Wet Felting Tutorial: How to Embellish Flat Felt

[@angelataylor4333]

Have studied lots of tutorials before starting my wet felting journey and found your tutorial by far the clearest and most informative. Thank you, can't wait to get started.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much for commenting, that’s great to hear! You might also like my book Wet Felting which is full of information and tips for getting great results, you’ll find it on Amazon. Enjoy your ongoing wet felting journey!

[@hairdresserspa]

Thanks

[@KarenZBug]

Natasha…I loved watching this and being reminded about the steps and dedication to seeing the process through. In addition to your craft and learning about the different embellishment divers you chose, I couldn’t help but notice your table surface and how handy the design is in helping you get that extra inch of wool placed all around. Is it contact paper? A vinyl tablecloth? I’d like something similar for my workspace. Thanks!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Karen, thank you so much for watching and for leaving a comment, it’s lovely to know you enjoyed the video! So my table covering is a heavy waterproof tablecloth that you can buy on the roll, mine came from my local fabric shop. I think it’s just a coincidence that it turned out to be a symmetrical pattern, so a happy accident that it ended up being useful for lining things up! I’ve actually got a new one now and I realise that has a similar small symmetrical pattern too, so it’s obviously what my brain has been drawn to!! Anyway, I’d definitely recommend this sort of covering, I’ve never had trouble with water coming through to the wooden table underneath so it’s been worth it. Hope that helps, Happy Felting to you!

[@KarenZBug]

@ Wonderful! Thanks!

[@KarenBorga]

Thank you. I have fallen into the felting rabbit hole and appreciate your tutorial on embellishing. I've been looking for some new design ideas. ~ Karen

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much for watching and your kind comments Karen (and be warned that the rabbit hole just gets deeper and deeper 🤣)! If you enjoyed the tutorial you might also like my book Wet Felting, which covers all aspects of wet felting and might also give you some different ideas - it’s available on Amazon or in my Folksy shop!😁

[@sarahnichols1656]

So pleased to have your videos! Just what i have been searching youtube for. Hurray! And I shall order your book too. I am off down the rabbit hole :) :)

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting, really pleased you’re enjoying the tutorials! And yes it’s definitely addictive (18 years and counting for me!!)!🤣

[@franceshall3551]

I bought your book after watching this video. Wonderful, thankyou for sharing.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you so much Frances, that’s really great to know, I hope you’re enjoying the book too!

[@vanngiuffre3069]

Excellent video. I'm in the states and just starting with wet felting. It's great to watch different people's instructional videos to see different approaches. I found your presentation thorough and easy to understand follow. I'm adding this to my wet felting reference list.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback and for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it! So glad you’ve found the tutorial useful, hopefully you might enjoy some of my others too to help you with your wet felting journey (be careful, it’s addictive!🤣). Thanks again and Happy Felting!😁

[@Morgan12345ism]

Thanks, I’ve tried needle felting before but not wet. I feel very capable after watching your video to try wet felting. Thanks!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you, yes give it a go, I hope you enjoy it!😁

[@lindalacampagne5436]

While time-consuming this is also very therapeutic!!!! In a fabric arts class - shibori, eco- dye, etc. Adding felting to my repertoire!!!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Linda, thanks so much for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! And including felting in with your other textile arts is a great idea - I always think that the layering up of these different techniques is what really elevates textile art, so good luck with your experiments with it all!

[@helenellice4081]

That was brilliant. I’ve read many articles, have some books and watched lots of videos but I found the way you broke this down (and your beautiful English accent) the best. Looking forward to many more.😉👍

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Helen, thank you so much for your lovely feedback on the tutorial, I’m really glad you enjoyed it (and your comment about my accent made me laugh!). Looking forward to sharing my next video soon. Best wishes, Natasha

[@karellarsen939]

I subscribed and thank you! I have been wanting to learn this! 😊👍❤️

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you for your lovely comments, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it! Ps You might also like my book Wet Felting which has more content like this (you can see a preview on Amazon)! Happy Felting!

[@remi1983]

Thank you, I enjoy felting so much because of your comprehensive guide!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!😁

[@JoTeeLee]

thank you so much for this excellent wet felting video, it is very inspiring and I hope to do some of the wet felting soon.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you for your lovely comments, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it! If you’re interested in learning more about my techniques you might like to know that I had a book published last year which goes into a lot of depth about all aspects of wet felting so you might find it a useful guide. It’s called Wet Felting and you can find it in my online shop or on Amazon. Thanks again and Happy Felting!

