How to Wet Felt - a Step by Step Guide

Are you new to feltmaking and looking for a comprehensive step by step wet felting tutorial to help you achieve successful results, right from the start? If so this video about flat felting may be the one for you. Follow along with me as I guide you through the whole process from start to finish and be amazed at the beautiful felt you will be able to create! This is not a short video because I wanted to share each stage with you and make a demonstration piece from start to finish. I discuss the materials I use, chat about choosing the embellishing fibres, soap, sprinkler, bubble wrap, laying out the wool, adding the embellishing fibres, starting to felt, fulling (the shrinking process) and finishing the felt. For your reference I used just under 40g (1.4oz) of merino and a small handful of embellishing fibres for my demonstration piece.
PS If you would like to create felt to eco print rather than use coloured wool and embellishing fibres I recommend natural undyed merino and cellulose embellishments (not silk).
00:01 Introduction from Nicola
00:20 Selecting materials
02:02 Soap and making liquid soap
05:40 Towels
06:03 Bubble wrap and alternatives
09:07 Laying out layer one of wool - bubbles up
11:34 Wet
13:03 Net
13:10 Soap
14:44Sweeping edges in
15:47 Laying out second layer of wool at right angles to first
16:42 Wet, net, soap, sweep edges in
22:37 Start the rubbing process
25:12 Lift bubble wrap, turn over, repeat
28:47 Rotate and repeat
35:06 Rub directly on felt
37:19 Turn over and continue felting
39:30 Roll up in bubble wrap then in towel
41:30 30 rolls then open. Continue with this process then rotate
46:08 Stretch the felt
48:46 Roll felt on itself
50:10 Tip for working the edges to make them more even
52:04 Final rolls
53:49 Assess and wash felt, wash table
55:50 Roll the rinsed out felt in a towel and stretch. Iron on the hottest setting to finish it!
My aim is to cultivate a sustainable, nature focused practice helping creatives and slow living enthusiasts feel connected, understood and supported. Since 2029 I've had multiple wet felting and eco printing workshop success stories in Ireland, North America, Australia and mainland Europe.
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[@michellerampant3736]

Thanks Nicola. That was a great demonstration with some very helpful tips 😀

[@clasheen]

You're very welcome Michelle, I'm glad that you found it helpful!

[@sheriesanford260]

This is the best teaching felt video I have seen. Thank you so much.. Love how you explain why you are doing each step..

[@clasheen]

You are very welcome!! And thank you for the lovely compliment!

[@spatz5145]

I really appreciate the pleasant manner in which you are teaching and the detailed demonstration for the beginner wet felter. Thank you!

[@clasheen]

I'm glad that you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. Happy felting!

[@katiebarr3120]

Best teacher....EVER!!

[@clasheen]

Best comment....EVER!!! Thanks Katie.

[@francesbrown5061]

Thanks for your clear and concise demonstrations

[@clasheen]

You are so welcome!

[@georginamacrae2808]

Hi Nicola. Thank you for sharing your craft. I learned a lot . I like your straight forward real time presentation

[@clasheen]

Thanks Georgina. I'm delighted you learned a lot!

[@chachalulu]

Very informative and enjoyable.

[@clasheen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@theartkit]

How fun! We love wet felting!

[@clasheen]

Me too!!

[@elizdonovan5650]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you for uploading. ☘️🌝🌲

[@patriciaking8876]

Fantastic and generous of you Nicola, thank you!

[@clasheen]

You’re very welcome Particia!

[@jeaniet9949]

Oh and thanks for the lovely tutorial!!!

[@clasheen]

You’re very welcome!

[@marycarrion6526]

I learned more from this video than I have in multiple classes. Thank you so much.

[@susankiewra250]

Really a pleasure to watch - very clear explanations and demonstration! Thanks!

[@clasheen]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for the lovely feedback!

[@paulalewis1769]

Wonderful, thank you!

[@clasheen]

You’re so welcome Paula!

[@denise1008]

You are such an incredibly generous loving person. Thanks!

[@clasheen]

You are so welcome Denise!

[@marieeaton-smith5168]

Beautiful, thank you. Some very useful tips that will be very useful to help me on my journey.

[@clasheen]

You're very welcome Marie, have fun!

[@debbielee2726]

Thank you !! This was wonderful!!

[@clasheen]

You're so welcome Debbie!

[@chrisdefeo3754]

Thank you so much. That was wonderful!

[@clasheen]

You are so welcome! I hope that you found it helpful.

[@emmyc9333]

what a great teaching video! Thanks so much Nicola. I've been wanting to wet felt for a while now, and now I know how to start. Thanks again!

