Has anyone ever felted wool from wool fabric before? How did you go about it? Wanted to try some of Sue Spargo projects and I have alot of wool material. I tried washing and drying at hot temps but it didn't shrink up as much as I thought it would. Also- what is roving? Thanks

Agitation and HOT water will make the fabric shrink. Each fabric may drink differently however. The good thing is if it didn't shrink enough the first time, you can just run it thru again. Also, if you are recycling garments thtere may be a small amount of other fiber mixed with the wool. Even a little bit will inhibit the fulling process. Roving is just loose wool fibers used in needle punch felting.

Thanks for the info-- one of the projects calls for making a ball from roving- rolling it between your hands- wetting it then letting dry.

I would also like to add that you need a little bit of soap. I have used regular laundry detergent and in a pinch a little dishwashing liquid. Liquid laundry soap seems to work best.

Also, if you have a front loading washing machine for additional agitation I would throw in some clean tennis balls or a pair of jeans or something.

If you did not get much shrinkage with HOT water and agitation , there is more than wool in the fibers... probably polyester.
I had a long history of felting , without it being the intended outcome. Now I wish I had not discarded those mishaps...they would have made fabulous additions to my intentional felting .

Sue Spargo projects uses all kinds of material combined. Velvet- corduroy- cotton-- but she uses wool felt for the majority. Alot of needle turned applique'. From a book of hers called Contemporary Folk. Beautiful stuff- but if you ordered a kit-- runs $500!!! So- I'mm trying to do it myself

hot water- soap and agitation is what it takes-then into a hot dryer (i usually put the washer on hot...but i also turn on my tea kettle- and i add boiling water as the water starts to cool- and keep resetting the agitation dial to keep it washing- not draining and refilling- it takes sometimes a good hour of adding hot/boiling water and more agitation---when you think it is (done) cut a slice---the edges should not ravel- if they do- it needs more felting...and if it's a washable wool- it's not going to felt.
has to be 100% wool-
and some wools shrink less than others.
roving is (raw) wool fiber- usually purchased by weight- like by the ounce or by the pound- it is used for wet/hand felting and for needle felting.
you can purchase it from sheep-llama-alpaca farms- wool shops, some on line places.

wool is wonderful to work with- and Sue Spargo sure does some fun stuff! have fun with it.

when using wool for applique you do not turn under edges- they are left (as is) you only have to turn under (needle turn applique) if using a fabric that will fray---felted wool does not fray.