[@catrionagillespie2737]

Very comprehensive and easy to follow tutorial

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much Catriona!😁

[@ForestGirlTeresa]

This is so concise and informative. I have just started wet felting and already I can see the things I was doing wrong. I’m ready to try again. Thanks so much!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

You’re welcome, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! You might also be interested in my new book Wet Felting (available on Amazon and signed copies in my UK Folksy shop), it covers all aspects of wet felting in great depth and I think you’d find it really helpful in your wet felting journey!🤞

[@johannahowardpurdy1340]

Just watched this video, and got alot from it - I will be watching more of your videos. I took a couple of felting workshops at least twenty years ago, loved them, but had done only tiny little bits since then. I've been playing with needle felting lately and enjoy it but I find I am being drawn toward swirly embellishments that would probably turn out better with wet felting. I spent the day trying a smaller piece on my own. I had some issues, and this video will go a long way in resolving them. Your knowledgeable and relaxed instruction was perfect, and I, too, found your accent quite lovely.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Johanna, thanks so much for your lovely comments, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the tutorial! I think you’re right that wet felting lends itself a bit more to organic patterns (whereas you can be more precise with needle felting), but then a combination of both techniques can be fabulous too! Keep playing and experimenting and have fun with it! 😁

[@sueowen9247]

Incredibly useful and helpful tutorial. Thanks so much! I am looking forward to the in-person workshop I have booked with you next year. In the meantime I feel equipped to explore some techniques at home

[@sueowen9247]

Oh - and I have bought your book, which is fantastic!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Sue, thank you so much for your lovely comments (and for getting my book!). I’m so pleased to hear that you’re feeling better equipped to delve into the world of wet felting, be warned that it’s addictive though!🤣

[@Daisy-16]

Love your video. Learned so much!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much for your comment, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!😁

[@kellylr01]

Great video!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you for commenting, glad you enjoyed it!😁

[@maryellensiegel8964]

What a wonderful video!! Thank you. I learned so much!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much for your lovely feedback, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the tutorial!😁

[@paulaboudreaux3258]

Thank you!

[@donnabennett9882]

Very helpful. Good starting video. Very complete. My goal is a purse ... but want to know the process first. thank you.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Donna, thanks for your feedback, I’m glad you found the tutorial helpful! If you have a look at my other videos you’ll see I’ve also got a tutorial to make a fringed flap clutch purse, so it wouldn’t take too much to upscale the size of the template to create a larger bag version! You might also like to have a look at my new book Wet Felting which also covers how to make a felt bag on a ball. Hope that helps, Happy Felting!😁

[@jackywest2626]

Hi I love your videos on wet felting I have made a cCushion cover from my flat wet felt fabric

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Jacky, thanks so much for your lovely feedback, I’m so pleased you’re enjoying the tutorials! A cushion is a great idea for embellished felt, I don’t know if you’re on Instagram or Facebook but this week I posted a pic of an embellished (with silk fabric and yarns) cushion cover I’ve just made, so you might find that interesting! I’d love to see a photo of your cushion too! Happy Felting!😁

[@tracietara4918]

This was so helpful, i am about to have a go at my first piece to make a little purse and i wanted to incorporate some random fibers from my mothers woolen sock yarn stash! Thank you!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Tracie, thanks so much for your lovely comments, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the tutorial! Part of the beauty of wet felting projects like this is that you don’t need to use lots of supplies, so even small random bits of yarn and fibre can go a long way, so I hope you enjoy using up some of your stash on it! If you’re making a purse, you might like to have a look at my fringed clutch purse tutorial project too, as that’s a great project for really showing off any yarns that you use. Good luck with it, and happy felting!

[@fyrefly940]

Hi Natasha, the video was brilliant, thanks. I've seen a few on the wet felting technique and yours is by far the best. Very clear instructions, answered all of my questions and I feel ready to give it a try. :)

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Lyn, thanks so much for your lovely feedback, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the tutorial! You might have seen I’ve just published a new tutorial on working with a resist to create a 3D shape, which follows on from this one (and uses very similar materials and techniques), so do give that one a watch too! Thanks so much again!😁

[@debishaw9355]

New sub. Beginner wet felter. You explain everything so well.. can you add decorations after you’ve wet felted one piece and let it dry?

