Uh, yeah... That sounds like a LOT of work!! For what I'm planning, I think this one wash will work. I did tug a bit at the edges, and although they were ravelly before washing, no more pulls off now. Thankfully, I don't need to get out the wash kettle or build a fire! I have visions of women out in the yard with a wood paddle in their hand, lol.

This is also what I do. The temperature changes shrink the wool but not to the point of felting. I use the resulting fabric for applique and pennyrug type projects. You do NOT need to felt it for applique. Loosely woven herringbones and tweeds are the most likely to fray, but not necessarily. I have very, very little problem with fraying using the method described by ckcowl.

Wool treated this way before use results in a finished product that can be carefully washed (I use lukewarm) when needed.
When you get your bundle in the mail compare the fabrics that were hot water washed and dryer dried with the piece of red wool that hadn't been.

In very high end garments you used to see the label: "Boiled Wool" used to describe fabric treated the way you describe, jaci. It was so tight it shed water. Since I no longer look at high end garments, I don't know if that label is still relevant.

Felted wool is very dense. The wool fibers shrink and mat together so that they do not ravel. You can use that material to applique small pieces and they to not need to be turned under. Personaly, I think felted wool would not be comfortable in a suit! Good luck with what you decide to do.

Be sure to 'deconstruct' the items first! Remove interfacing, pockets, etc, bring it all down to just fabric pieces cuz once it has been felted in hot water you will not be happy if you didn't.

I don't agree. It can be felted, the plaid donkey could have been made for a plaid jacket etc. Even the large background could have been felted.

The project will be absolutely delightful in felted wool, IMHO

I agree. I cut the jackets apart, remove any interfacing and lining and wash in HOT water, rinse in cold and the throughly dry in the dryer. The reason for this is if you felt the wool it will not unravel. Do Not add fabric softener. You will be very happy with this.

you might measure before you wash. if they are washable
woolens, they will not shrink. the pits when you want them to shrink! I have made quilts with washable wools in 8-10" squares. wash in warm or cool water first, cut, sew. then
they will be washable later in cool water. In this case, I also
wash the backing first. poly-down batt is wonderful. warm & natural will shrink too much & is too heavy for wool.
they are the greatest snuggle quilts.

I have several hundred pounds of wool that have felted. Look for men's long wool trench coats if you can. I got a man's 6x (yes 6) once for $2.50. Cut out the satin or silk liner. Save if you want. Great for crazy quilts. Cut or pull out any fused stabilizer. Wash in the hottest water possible. Dry in really hot too. NO fabric softener. Will just dull your rotary blades. Try to get 100% wool. Any other fibers and it may not felt...then, have fun.

What if you have a frontload washer? Saw a blip on it but not much else. Thanks for the info.