How to make a wet felt hat

[@donutpanic]

For anyone who has difficulty hearing my rambling commentary, look at my other videos, some of which have scrolling subtitles. The liquid is just soapy water!

[@joelquaintance9025]

Excellent! Best felt hat making video on KZbin. Thanks a million.

[@maryannhalstead5547]

I have to say that I’ve learned more in your one video, than I have in all of the dozens of other wet felting videos I’ve watched before this. Thank you!

[@donutpanic]

Thanks MaryAnn!

[@GardensLadyBug]

I agree.

[@jonhowell1711]

By far the most informative wet felting video available. If you want to make hats this is the instruction manual. Worth paying attention to every word and every action.

[@rachelenthusiast2901]

I really appreciate this video! You showed every step without speeding through (leaving that up to the viewer), used tools that just about anyone could easily get their hands on, and shared golden nuggets of information throughout. I can't wait to try this! Thank you!

[@donutpanic]

You're welcome!

[@marthaburriss5740]

I have watched you make your hat multiple times. Thank you for proving that felting alpaca fiber into a hat doesn't require all of the gadgets and steps that many felters seem to require. I have completed several felted hats but when I've been away from it for a bit,I like to come back and refresh my memory of your steps.

[@donutpanic]

@marthaburriss5740 Thanks Martha! I'm glad my videos have helped.

[@unclerojelio6320]

"annoy the fibers into the shape of a hat" Brilliant.

[@Dylfunkle]

My favourite line in the first quarter.

[@dejaquefluya]

@@Dylfunkle 0

[@barbatloosenutproductions2027]

Well? I'd be annoyed, if somebody tried to shape me into a hat! 🤣

[@JohnandHollySasser]

Loves this video. I liked that it is in real time with all of the rambling explanations. It’s as if you are learning it as a real apprentice.

[@lachlansmith]

Made my first hat today using some alpaca fleece which was only possible thanks to your very informative videos. Thank you for the time and effort you put in making these videos.

[@donutpanic]

You are welcome - I'm glad they helped. Get a sweatband and hat band sewn in to keep it's size.

[@sumajestadrosas9929]

Please Could you tell me what he use whit the water? Salt? Thnks alot.

[@donutpanic]

@sumajestadrosas9929 it's just soap. Any soap should work but I use Olive Oil soap.

[@artistpw]

You can also do loose knitting and wet felt that. The knitting may make stronger fabric. It's always handy to have some felting needles. Natural animal fibers can always be felted together. It's nice to know about many crafting methods.

[@verdatum]

I think I've picked up more from this video than I have from entire books on this topic. Making a beaver-fur top hat has been on my project list for years now.

[@jackwilson8870]

This was amazing, I watched the entire video, and I now have a desire to make my own hat.

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Jack. Good luck with your hat!

[@ГалинаГалина-л2н]

I am felting. Felting shoes, hats, scarves, socks, mitts. I play a lot and different. Come to me. My channel kzbin.info/door/X6i-xgHupQXTe9gaEOJXVA?view_as=subscriber. Subscribe to my channel.

[@dsmith199]

I never would have guessed that this is how a beautiful felted hat is made or how to even begin to do it. Thank you so very much for this video!

[@donutpanic]

You might find this interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZDPi6GGo5V2Zs0

[@dsmith199]

@@donutpanic That’s the first video of yours that I saw. I immediately subscribed to your channel. I’m really excited to try this!

[@moonuwoo]

I watched the whole thing and loved, and laughed in places at, your 'rambling commentary'. This was a treat to watch the whole process in real time, start to finish. I'm impressed and inspired so I think your goal was accomplished!

[@donutpanic]

Thanks for your lovely comment. I look forward to seeing your hats!

[@andresFB]

This has to be the very best video ever on the internet. Congrats! At around 1h 6 mins I was thinking "WTF!? That was a pile of hair one hour ago!" So amazing...

[@donutpanic]

@@andresFB Thanks for the lovely comment!

[@Kimdino1]

After watching this video I'm wishing I had saved the cuttings from all the haircuts I've ever had. Having reached 60yo and having the pate associated with old age I'm thinking I could have used all that hair to make a hat with. I could then say, in perfect honesty, "I've still got all my hair on my head!"

[@LC-iu4gr]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@camazotzz]

Ha! pretty itchy hat though!