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi, thank you for watching, and for your kind feedback, so glad you enjoyed it! So in terms of adding decoration afterwards, I’m assuming you don’t mean adding more by wet felting (as that won’t really work as the wool fibres will now all be felted together). But you could definitely use other techniques on top, such as needle felting, stitching etc. In fact I always think that it’s the layering of different techniques and materials which makes pieces even more interesting! Ps If you’re new to wet felting you might enjoy my book which covers all aspects of wet felting and materials. It’s called Wet Felting and you’ll find it on Amazon or in my Folksy shop!

[@janesharp8987]

really really good !

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Jane, thanks so much for watching and commenting, I’m pleased you enjoyed it!😁

[@MarnyFischer]

Fab!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you!

[@gillhedley3985]

Excellent tutorial. Very clear. Curious as to what you did with this felt...

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it! Actually I’m not sure I’ve done anything with this piece of felt yet (I’ve got quite a large stash of samples and half-finished things, errr haven’t we all!🤣)! But if I did, I’d probably make one of the felt lavender hearts you can see in the intro. Or it would make a nice little flap purse just by folding one of the edges in and sewing up along them. So many ideas, too little time! Thanks again for your comments!😁

[@KarenZBug]

Wonderfully informative and easy to understand! I like how each step was thoroughly shown and described. Especially important we’re the many hints about knowing what to look for in order to move on to the next stage. Thank you! I know this wasn’t focused on keeping clean edges, but any hints about checking for and managing they?

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you so much for your comments, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the video and found it useful! Yes there are things you can do to create neat edges (a combination of rubbing and stretching, and how you lay out your fibre initially is important too). If you’d like more detail I’m wondering if you might like my book as that goes into lots of explanation about this and all aspects of wet felting (it’s very thorough!), it’s called Wet Felting and is available either in my online Folksy shop or you’ll find it on Amazon! I hope that helps, thanks again!

[@paperie1]

Brilliant tutorial thank you, really learnt so much and the best I've seen, making it easy steps to follow. Wanting to make clothes for an art doll so this will be great. :)

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much, it’s always lovely to know people have enjoyed my tutorials and found them useful. Good luck with your creations (and don’t forget to experiment and have fun, it’s hard for felt to go wrong really - I think that’s partly why I like it so much!🤣)!

[@kb9847]

Thank you! I'm glad KZbin recommended your channel. I really enjoyed it. I also subscribed and look forward to watching more of your videos. :)

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much for your lovely feedback! I’m hoping to post another tutorial soon!🤞

[@andreawager7476]

Wonderful videos ♡

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you so much! I just wish I had time to make more!!🤣

[@sameoldrecord]

Really helpful and informative, thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you 💕

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks for getting in touch Lisa, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!😁

[@cbviau1332]

Going by this video, it looks like I could make my own African (Ankara) fabric. Interesting.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Definitely, you can create all sorts of patterns in wet felting with different yarns and fibres! Enjoy experimenting with it, thanks so much for watching and commenting!😁

[@kathyiles5097]

Brilliant video! I would be interested to know where you source your merino wool? I have not seen the lovely colours you have used.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much for your feedback Kathy, I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed the video! Re the Merino fibre, I’ve built up a lifetime’s stash (haven’t we all!🤣) from all sorts of places, but I have a feeling those colours came from Adelaide Walker in the UK (if not then probably Wingham Wool), both available online. I don’t know if you are aware but I have a new book out (called Wet Felting, you can find it on Amazon and all booksellers) so you might find that a useful resource too!🤞Thanks again and Happy Felting!😁

[@mgilces]

Increíble felicidades thanks.😘🥰

[@feltlikeitbydebs]

Great tutorial loved learning new techniques and loved the colours. Looking forward to more videos. Debs from down under.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thanks so much for your lovely feedback Debs, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it! I’m definitely working on more videos (I just wish I had a bit more time to make them!) but watch this space!😁

[@FranThompson-b6p]

Do you put the wool on the bubble side or the smooth side of the bubble wrap?

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Fran, that’s a great question which is often a bit confusing. I always use the smooth side up, next to the fibre, as I feel that it disrupts the fibres/layout a bit less. But I know lots of felters prefer to use bubble side up as it traps a bit more water next to the fibre and potentially may agitate the fibre more. But honestly I don’t think it makes much difference (try making a sample both ways perhaps and see what you think)!

[@cindyhall4767]

Quick question…if you wanted to make bookmarks, can you cut this type of wet felting with the yarn?