[@clasheen]

You are so welcome Wendy. Have fun and enjoy the process!!!

[@jacquistock9100]

Loved this Nicola, thank you so much for all your hard work and attention to detail! I will be following you a lot more!!

[@clasheen]

You're so welcome Jacqui!

[@suepaquin3038]

Love your videos. Your explanations are spot on! Thank you for sharing, you are indeed very talented. Please keep making more!

[@clasheen]

Thank you so much! And I will!

[@deborahannable5439]

Great tutorial Nicola. Thank you. Ive done wet felting before, but love your approach.

[@clasheen]

Thanks Deborah, I'm delighted that you enjoyed the video!

[@lindalienhard7738]

Nicola, thank you so much for this wonderful video. Your detailed information at the start, as well as you work with the felt is so very much appreciated! Definitely will try this very soon, with confidence, after watching you work! 😊💗

[@clasheen]

Great to hear Linda. Feel free to share pictures of your creations with me when you are done :)

[@lisasiedenstrang5208]

Thank you!!! Very excellent video!! I feel as if i could try it now myself!!!

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much Lisa, you can do it!

[@renatekonrad5164]

Thank you! This is the best Video to learn felting!

[@clasheen]

You're so welcome. And thanks for the lovely compliment!

[@elizabethrichardson2970]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I have been felting for several years and it was wonderful to learn new techniques from a true artist!

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment Elizabeth, I'm delighted that you enjoyed the video!

[@sheilanorthen6151]

Oh Nicola ! This is so lovely. I haven't really done alot of felting since the class I took with you here in Canada...so many years ago now. But this video is so clear and concise I feel the need to felt again...and of course ecoprint on it afterwards😁 Thank you for sharing your excellent techniques.💕

[@clasheen]

Hi Sheila, I'm delighted that this video has inspired you to turn your hand to felting again!!! Of course you will love it when you eco print it afterwards. Have fun!

[@kathyguest9633]

Excellent video. Thank you so much. I look forward to trying your method. 👏👏👏

[@clasheen]

Glad it was helpful. Best of luck with your own creations!

[@annietwemlow9967]

So exciting. I’m going to try this very soon.

[@clasheen]

Have fun!

[@aok2727]

You have a lovely presentation style. I can not wait to try a little felting

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much!

[@annefagrew5807]

Fascinating, now to go & try for myself !!

[@clasheen]

Oh I am excited for you!! Best of luck

[@oldladyworkouts]

Thank you! as a beginner I really learned a lot!

[@clasheen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@katedolkellis5729]

Thanks. Now I have several ideas of things to try. :-)

[@clasheen]

You're very welcome Kate, have fun!

[@fionahaigh708]

Very informative video thank you, now I am excited about giving wet felting a try.

[@clasheen]

Yay, best of luck with your felting journey!

[@millyreynolds1701]

Thank you 😊so helpful

[@clasheen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JanButterflyCons]

Thankyou so much! I have wondered for a long time exactly how people do it!

[@clasheen]

Happy to help!

[@triciaslater4783]

Excellent video for beginners Nicola!

[@clasheen]

Thanks Tricia!

[@Laurie_in_Maine]

Having only tried this a couple of times - quite a while ago - excellent refresher (and probably a BETTER tutorial than we latched onto before!) I want to make Greenhouse prayer-type Flags with surface embellishments. This feels like a good place to begin with base layers... ♥

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much for your compliment about the clarity of the video. You will have such fun making your prayer type flags. Good luck!

[@rcl-crafter8]

So happy I found you!!! You are a fantastic teacher!! I'm so excited about wool and just learning. I'm a fan! Thanks for all you are sharing.

[@clasheen]

You are so welcome! And thank you for the lovely compliments. You are more than welcome to join my public Facebook group, it's a lovely, supportive community of fellow eco printers and felters - facebook.com/groups/nicolabrown

[@rcl-crafter8]

@@clasheen Thank you for the offer. I might do that but I'm not on Facebook yet. But it sounds very fun. Good reason to start!

[@MsSamareh]

Just what I was looking for!

[@clasheen]

I'm glad that you found it helpful. Have fun!

[@MsSamareh]

@@clasheen you seriously did an amazing job. I love that it's not sped up, I can see it happen in real time. It's like magic!

[@davidosullivan3432]

bubble wrap is recyclable now so don't sweat it... enjoying this very much thanks for sharing

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much for the feedback, re the bubble wrap and the fact that you are enjoying the video!

[@florenceobrien2822]

Amazing enjoyed the video

[@clasheen]

Glad you enjoyed Florence. Thanks!

