I have felted many men's Jackets from thrift stores. As soon as I bring them in the door I wash them in the hottest water my machine has with the normal amount of detergent on the longest agitation (this will not work well in a front loader because there is no agitator) I then toss them in the drier until they are bone dry, this produces a lot of lint so I check my lint trap often to clear it. I then cut off the buttons, cut away the lining and padding, cut out the sleeves, and cut down that sleeve underarm seam. I then cut off the collar and in my case discard it, Now I have a vest like piece which I open at the shoulder seams. Now all pieces are flat and I can fold and store according to color :o)