[@Msmargret1]

Silly, but true! At 65, my Coton de Tulear dog is 6 years old. I've been saving her combings and home cuttings the entire time. There is enough to do something that will keep her with me forever. I'm learning to felt a nightcap as a test. If it's as pretty as I think it will be, the original idea of felting a quilt batting will give way to a winter hat. Human hair is fiber, too. If it is itchy, line your hat! Thanks for the smile.

[@shaunsimmons204]

@@Msmargret1 I've spun and crocheted "dog yarn" from a couple part-chows. Very soft, very warm, but even after washing with soap, the swatch tended to smell like a wet dog whenever it got wet again. Certainly, woolen garments have a specific smell when they get wet, so I suppose it shouldn't be surprising.

[@Idagailfeltsl]

Hair does not felt

[@rosaliedean8804]

Thanks Mike for such an instructive step by step video. Nice to hear that one can sart and stop to let hands recover. Great that you also teach how to finish up the dry hat.

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Rosalie!

[@decab8292]

Although i am several years late to the party but Thank you for your time in creating this video, it's been a wonderful hour and half watching your creative process in felting & hat making. 😎

[@donutpanic]

Thanks - your comment is much appreciated.

[@teariana1]

Love this technic! I'm thinking that it might work for knitted products. Who'd have thought bubble wrap could be used this way. The only high tech, lol, thing I see is the drainage table. I've never seen one just flat like that. Thanks

[@mariehud7382]

Well this is quite a process and it makes me understand the price of hand made felted hats. Thank you for making this video.

[@susie9893]

Thanks for this video. I was thinking to make myself a wool hat from scratch and this was very helpful and instructional but I've realised it's just not doable for me right now - I kinda have space to do it but I DON'T have the space to store all that equipment (just living in 1 room right now); this was worth watching to realise that (And the charming accent didn't hurt anything)

[@joelguzman9068]

Thank you very much, I appreciate your explanation of the process "How to make a wet felt hat"....

[@danmo43]

This has go to be one of the most fascinating videos I have ever watched on KZbin. Bravo!

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Danmo.

[@ruatarengsicolneyrengsi8924]

Sharing a very vital art step by step. Words fail me to express my appreciation. Many many thanks. God bless you.

[@beautifulsmall]

There are not many video's I watch for 90mins on a Friday night but with a bit of music this was a beautiful learning experience. Came here as I can't buy a lee Van Cleef GBU hat for in the uk . I am inspired. I must have a go. Great video, thank you so much. will make plywood formers.

[@donutpanic]

Thank you - I look forward to seeing the hat. Blue craft foam works well for hat blocks which are reasonably resilient and is easily shaped. I hope to make a hat block video soon.

[@markkolmorgan7728]

I loved the amount of information you dropped in this tutorial, the use of bubble wrap is inspired. Along the same line of thought, have you considered using an orbital palm sander with an adapted surface or a multi-speed massager with a "knubbly" head? Food for thought. I will watch your other videos in a few days after my brain has compressed this data.

[@sharonwilbourne7256]

Fascinating!Wonderful wet felted hat tutorial. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I throughly enjoyed watching you make the hat. Very focused and calming. The pace and tone of your voice as you work this felt is almost mesmerizing. Your voice kept putting me to sleep. Not boring, I have been ill so I seem to doze off easily. Thank you very much. Sharon Wilbourne

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Sharon. I hope you feel better soon.

[@jackcourtney877]

As I’m a milliner in the very early stages of his career (final year of degree level study) based in the UK but moving to the states to pursue millinery full time. Would you be willing to deliver what you teach in this video as a face to face and one to one workshop by any chance. It looks amazing and would greatly benefit my learning, career development and personal goals

[@kevinjohn3873]

Great demo👍 I made it to the end, but I cheated. I've been sitting at the drum carder with a batch of alpaca fleece😉. What better way to spend a few hours on a rainy day🙏🕊

[@lars2you]

Beautiful work, sir! I enjoyed every minute and I hope to try one myself as soon as I can catch an alpaca! Thank you…

[@donutpanic]

Thanks. There's plenty of alpaca fibre or sheep wool waiting to be made into a hat!

