If you are going to do wool felt applique and make a piece that might need to be washed in the future, I semi-wash my wool first by filling the tub with hot water and then just let it agitate a minute or two and then spin it out, then fill the tub with cold water and spin it out once more. I then dry it in the dryer until it is almost dry and then lay it out to finish drying...It will shrink but that is what you want it to do before actually making your project...It will shrink as much as 3-6 inches .....It will felt as well...and yes, that menas it takes on a different texture...It is a little fuzzy looking...I make wool felt penny rugs and quilt blocks with my wool...