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Cindy, great question! If your yarns and embellishments are all well-felted then they should stay in place without problem when you cut the felt. The only slight issue is that cutting the felt often slightly opens up the edge, so it expands a bit. So if you have a big pile of fibre and embellishments it might release them a bit at the cut edge, creating a bit of a frayed effect. So to counter that you might want to limit the amount of embellishment s, and make sure the piece is very well-felted overall. And if you’re not happy once you’ve made a cut edge you can always machine or hand sew around the edges of each bookmark just to keep everything together/neater. I hope that helps, enjoy creating your new project!

[@jessicadowdy7225]

This was extremely informative. Thank you. I am very new to felting/wet felting. In what way would you use the created fabric?

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Jessica, thanks so much for your comments, I’m so glad you enjoyed the tutorial! You might not have noticed but at the beginning of the video I have a few finished wet felted items on my work table, including some scented lavender hearts that I’d sewn together. So that’s what I made from the piece of felt that I made in the tutorial. The other thing you could easily make from a rectangle of felt like that is a small purse with a flap just by folding over one of the short edges and sewing up each side. But of course part of the beauty of wet felting is that you can also create items like purses without any sewing, using a resist form to go inside the felt to create felted side seams (how brilliant is that?!). You might like to look at my other videos on creating a mobile phone case and clutch purse to show you how to make those. You might also like to know I’ve got a book coming out in April 2022 which covers pretty much every aspect of wet felting, you can sign up for news here! eepurl.com/cQdChz Thanks so much for your interest!

[@lindajackson9664]

Wow great tutorial thank you so much, best I’ve seen it’s really clear and understandable step by step information and detail, as a complete beginner I really feel well equipped to give it a go. I have 2 questions however, could I use a wooden rolling pin or does it need to be the foam sort you are using. I really fancy making broaches, would I cut them into pieces when the felt is wet or dry please? Thanks again for such a brilliant tutorial Linda 😀

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Linda, thanks so much for your lovely comments, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the tutorial! You’ve asked two really good questions there, so here are a few thoughts! Re the roller, in a nutshell yes you can! Generally a softer roller is used during the earlier felting stage when you’re treating the fibre gently, to encourage the fibres to bond, and you might use a harder roller like a rolling pin during the later fulling stage when you’re being a bit rougher with the felt and are trying to firm it up and shrink it. But using a hard roller at the start isn’t wrong and isn’t going to make a drastic difference. Plus if you’re going to stick with using bubble wrap to sandwich everything, that will actually give a bit of padding around the rolling pin anyway (not dissimilar to the foam roller). So go ahead and use what you’ve got is what I’d always say, it will work just as well and won’t affect the process. Re cutting out your brooch shapes, you could do either. But the advantage of cutting your shapes when they’re still wet means you have a chance to give the cut edges a bit of a rub (with soapy fingers) to make them look a bit nicer and more organic. I never like the look of finished dry cut felt as much as organic edges so I’d definitely be inclined to do it that way. You could always try both ways and see what you think (but I think you’ll agree with me!). You might like to know that I’ve got a wet felting book coming out in April which addresses all these sorts of questions, watch this space!🤞 Thanks again for your comments!😁

[@lindajackson9664]

That’s great thank you answered my question perfectly, will definitely be looking out for you’re book in July 😊

[@lindajackson9664]

Sorry I meant to put April!

[@Ameylynn]

I have a really dumb question... do you put the bubbles from the wrap facing the fibers or outward to your hands when you RUB? I am not able to see right... thanks in advance and for your tutorials... ♥️♥️♥️

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hiya, thanks for your question! And it’s not dumb at all, as different felters prefer different sides facing the felt! So there’s no real right or wrong way. I prefer to always have the non-bubble side next to the felt, because I feel that it distorts the fibres less by having a smooth surface next to them. But some felters prefer the bubbles next to the felt, I think the theory is that the bubbles can trap more water to help keep the felt wet. So you might like to practice both ways to see which you like best, though my preference would be for the smooth side next to the felt. I hope that helps, thanks so much for getting in touch!😁

[@Ameylynn]

@@NatashaSmartTextiles thank you so much for your explanation! I appreciate your time 😘

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

@@Ameylynn You’re very welcome, thanks again for your lovely comments!😁

[@danibullard2154]

Love this! You’re so kind for sharing your process!! I really appreciate the clear instructions. What can be done with the felt scraps left over from projects I wonder?? - I’m just getting started :D Thank you so much!!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Dani, Thanks so much for your lovely feedback, I’m so glad you enjoyed the tutorial! It’s interesting you mention the scraps, because I don’t throw ANY away, so I’ve got lots of ideas for what you can do with them. So keep hold of them as I think there’s another tutorial in the making there!🤣

