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.

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!!!!!!!!!

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.

I have 2 wool patchwork quilts and the wool was sewn exactly like cotton would be, except that it was cut into 4 inch squares and those were sewn together without sashing, but the colors of the wool were carefully considered and the quilts were wonderful blended shades of brown , grey, and taupe that graduated almost in waves through out the quilt. The seams are thicker because the fabric is thicker than cotton. My quilts were tied not quilted.The wool was not pretreated in any way.

I have never felted wool but plan to do it soon. A woman I know makes many things. Recently I saw her black dressy purse, a pair of mittens lined with fleece and a beautiful tote/purse. She says it is easy. All I know is that she could make some serious money if she wanted to sell her felted crafts. These items are so stylish, she adds flowers and beads.