[@denniehoffman8718]

Wonderful instructions, can’t wait to try, can you tell me where to buy the supplies, such as the nettin and type of soap used?

[@mayamachine]

wliwni wligo laloka, n'wadowawa ni. thank you beautiful work, I wanted to know this.

[@clasheen]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad that you found it helpful!

[@lauramackellar9571]

Thank you. I’ve been felting for a while but always ended up with holes- your fibre placement will help me eliminate that

[@clasheen]

Great to hear Laura!

[@Gerttrudis]

Impresionante ¡ enhorabuena 👏 👍

[@clasheen]

Thank you!

[@jennycapra9342]

Thank you Nicola BRILLIANT video can’t wait to try it when are you coming to Australia.?

[@clasheen]

Ha Jenny, I was teaching in Australia last September as part of the wonderful Geelong Tetxile and Fibre Forum! My class sold out in 5 minutes though and unfortunately I didn't have time to teach anywhere else that trip. I'll definitely be back again although not during 2024 as there is a lot happening at home.

[@lauremeaney7883]

thank you! again, really enjoyed that! I'd have loved to see the finished, dried and ironed piece at the end too - might you add a picture of it somewhere?

[@clasheen]

Hi Laure, I'm so glad you enjoyed! Have a look at my Instagram to see the finished product - instagram.com/nicolabrownclasheen/

[@lisajarvis3820]

New subscriber!❤

[@clasheen]

Yay! Thank you!

[@gerriwohltmann339]

Fabulous explanation of this process. Am a beginner and my two granddaughters want to felt with me, as they want to learn as well. Your thorough explanation will definitely help. Wish me luck and patience. The girls are 8-1/2 and nearly 12.

[@clasheen]

You are so welcome. And I am wishing you the absolute best of luck with your granddaughters, I am sure they will love it!

[@yvonneventurelli2676]

grazie x insegnare cosi bene..x la sua disponibilita grazie❤❤❤❤❤

[@clasheen]

You are so welcome!

[@rosamondjourdan1487]

I am a new felter and found this video so helpful. I am yet to try my first piece. I have done some needle felting using carded wool. I am not sure if I can use carded wool with wet felting. What do you think? I have a few pieces of wool rovings and am now sourcing the mulberry silk etc. Thankyou so much for sharing your expertise. So appreciated.

[@silvanabenacchio6179]

Thank you for your generosity in sharing this technique Nicola. A very easy, clear step by step demonstration. AS always you are clear and concise in your speech. I tried wet felting once some years ago however it was a far messier and wetter process than what you shared. 😂The tips regarding straightening edges is very helpful as my previous and only creation had very uneven wavey edges. I am encouraged to try again after seeing this video. 💖

[@clasheen]

You are so welcome! And I am delighted you found it clear and concise. I am looking forward to seeing how you get on when you try again!

[@arunitadatta]

Thank you Nicola. I had never known about felt making and got introduced to this only during eco printing exposure. I tried to do one with a piece of an old pure wool shawl but the work was not so good as expected. This video is so clear . I have to source wool roving now. I have some eri silk rovings which look like wool but is actually eri silk. Hoping to try this in the near future ❤️

[@clasheen]

Hi Arunita, felt and eco print are a match made in heaven, each one compliment the other perfectly!!! Your eri silk will be lovely as an embellishment for your wool roving BUT once it is printed you will not see it any more. You will feel it though!

[@arunitadatta]

@@clasheen Looking forward to this now

[@annesmith1448]

I've only wet felted once, but I now see that I used way too much water! I also understand the embellishment process. Thank you for your time and expertise. I can't wait to try it again. Regards, Anne Smith from Ann Arbor, Michigan USA

[@clasheen]

I'm delighted this video helped you Anne. If you would like to share you creations, please do so in my public FB group here - facebook.com/groups/nicolabrown Greetings from Clasheen, Ireland!

[@seniorpancho]

amazing teacher.

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment! If you have enjoyed this and are on Facebook you might like to join my public group to meet other like minded peers and get inspired. facebook.com/groups/nicolabrown

[@seniorpancho]

@@clasheen love too

[@angryoldman9140]

Hi Nicola. I’ve been needle felting a bit over the past year. But, I’m not as into it as I thought I would be. I always wanted to try wet Felting, as I like things with practical uses. With wet Felting, I can create items with a real use. Using your video, i made my first wet felt with green roving, and embellished it with some orange roving and gold Angelina fibers. I wasn’t sure how those would felt into it, but most of them felted quite well, although there are a few stray pieces sticking out. I may not use those again. I have finally broken my wet Felting ice. I would really like to create many things wet Felting. Now with your videos I can go confidently into it! Many thanks, Nicola. From Canada.