[@danibullard2154]

@@NatashaSmartTextiles Yay! I’m so looking forward to it :} I do many crafts and keep all my scraps. I think it’s part of the makers blessing to be able to make something joyful from remnants. I’ll keep an eye out. Now that I’m subscribed it’ll be easy to tag along!! Keep up the great work!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

@@danibullard2154 Thanks so much! I’m really enjoying coming up with new tutorials (I just wish I had more time to make them) so watch this space!😁

[@arjunlawson564]

I guess Im asking randomly but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb forgot my password. I would love any help you can offer me.

[@kyngroman4238]

@Arjun Lawson Instablaster =)

[@Mrsrainbowbrite]

Have u ever used Alpaca roving?

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hiya, yes I have used alpaca wool roving/tops and batt fibre. It’s a bit different to sheep’s wool but it will still felt, so you could use it in just the same way to make embellished felt! That might be a good idea for a future tutorial!!🤣

[@annebayes6050]

good clear tutorial. One questions please, where can you buy the circular wooden rubbing block

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Anne, thanks so much for your feedback, I’m really pleased you enjoyed the tutorial! I’m a fairly recent (over the last couple of years) convert to the wooden rubbing took, before that I just used to use a kitchen cloth. Which is fine, but I do think the rubbing tool gives you more rubbing power for less physical effort, so that’s why I definitely recommend them! They’re not cheap but they’re beautiful handmade tools and will last a lifetime. If you’re in the US, you can get them directly from www.heartfeltsilks.com (they’re called a palm washboard, and I use the jumbo size). If you’re in the UK, they’re stocked by www.adelaidewalker.co.uk. Happy Felting!😁

[@nogysbaby]

Does the bubbles face in or out?

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Karen, thanks so much for your question! I tend to always use bubbles side out, so I’m putting the fibre against the smooth side, as I think this disrupts it less at the start (when you obviously don’t want the design to move around too much). But some felters prefer laying onto the bubbles side as they feel that helps retain water better next to the fibre and the bubbles will help more when it comes to agitating the fibre. Honestly I’m not sure it makes much difference, so there’s no right or wrong way on this. Maybe try both and see which you prefer! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Happy Felting!😁

[@gaiaspirit5313]

Hello Natasha, are you going to put out anymore Videos ? :)

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Gaia, thank you so much for asking! Yes I do plan to, I’ve just been caught up with so many other things on my ‘to do’ list!🤦‍♀️ But when I get a chance, is there anything you’d particularly like to learn about in the felting world?😁

[@jillholmes504]

Can you needle felt on top of this ?

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi Jill, yes totally, you could apply any other textile techniques (hand or machine sewing, needle felting etc). The more bling the merrier really I think, enjoy being creative with it!😁

[@victoriadavis4339]

Beautiful color combination Great instructions HOWEVER, you could speed up all of the rolling and throwing. Way too much chatter

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Thank you for watching, I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Felting!

[@janellej1]

Your video was very good but I sort of felt the title was misleading. I was expecting to learn how to add embellishments TO felt. A piece already felted, not how to felt a piece.

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Hi, thanks for watching even though it wasn’t quite what you were expecting! The title does have ‘Wet Felting Tutorial’ at the start which gives a bit more of a clue, but I can see it’s easy to miss. It’s interesting though that you’d like to see something about embellishing already-made felt, I’ve got some projects in mind for that which I could share in future. And if you’ve got ideas for the types of techniques or projects you’d like to see then let me know!😁

[@janellej1]

@NatashaSmartTextiles thanks for replying. I DO have some ideas! Such as best ways to stitch on beads, best thread to use and tips for adding machine stitching, also tips for mounting and framing!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

@@janellej1 Thank you for your thoughts! I’ve been working on my new book so that’s been taking up all my time recently but I’ve got ideas for new KZbin tutorials so I’m hoping to get back to sharing more of that soon!🤞

[@DinksDinersArtbox]

please fix your audio volume, I have everything on my end as loud as it will go and I can Barely hear you, and that is with my hearing aids on!

[@NatashaSmartTextiles]

Sorry you’ve had trouble with the volume, this was one of my first videos so I didn’t even have a microphone then! But I hope you’ll be pleased to hear I use a microphone for the later and more recent videos, so I hope you’ll give me another try! Thanks for watching and getting in touch!