[@isabelladavis1363]

What a great setup certainly not something I could do in my house due to all of the water and drainage, quite a workout but what incredible results ...always have wanted to create my own hats loving them as I do,so happy I came across this video thank you so much for sharing ...while it’s fairly cool here now in the Deep South of Georgia I will give it a go,possibly as a gift for Christmas for family,

[@carolynhuff917]

Where are you located.

[@ГалинаГалина-л2н]

I am felting from sheep’s wool. Felting slippers, hats, scarves, socks, mittens. I play a lot of different things. I also have workshops on felting. I invite you to my channel kzbin.info/door/X6i-xgHupQXTe9gaEOJXVA?view_as=subscriber. Subscribe to my channel.

[@donutpanic]

Hi Carolyn. Nottinghamshire,UK.

[@theladyamalthea]

Amazing! I can now see why Hattery was considered a job for men, due to the strength involved. I would certainly not be able to work constantly with a piece of felt for up to three hours. I can also understand the cost of a proper felt hat now. This was very educational!

[@donutpanic]

Thanks for your comment Sara. The three hours doesn't have to be in one session of course - pace yourself!

[@theladyamalthea]

donutpanic So do you need to keep the felt wet, if you want to leave it and come back to it later? Let it dry and re-wet it?

[@donutpanic]

You can let it dry and return to it any time.

[@ГалинаГалина-л2н]

I am felting from sheep’s wool. Felting slippers, hats, scarves, socks, mittens. I play a lot of different things. I also have workshops on felting. I invite you to my channel kzbin.info/door/X6i-xgHupQXTe9gaEOJXVA?view_as=subscriber. Subscribe to my channel.

[@lamoskgr]

I'd pay every single penny you ask for that hay. That's a lot of work!!! ❤️

[@donutpanic]

Thank you. It takes some time, but it doesn't have to done in one session - you can do a little at a time and come back to it later. I don't think I could spin the wool and then knit a hat in the same time!

[@InsidetheBoothTV]

wow wow i mean you made your own felt and felt hat in 1 hr and 24 mins.. that was so cool. great job.. im trying to make a captain hook hat.. I would love one you made.. so cool

[@Supramonk]

Wow for me this video is the best since we learn how to start the initial shape and then form it accordingly

[@xaraxania]

wonderful thanks, ive been wanting to make a hat from scratch for years, i dont have the equipment yet but it helps to know where to start :D

[@Dylfunkle]

Any progress? I'd love to hear about your experience!

[@anrit5972]

Finally I have found a purpose for my alpine dingos ultra fine winter coat, I had thought about spinning but the fibres are really short. I came here because I need a new hat and I thought I would make one. I used to dread the spring because of the insane amount of fine fur floating around the house and car, now I am excited to have the only dingo felt hat in the world.

[@donutpanic]

I look forward to seeing it! Try a small sample square first to see how it felts and reduces in size.

[@anrit5972]

What type of soap do you use? Did I see you use chips of old velvet laundry soap?

[@anrit5972]

@@donutpanic what type of soap do you use? Did I see small chips of velvet laundry soap in your mixing cup? Btw I am really confident the dingo hair will work as it has a tendency to clump together in the air. The fine winter coat is incredible it’s extremely fine and one of the softest things I have ever touched. Dingo’s also don’t produce the oil that dogs do, so they don’t smell like wet dog when wet, the incredible thing is in winter the coat is water tight it’s incredibly dense. 1:11:41

[@donutpanic]

@An Rit I usually use olive oil soap, but I've used all sorts with good results. I use a cheese grater so that it dissolves easily. Dog undercoat usually felts well - especially behind their ears!

[@anrit5972]

Thanks for the reply, the only problem I have is it’s the middle of summer so I have to wait until October November. I know a few Dingo owners that have been collecting fur to try spinning it. I had similar thoughts last year mainly because it must be incredibly warm. But luckily I saw your video because my old Akubra felt hat finally fell to pieces after 30 years and they no longer make the style I had so I thought I would see if I could make one out of a sheet of felt. I had no idea the process to make the felt could be easily achieved. Sewing the sweat band is going to be the biggest hurdle for me. I restored a car 2 years ago with the intention that I would do all the work myself. I completed the body work and painting as well as the mechanical side of things but I have yet to tackle the interior. I bought a sewing machine but I am no bloody good. I think I will be using old fashioned leather worker tools to mark out stitching spacing and hand sew. Thanks again

[@Constitutionalapologist]

I've found that the use of a piece of foam camping may cut into a hand held size strip works wonders. Good for manipulating the fibers a bit faster. Good video. Thank you.