[@clasheen]

You’re so welcome. Thanks for your lovely comment and feedback. Wet felting is a wonderful technique so I’m really glad that you have started and intend to continue!

[@catherineniessink4881]

Nicola - It is so much fun to watch a master - I loved this, your explanations are so clear and concise - and encouraging

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment Catherine. How I wish that we could all felt together again in person some day soon! X

[@sparklinglightcreationstudio]

Thank you so much! I have a question... what type of material is the mesh netting?

[@carolinaportela5378]

Thank you for the help! The video is very good. One question, does the water necessarily need to be warm? Can it be room temperature? If not, do you keep reheating the water while you do the felting process?

[@candacehines7563]

Hi, Nicola. Your videos are always so thorough. Thank you. Question? How do you felt using locks so they maintain their curliness and dont disappear into the fabric?

[@clasheen]

If I felt with locks I lift up the tips periodically during the felting process so that they don’t mesh in with the rest of the piece

[@GHMHomestead]

Is a particular soap better than another? Love this video!!!!

[@clasheen]

Yes, I love to use a gentle olive oil soap or something similar without artificial colour or scents. Most natural hand made soaps that you can buy at craft fairs will work perfectly and you can also buy the olive oil soap in health food shops.

[@greenknitter]

Fantastic tutorial, thank you so much Nicola. Very clear and precise and I love your attention to detail. I'm a complete beginner, so if I wanted to make a scarf would I want to continue until the fabric has no give at all like yours? and would I felt it in pieces as it's much longer to felt and roll, or do it all the same time? thank you.

[@clasheen]

Many apologies for my slow reply. Yes, keep felting until the fabric has no stretch like mine and lay it out all in one long length. Have fun!

[@greenknitter]

@@clasheenGreat, thank you!

[@meiqinghe]

I would like felt a piano string cover. 63inchx6ft9inch. Do you recommend to felt small sections and then combine them later?what kind of soap do you use? What is the ratio of soapy water?

[@kateellis4847]

Very wonderful and inspirational tutorial! I have one question - what is the net fabric called, and where might we find it?

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much Kate, I'm delighted that you enjoyed the video! The net fabric that I used was a piece from an old net curtain but you can use any slippery net curtain material or medium to heavy weight mosquito netting. I'm not sure where you live but often thrift stores have really cheap net curtains for sale and they usually work wonderfully!

[@mykawilcox4382]

This was a great video! Do you have any videos about different edges.... like ruffles?

[@clasheen]

Thanks Myka, I”m glad that you enjoyed the video! I do share how to felt ruffles in my membership club but haven’t uploaded a video here yet sharing the technique. Maybe I will in the future though!

[@mykawilcox4382]

@@clasheen thank you!

[@clasheen]

You’re welcome!

[@tfantasia]

Hi, I’ve never done wet felling before but I’m very interested in starting thanks to this video! I’m wondering what kind of soap is the big block of soup-does it matter what kind of soap I use? (Sorry if you r already explained-I haven’t heard it if you have). Also can I use a block of soap INSTEAD of the soap/water mixture or do I need to use both? Thank you!

[@clasheen]

Hi Taffy, I like to use large bars of Marseilles olive oil soap, it's gentle on the wool and also on my hands! If you use a felting net (piece of old net curtain or mosquito net) it's easy to rub the bar on top of the net and add it that way, alternatively here's a video sharing how to make a solid bar into a solution. Have fun! kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3enqKRurtV_e9k

[@mariaapplewhite2292]

I would like to make my felting a bit thick so I can cut it and make coasters. Should I do extra layers of shingles? or pull less vigorously? (Great video - but am going to try to translate it to writing. Fingers crossed.

[@clasheen]

Hi Maria, just add one or two more layers of wool and you will have thick felt by the end! The quality of this flat felt is already good for coasters because the fibres are very well integrated, it’s not thick though,

[@ChucklePottery]

how do I wash my felt in hot water? spray hot water on it or submerge ?

[@patriciaking8876]

Nicola : you mentioned that you sometimes cut out pieces of pre-felt and add to another project. Would you do that at the early stage, like the stage you added the orange and white on this project? Or did you mean you’d stitch them in?

[@clasheen]

Great question Patricia! If I was working with pre-felt I would add it in at the embellishing stage as you suspected and that way it will totally integrate with the rest of the fibre. Because it has already felted a bit the edges stay crisper than if I was just to lay out the same shape in loose fibre. It would also be possible to add cut shapes slightly later in the process, stitch them in carefully and then continue to felt but at the same time as the embellishing fibres is much easier as a novice

[@peeriepoppels1784]

One more question if you don't mind. How do you know if your felt is felted enough? Thanks alot for your help!

