Thread: Felting Wool

I just bought a man's wool suit jacket at a thrift store. How do I felt it in my washing machine? Do I cut it up first or put the whole jacket in? Thanks

You can do it either way. If you cut it up do overcast the edges to stop the raveling. If you toss it in prior to cutting it will look like a mess when you pull it out , but your going to cut it up any way so ... no big deal. If its a high end suit there could be some underfacing material that might be a bit of a mess.
To felt it .. toss in hot water and agitate. The more you agitate the more it will felt.

I take the jackets apart making sure to remove the interfacing.
I then just throw the pieces in a hot water wash with a small amont of
soap. Then into a hot dryer.

Don't do anything to the edges. You want to make sure the
fabric is free to shrink as much as it wants. That is the reason
for taking the garments apart before the washing/felting process.

Originally Posted by jackiemc

I just bought a man's wool suit jacket at a thrift store. How do I felt it in my washing machine? Do I cut it up first or put the whole jacket in? Thanks

I have a couple of questions. What do you use felted wool for? What exactly does felting do to the wool?

Before you wash and dry it, take the lining out, leave everything else in 1 piece, cut it up after it is washed and dried, otherwise you will have small pieces of wadded up wool I like washing in 1 piece but take the lining out because it will fade and or bleed in hot water and you want to wash and dry the wool on the hottest setting possible for both washing and drying.
Have fun with it, it gets addicting!!!!!!!!!

Hi JustJeanne, I want to make a quilt with the wool, not a very big one. I bought felted wool at a quilt show. I paid $12.00 for a half a yard. I splurged. I would never pay that amount for fabric. It was very soft wool. So I found out on various websites that wool needs to be felted. The felted wool is very soft. I got 2 plaids that go together and the jacket I bought will go with what I bought. I want to buy wool clothing a little bit at a time to do the quilt. I know have to find out what kind of batting you use and what kind of backing. On with the search. I also thought I would make a wall hanging with it but found you can applique it on cotton. Then you use a blanket stitch. Then a backing and I would use muslin. As you can see I don't rush into things. I am working on my first rag quilt. It has taken me months. jackiemc

Originally Posted by ragquilter

I have a couple of questions. What do you use felted wool for? What exactly does felting do to the wool?

I use felted wool for applique` projects. I especially like to make Christmas ornaments with it, or table runners or table mats. Some people make entire quilts out of it, but they can be very heavy, and it's expensive to buy all the wool. Some people over-dye wool and get wonderful colors. The felting process tightens up the fibers of the wool, making it thicker and denser. The felt can be cut without having to finish the edges since it doesn't fray. I think it's lots of fun to work with, and there are tons of patterns to make with it.

When I was in Baveria I saw some jackets that I thought were made from felted wool. They were very thick and extremely warm. Seemed to be adequate for the Apline weather.

I have some wool yardage that has been hanging around for years. I would like to make a patchwork quilt with it. How do I prepare it?

Other than purses and quilts, what are you making... so you have any hottos to share.