[@HowIsTheFuture]

Thank you so much for taking the time to film, explain and teach this.

[@donutpanic]

Thank you. I hope you make some great hats.

[@JSAnstock]

Absolutely amazing job, both in the felting and the video. I thought shaping my army beret was a pain, probably would have been a lot easier if I had this to refer to (and Tim had invented the internet sooner, inconsiderate I call it). Thank you.

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Jonathan!

[@lifenoobz]

Fantastic I starting making mine out if fur.(turning out well) Thank you for all the advice very informative.

[@andreahemmert5953]

So my husband found your videos first and nagged me into watching. I've never been a hat person, but oh my goodness, I found my next hobby! We're so excited that I went out and bought all the tools we'll need to try making a hat this weekend! Question for you, however: is there any type of soap I shouldn't use? I've seen videos of people using bar soap and liquid soap. Not sure which I should do.

[@donutpanic]

@andreahemmert5953 My reply is a little late! Any soap but I generally use Olive Oil soap. Did you make any hats?

[@andreahemmert5953]

@donutpanic i absolutely failed. This hobby didn't stick 😆

[@evamuhlhause]

Thank you so much for a really useful video, I've been wanting to make felt hats for a while now.

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Eva. Looking forward to some great hats!

[@mr.curious4368]

I found this to be a very informative video. I appreciate the start to finish, real-time nature of it. I've seen a few videos demonstrating slightly different techniques, and I've learned from all of them, but I find yours kind of brings them all together, so to speak. I have a question, though. Where did you get the hat blocks you use in the video? They look like some kind of plastic. Thanks, and keep making videos!

[@donutpanic]

Hi Mr C The hat blocks are vacuum formed from ABS plastic - I make them myself but you can buy them - where in the world do you live? I have also made blocks from rigid blue craft foam - in fact in some ways they are better to work with as I like the way you can get a sharper crease where the crown meets the brim. The blue foam is easy to cut and shape to any size - I intend to make a video on how to make them when I get the time.

[@mr.curious4368]

I live in New Hampshire, on the east coast of the United States. So...if you're vacuum forming them, I would think you must be forming them over something of the correct shape. I think that video would be very interesting to see.

[@donutpanic]

Mr. Curious You are correct that you need a block for each style and size you vac form. In the US you can buy ABS wet felting blocks from www.hatshapers.com

[@mr.curious4368]

Thank you for the info. Keep up the interesting videos. :)

[@darenlindley]

I love the fast motion videos however, this is so helpful to actually see in real-time how much effort you actually put into getting the felt flat and thin. This is a fantastic resource! Thank you so much! Keep making these videos. I love them!

[@nolajeanspiers4668]

Iv been watching you making felt out of alpaca wool I’m very impressed and sir very interested I’m going to watch you finish now wonderful I like it because I use your hands and not machinery cheers nola

[@sarahblackburn398]

I had no idea how to make felt. Amazing!

[@luckymsimang3879]

Awesome you took us through all the steps thank you for sharing

[@donutpanic]

Thanks - I hope you make some great hats!

[@131dyana]

Thank you for your expert eork there. Really interesting.

[@Msmargret1]

Wow, a Master Class in a very cool craft. Thank you!

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Margret!

[@karenstevensboykin3550]

Wow! Lots of work; but well worth it! A Very nice hat... from 🦙alpaca! 🤠

[@tolsen4893]

Wow fantastic, video, really appreciate the effort! Great to see how its done! Isn't youtube great for these things! Your fingers must get quite some work with all that water and soap? Made me want a head massage too though! I'm also intrigued by the image on the mug!!

[@donutpanic]

Thanks for the kind words. Well spotted on the mug! I pinched the idea from an advert for a raddle harness in the 70's!

[@thomastheman7331]

Beautiful work. Thanks for the demo.

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Thomas!

[@ZSchrink]

This looks very cool! I'm hoping to make a hat for an event in a month or so away; wish me luck!

[@donutpanic]

Good luck! I hope it turns out well.

[@alicestanciu5220]

Wow! This is sooo awesome! Thanks for showing us the process, really enjoyed the whole video!