[@clasheen]

No problem Peerie, ask away! Realistically I consider my felt finished when there is no more stretch to it and therefore it won't shrink more. Sometimes though (for a felt picture for example) you might be happy with it a little less felted but for wearable and functional it's it's important to keep going until it won't felt any more.

[@peeriepoppels1784]

@@clasheen thanks a lot ! Im indeed trying to make some felt pictures now so that was exactly the reply i needed. I was doing the pinching test as i read somewhere and it wasnt 100% ok but i suppose for a picture it is strong enough. Thanks so much for your time. It is very much appreciated!

[@clasheen]

@@peeriepoppels1784 Personally I never use the pinch test, I find it too subjective. I suspect that you need to felt your piece MORE than you imagine before washing the soap out! As a novice it's always tempting to stop too soon so I'd suggest a little longer than you THINK that you need. Good luck!

[@user-je7pp2wg3m]

It blew my mind that you wetted the and pressed before you laid the second layer. That sounds like a better method than what I have been doing

[@clasheen]

It wasn’t how I was taught at first but once I was shown it myself and discovered the benefits I wondered why everyone didn’t wet between each layer! Good luck trying it out, I think that you will love the results.

[@PIXIBOND]

I’m trying this today along side you via this video 🎉 but what type of netting does one need to use? Anyone know the answer? Thank you @clasheen

[@clasheen]

You can use any sort of netting but I find that old net curtains or mosquito netting work best. The wool isn't so likely to stick to those fabrics as it is to stick to tulle

[@anniehind]

Thanks for the tutorial Nicola. But my felt isn't shrinking - what have I done wrong?!

[@clasheen]

Hi Annie, what sort of wool are you using? How large is your sample piece? Making sure to start working the fibre very gently and taking your time really helps the felt come together more quickly. I suspect that you just need to work it some more.

[@anniehind]

@@clasheen thanks. Don't know what type of wool - I got it for spinning. It's currently about 30x60cm. Just trying to make a pair of felt insoles

[@jeaniet9949]

You mention in another video, I'm not sure which, about short fibre merino - I've seen this used by another felter in Australia, but cannot find this here (UK) Where do you buy this from?

[@clasheen]

I recommend that you order it from Wollknoll in Germany Jeanie, the name is Kap or Cap merino. It’s beautiful quality and even with Brexit should be good value for you. www.wollknoll.eu/shop/pure-wool/colored-wool-in-fleece/cap-merino/

[@jeaniet9949]

@@clasheen Oh Thank you I will check it out!

[@clasheen]

@@jeaniet9949 You're very welcome

[@peeriepoppels1784]

Hi! Is one allowed to take a break during the felting or even leave it to rest overnight? Thanks!

[@clasheen]

This is a really excellent question Peerie, thanks for asking. Felt actually comes together faster after a break so no worries if you need to leave it for several hours! The longest I've left a piece for was SIX MONTHS (you've read correctly!) and it was absolutely perfect once I continued the process. It had discoloured and looked brown but once I added fresh water and soap that disappeared. I recommend adding a towel on top of the top layer of bubble wrap if you are leaving your piece overnight and then just checking things once you start again to see if you might need to add a little soap or water. This is usually only necessary if you are in a very hot climate where the fibre might have dried a bit overnight. Good luck!

[@peeriepoppels1784]

@@clasheen thank you so much fpr your reply. Your video is so clear . I have recently started felting after buying two books from moy mackay but seeing things makes everything so much clearer. Thanks again and have a great day!

[@clasheen]

@@peeriepoppels1784 You're very welcome and have a good day too! PS Have you checked out my community tab today? I've just posted about an upcoming free 3 day bootcamp!

[@clasheen]

@@peeriepoppels1784 You're welcome!

[@user-je7pp2wg3m]

My fiber gets caught in my net. I am using something similar to tulle

[@clasheen]

Yes, I find that fibre does get caught badly in tulle so that is why I recommend something heavier and more slippery! Old net curtain material or mosquito netting usually works very well.

[@user-je7pp2wg3m]

@@clasheen thanks

[@apple6ification]

I'm confused between roving, batting and wool...

[@clasheen]

Hi Donna, Roving and batts are BOTH wool, the difference is in the preparation and how you use them. Here’s a link to a short video that I hope you find helpful! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaqXhnx-iL6Joqs

[@apple6ification]

@@clasheen Thankyou so much Nicola! I am loving all your content!

[@Monheganer]

Wonderful, thank you!

[@clasheen]

Thanks so much!