wool of this quality will guarantee that the clothes will be clean, safe and of high quality.

The degree of coarseness of the wool is selected depending on the purpose of its use.

It should also be noted that the technology of creating wool clothing 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. Different methods of wool felting allow you to achieve one goal - to tangle the wool fibers into a single fabric from which the 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, breakage.

Master classes for beginners with step-by-step production of products will be a great help for inexperienced craftswomen. In the process of work and subsequent wearing of a wool product, a beginner may have a lot of nuances and questions. And experienced craftswomen share their experience and give useful advice.

Necessary materials and tools

The process of felting a full-fledged garment will take a decent amount of time, 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 tape, carded wool, semi-fine wool, the finest (needed to create patterns on clothes).

The following tools are required for dry felting:

• special needles with notches. It is better to have three types of such a tool at once: thick, medium and thin needles;
• high-density foam backing. Felt or rubber backing will also work;
• If you plan to create a design on the canvas, then make sure you have colored yarn;
• attributes for clothing decoration;

For wet felting you will need:

• soap solution;
• high strength and density mosquito net;
• 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.

Felting methods

If you want to add a unique item made of natural wool to your wardrobe, you should pay attention to the felting technology. But remember, you should not start your journey in this field with a complex item. Most likely, you will not be able to make a coat without a single mistake. Start with a small accessory. Below are the features of different felting methods.

Felted clothing is made from natural wool in two ways: dry or wet. The first is done with a special tool, and the second is done with water and soap. But apart from that, 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 so compacted that they become tangled and turn into felt. First, lay out the material according to the pattern, forming a pattern (if you plan to create one). Next, use a special needle, which carefully pierces the wool evenly over the entire surface of the product. You will need a thick needle. Do not forget to turn the fabric over, which will allow you to process all its areas equally. Pay attention to both the edges and the middle of the product. After the material has compacted somewhat and its fluffiness has been removed, put 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;
• homogeneity, absence of corners, dimples, and other defects;
• smoothness to the touch. High-quality woolen items should not prickle or cause other unpleasant sensations when touching human skin;
• resistance to water. If a drop of water falls 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 the work);
• It is impossible to determine the direction of the fibers by visual inspection.

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 the purchase of material.

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 soap foam until it turns into felt. The main stages of creating clothes from natural wool using this method:

• preparing the pattern of the future product. Transfer it to the film, add 35% on each side along the contour, because natural material shrinks. Put the pattern aside;
• Place small pieces of wool in different directions. For example, experts prefer a checkerboard pattern. Try to make sure that the wool layer is the same on all areas of the product. Avoid gaps by adjusting the thickness of the fabric as you work. The wool is folded either according to a specific pattern to create a pattern, or chaotically;
• Cover everything with a mosquito net, wet the canvas with a warm soap solution. The material should be pressed well against the oilcloth, this will allow the wool to be completely soaked. Work carefully so as not to shift the layers, not to disturb the integrity of the pattern. Do not use too much water. The excess can be removed with a towel. Press on the canvas, if only foam comes out, then the optimal amount of water has been used;
• then proceed directly to felting the wool. This is done by hand using a rolling pin or a wooden massager. The sections of the future coat need to be smoothed out evenly, for which periodically turn it over. The layers of wool should stop shifting, turning into a solid layer on which there are no individual threads, from which pieces do not fall off;
• Rinse the clothes in clean water or wash them in a washing machine at low speed, dry them on a mannequin or in a straightened out state.

If you do the work step by step, without rushing, then soon you will please yourself with an excellent wool coat, skirt or accessory in the form of a handbag.

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