[@mrspleasants8529]

Humorous! No, I have not lost the will to live...but I have learned a new skill. Thanks!

[@mrspleasants8529]

A post-apocalyptic hobby for us up in Scotland....

[@2flipped563]

Very interesting. I really enjoy your video. Good job.

[@wenchefauske6898]

Thank you for a inspiring video. It is possible to do the feltingprosses in stages. Let it test to the next day or everything has to be done at once.

[@donutpanic]

Yes - you can leave it and go back to it at any time.

[@TBizzell68]

I felt that this was an excellent video. Seriously from a pile of fluff to a hat!

[@someguycalledgabe230]

This is fascinating great job I'll have to give this a try one day

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Gabe. Get that hat made!

[@mercedesaquino1628]

Muchas gracias por responder. Es perfecta la traducción. Voy a tratar de encontrar el otro video del que me hablas. En todo caso si no lo ubico te pediré ayuda. Hasta ahora nuna utilicé pelo de alpaca, lo que se comercializa aquí es vellón de lana de oveja, que es más aspera . Debe quedar muy bonito con el material que tu utilizas. Sigue haciendo videos, no entiendo cuando hablas pero si lo que haces. Te agradezco mucho y saludos desde Buenos Aires.

[@donutpanic]

Yo uso alpaca cuando los cultivamos aquí, pero la mayoría de la gente usa lana de oveja. ¡Por supuesto, hay millones de alpacas en Sudamérica! El otro video está aquí: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ennQkmaapb6kiNk

[@saramccracken5342]

Why doesn't it stick to the bamboo blind? Thanks for the detailed explanations!

[@donutpanic]

The gaps in the blind are too large for it to felt to. It will felt to the netting though if you don't move it every so often.

[@antonengstroem1999]

Thanks a lot. These videos helpes a lot for beginners like me

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Anton!

[@ГалинаГалина-л2н]

I am felting from sheep’s wool. Felting slippers, hats, scarves, socks, mittens. I play a lot of different things. I also have workshops on felting. I invite you to my channel kzbin.info/door/X6i-xgHupQXTe9gaEOJXVA?view_as=subscriber. Subscribe to my channel.

[@angelojeda2146]

Excellent!! I'm going to try with my dog hair!!!

[@theouterwall9689]

Question: If i was to use 1/2 lbs of Wool how large of a circle would you recommend? I want to make a western hat with a 6 inch crown and a brim of 5 inches which I will cut down to 4-4 1/4 ish. Any help is well appreciated.

[@donutpanic]

The most I tend to use is 6 oz over a 24" circle, usually a bit less. That is roughly 2 oz per square foot, so 8 oz would require a 27" circle which should get you the size you need. Of course it depends on the shrinkage that you get from your choice of fibre. To make a good hat, when you think you've worked it enough you are probably half way through, so keep going. Make a 4" square sample to see how it felts, finishing by rolling between your hands on all directions. You can find circle area calculators online if you want to use less per sq. Foot. Let me know how it goes!

[@theouterwall9689]

@@donutpanic was going great but I didn't overlap the wool fibers enough when I was laying it down so holes formed. But I've learned and thank you for all you help. I'm gonna give it another shot in two weeks. I will let you know how that one goes and again thank you.

[@donutpanic]

@theouterwall9689 Take plenty of time laying up evenly in thin layers and don't disturb the pile of fibre until it has begun to felt to avoid holes. Good luck with the next one!

[@TheBIoodyFire]

such an amazing work! I'm really impressed and now I wanna try to make one too! can you list everything you used? especially what kind of soap or any soap will work?

[@donutpanic]

Any soap. I use olive oil soap. My other videos will have all the info you need.

[@MaybeAGoodIdea]

Thank you for this video! I'm working on a felt project and seeing I have less experience in the field, it's nice to get a feel of the time the tasks really take. I suppose I'd have one question tho and I'm sorry if you answered and I just didn't realize but when you stop working the flat felt in the first step, how could you describe it? I ask this so that I might not go too far and end up working it too far before trying to shape it. Cheers!

[@donutpanic]

Sévan B Good question! I think it is unlikely you would felt it too much before starting to shape the hat - I see a lot of finished projects that are perhaps really still at the pre-felt stage. In this video I move to the shaping dome at around 37 minutes should you want to see and listen to my comments. I'm still learning so we will have to compare notes!

[@leslie1312]

What an amazing video! I love that you showed from beginning to end, the entire process. I do have 2 questions. What is the radius of the circle you are using for your layout? Second, How do you get your felt so smooth? Is that the difference between using alpaca vs merino? Thank you again sir.

[@donutpanic]

Hi Leslie. Thanks for your comment. The circle is 600 mm. I use quality alpaca fibre from the blanket, which felts well, as does merino. The key is a very even lay up using a measured weight of fibre over the set area - if you go bigger then you need to calculate the extra fibre required. The felt will be very well worked by the time you've worked the wrinkles out so should be thin, tight and pretty smooth.

[@yonatansuari3456]

hi mike! great video. i didn't fully understand why did you put soap water on top of the bubble wrap. can any of you help me? thx

[@donutpanic]

Soapy water on top of the bubble wrap is just so your hands can slide around easily. Soapy water on the fibre helps the felting process.

[@yonatansuari3456]

@@donutpanic Thanks alot!

[@MrRexeasley]

Fantastic!! Thank you for taking the time.

[@donutpanic]

You are welcome. Have a look at my block and trimming videos too.

[@cherieriding2025]

Thankyou. Could you tell me how high the crown is of the first shape you used?

[@mickerdoodle51]

Thank you sir. In my old age, I think I could do this...

[@danielgreen7159]

After seeing all these people that claim to "make or build" hats ,and what they actually do is finish and shape an already made hat ,it's good to see a hat actually being made.

[@donutpanic]

Thanks Daniel. It's a less commercial approach for sure. I like watching milliners like Lil Grizz though too!

[@marinabio2022]

Hii thanks so much for the tutorial it's amazing, I'm Spanish speaker so I can't understand what did you say at the end were you use a spry to make the felt hat hard, please can you write it here?

[@donutpanic]

Hola marina Uso shellac que endurece el fieltro pero lo deja suave. Echa un vistazo a esto. Mantente a salvo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ennQkmaapb6kiNk

[@marinabio2022]

@@donutpanic gracias 😊

[@yole101]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fInMqn2Aj9VrmNU

[@mitchdroese84]

I'm a nuisance beaver trapper in the states. Are you telling me I can turn them into a 100% pure beaver felt hat myself? Wonderful video, and I definitely want to give it a go!

[@donutpanic]

I'm looking forward to seeing your hat!

[@lindavid794]

Thanks for the video! I appreciate your taking time to show the process. I would never be able to do this in one sitting. My hands are a little arthritic and I don’t have your strength or endurance. However I think I could do this in two or three days. My question is are there any tips on keeping the felt piece in good condition between sessions? Thank you.

[@donutpanic]

Thank you for your comments. It won't hurt it leaving it and coming back to it at any stage. You can leave it wet, or let it dry out if leaving it for a long time. Take your time and enjoy the process.

[@lindavid794]

@@donutpanic Thank you!

[@338LapuaMag1]

Love this video! Difficult to hear you, but I guess that will make me listen several times just to be sure!!!

[@TexasBeekeeper]

Do you have any suggestions for where I could order beaver felt from? Also about how much would be required to make one hat?

[@donutpanic]

I can't help on sourcing the beaver - funnily enough a few have been reintroduced here in England recently as they have been extinct here for around 400 years. For the amount, I'm guessing the same 5 to 6 oz as I use for alpaca or wool. I'll catch up on your bee keeping videos!

[@TexasBeekeeper]

@@donutpanic thanks for the quick response. Sounds great. Now to begin my search for some fur. Might start with Alpaca since it's probably easier to get my hands on. Appreciate the videos. Very helpful information. Have a great weekend

[@donutpanic]

@@TexasBeekeeper there should be plenty of alpaca around - if it's anything like here people generally don't do much with it. You need the good stuff from the saddle the same as you'd spin with. Don't let anyone give you 2nd or 3rd quality fibre as a 'favour'! Have fun.

[@TexasBeekeeper]

@@donutpanic Appreciate the tip. I wouldn't have known any better.

[@bobtexan592]

Well done vid ! Now, since my only "hair source" is my 3 Great Pyrenees, I'm of half a mind to make a white hat from that. I have a neighbor that spins the hair to yarn every so often so using their 'shed undercoat' should work. 😄

[@donutpanic]

Thanks. Yes your dog's undercoat will very likely felt. You can try a small sample first. Have fun!

[@moniqueegee4101]

please, J don't understand what you are saying because J am not english.. just tell me what is the liquid you use to stiffen the wool. THANKS

[@donutpanic]

The liquid in this video is soap and water. It is not what makes the felt stiff though - that is done by the agitation of the fibres against and through each other. The soapy water helps to move the fibres and perhaps opens the scales on the fibre. Le liquide dans cette vidéo est du savon et de l'eau. Ce n'est cependant pas ce qui rend le feutre rigide - cela se fait par l'agitation des fibres les unes contre les autres et à travers elles. L'eau savonneuse aide à déplacer les fibres et ouvre peut-être les écailles sur la fibre.

[@lianessyes7238]

Great workshop brother!

[@susandillon6834]

Mike, my hatblock came in, I got a bucket and fedora to start. I have to have table built but I have someone on that. Pretty soon and I'll be in touch for more info.lol

[@donutpanic]

Fantastic! I look forward to it.

[@GonzaloWorl97]

Very instrucitve, thank you! I'm assuming this cannot be done with any kind of 'pre-made' felt, right? (like, for example, with one of those cheap felt sheet you buy at the dollar store)

[@donutpanic]

Thanks for your comment. 'Dollar store' felt sheets are most likely made from man-made fibres which are needle felted into a sheet, so no, they would not work. It shouldn't be hard to locate some suitable sheep or alpaca fibre locally or on the internet. Have fun!

[@BigBrainBrian]

We have over a dozen cats and half of them are gingers and I thought 'how cool would it be to have a cat-fur-felt fedora'. Thanks for the show and tell.

[@donutpanic]

Now that's a hat I want to see!

[@jeremyandrewdavis]

"I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous" 😂 Brilliant joke.

[@altongehringer9858]

I certainly see why it is called felt! Reminds me of the old joke when you rub some ones shirt and ask if it's felt and they say it is now!

[@robertalexander2478]

This is so great!!! Can you add a link to blocks you mentioned you sell?

[@donutpanic]

Hi Robert. I now prefer to use rigid foam blocks as they are easy to make to custom sizes. Have a look at my hat block videos to see how to make them.

[@robertalexander2478]

@@donutpanic Thankyou, I’m having a hard time find them, can you provide a link? Excellent videos, I look forward to making some

[@donutpanic]

@@robertalexander2478 kzbin.info/aero/PL7c_s09QxE65o-bmYG5UsFb21Td2cpRJy

[@entirelyseparate4621]

Could you not make it faster by using a small 'vibrator' [not circular] sanding machine over the top of the bubble wrap with an extra layer of fabric to prevent the bubble wrap from shredding?

[@deadeyeskunk269]

Thank you very much for this video. Im trying to duplicate your equipment so is there a recommendation for a specific bamboo curtain, table or anything else you can say about their sizes? Thank you for sharing all these videos.

[@donutpanic]

You are welcome. The blind is just a simple type such as this amzn.eu/d/cSQjOYK You can use any surface that can cope with the water but I use a solid-surface kitchen worktop material with a drain groove cut around the outside which is 900 mm x 900 mm. Its quite an expensive solution, but one of my other videos shows how to make a cast concrete felting table if you are up for a project!

[@donutpanic]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqq1mWSghMh4oMk

[@Karvoo]

Hello! Hopefully you see this more recent comment. Lovely tutorial and i am excited to get started. But where did you get your draining table?! Did you make it as well? If you did, mind sharing tips so that my fiance can try and make a similar thing for our workshop for me? This would be helpful for all sorts of wet felting i do, not just hats that i will start soon

[@donutpanic]

Hi! Thanks for your comment. I made the table from a solid-surface kitchen worktop material called 'Mistral'. It is 20 mm thick and I have machined the draining groove around it so that it drains from one corner. The top shown in this video also has grooves for fulling the felt - I have since made another with only the outer draining groove as the flat surface is more useful. A local kitchen worktop fabricator is probably your best source of supply, and they may have an offcut or two (it can be joined) that would do the job. Good luck!

[@Karvoo]

@@donutpanic thank you so much!

[@gamapostudio7577]

Great work very good work thanks Gabriel from Argentina

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

wow. magic before our very eyes

[@chasewilliams9673]

Is it possible to use, for example, 100% rabbit fur? Or would you have to use a portion of fur more wooly like sheep or alpaca?

[@donutpanic]

Rabbit is famously used for Akubura hats.

[@jimnoble7992]

I live in Belgium...Lots of sheep here. I am an American Indian transplanted here and I'd love to be able to make myself a Navajo hat. I thingk I can make my own form but even with all the sheep here....I'm having trouble finding the hair...and...by the way... how do you dye it? or does the stuff you get come already died ? Thanks Jim.

[@donutpanic]

Jim Noble Hi Jim. This is natural black alpaca - they come in various shades from white, fawn, brown through to jet black. There are no doubt alpacas somewhere near you. Sheeps wool felts very well, although some breeds better than others. Should be some Merinos round your way I would have thought which lots of felters prefer. You can dye the wool using a dye for protein fibres - check with your supplier that it is suitable. I have had success felting the hat almost to completion and then dyeing, finishing off the final felting once dyed - the boiling with the dye can only help! Let me know how it goes.

[@CinnamonGirl0707]

Very informative video. I am an amateur milliner and have made hats from commercial wool felt hoods. Could I use this method to felt a hood, let it dry then use traditional techniques to make my hat at a later time? Thanks.

[@donutpanic]

Thanks for your comment. I haven't tried your suggestion, but you could felt on to a hood shaped block I suppose. As I am sure you know another method is to make a hood using a flat resist and working from both sides, but I find working from a flat circle gives me a more even thickness, and a more professional looking hat. I have experimented with making a vacuum cone to lay the fibre onto - so far without success. I have a large rigid foam cone made ready for another experiment too - watch this space! Good luck and let me know how you get on.

[@MrKinobr]

Excellent video with lots of information! Congratulations on your work! Still, I am curious about the substance you use to soak the felt when you put it on the block. What do you add to the water to make this substance? Thank you for your video!

[@donutpanic]

Thanks for your comment. It is just soap - I use olive oil soap but any will do.

[@MrKinobr]

@@donutpanic Thank you so much!

[@dianenewby]

Hi Mike, I'm new to this and I am wondering how I get a tool list of supplies that you use? I appreciate your videos and would like to try to learn this craft. Thank you.

[@donutpanic]

m.facebook.com/groups/49779357577/permalink/10158683728697578/

[@donutpanic]

Hi Diane. To make the felt, must haves are a Bamboo window blind (Amazon), bubble wrap (buy or re-purpose), soap (any but I use olive oil soap), 5 or 6 oz. Wool fibre per hat. The tricky bit is the block, and it's nice to have the intermediate shaper. You can make, buy or improvise these, but look at my block videos - I prefer the rigid foam blocks over wooden or ABS blocks.

[@dianenewby]

@@donutpanic thank you kindly. I appreciate you.

[@samuelmuldoon4839]

In North America ( the union of 🇺🇸 🇲🇽 🍁) there is a plant named "Kat Tail". In the language of Mexico, we might say, "existe una palnta del nombre 《kola de gata》. When the seed pods are opened, the fibres inside expand to more than 5 times the volume of the original seed pod. I hope to learn how to make felt from cat tails . Perhaps the name "cat tail" might result in kats afeared. 🙀 . Alternative names for the cay tail plant are "typhus Latifolia" and Bull Rush. The plant has tall stalks which grow in muddy marsh water. The marsh Reed in North America have large, fat, brown seed pods in the month of January. It might be useful felting fiber for hats, felt for quilt blankets, and some other practical applications

[@donutpanic]

That's interesting - I've googled and there are several textile uses for the kat tail fibres, but sadly I don't think it will felt.

[@sumajestadrosas9929]

Disculpe, me podría decir qué líquido uso por favor y algunos detalles de el proceso de forma resumida por favor, no le entendí muy bien. :( muchas gracias.

[@juanospina9064]

How, where and how much can I morder the blocks? thanks

[@anthonyperille1361]

Where can I get all the tools and fibers to start making hats and the costs of everything, thanks

[@donutpanic]

Hi Anthony. Where do you live?

[@Jacob-yg7lz]

I wonder if using a vibrating massage wand would help speed up the felting process.

[@donutpanic]

Some people use a sander to work their felt.