Felting

Today, I was instructed in the art of felting. I didn't know that felting was a thing, but it is, and I think I like it! I spent a day with art guru, Sally, and champion spinner, Jan, and here is the story of our day...

Step 1

Gently pull apart dyed skeins of lambs' wool, or llama, or alpaca, and arrange in three or four subtly mingled rows to form a roughly rectangular shape. Do this on a piece of bubble wrap. Keep all of the threads going in one direction. Feel free to mix up your colours and materials. Silks are encouraged. Try to have a rough idea of what your final piece will look like, for example, will you opt for a floral festival, or perhaps a landscape, or, if you're feeling particularly bold, a self portrait... 

Step 2

Repeat process in opposite direction, across-ways.

Step 3

Repeat process in the original direction. Keep patting down and avoid windy blasts.

Step 4

Add decorative bits. 

Mine

Step 5
Generously apply soapy water all over, and cover with a thin layer of polythene.

Jan's

Woolly bits

Step 6
Massage the piece with soap-slippery hands through the polythene for HOURS...

Mine, mid-massage

Step 7
Turn it over gently and massage the backside for HOURS...

Step 8
Tug at it a bit to check it is 'set'.

Sally's massive piece

Step 9
Roll up your piece within its bubble wrap, in the end of a towel, like a vast sausage roll, and roll it evenly, back and forward in a rocking motion, for HOURS, or two hundred times, whatever comes first. Turn it 90 degrees and repeat, and then again, and then again. Froth oozes from both ends of the towel wrap. We actually uttered the famous words, 'It's frothy man...' from the 70s Cresta advertisement. When you're felting, there's a lot of time to reminisce.

Step 10
Be AMAZED as the miracle happens! It will have shrunk dramatically, becoming a third of its original size!

Sally's under polythene

Step 11
And I'm serious... Throw your piece violently to the ground several times.

Step 12
Unfurl your work of art.

Mine, resting on its towel

My piece of felting, in close up! Look at it! It's marvellous, isn't it? It's as tough as elephant hide now!

Mine and Jan's

Sally's

This may only be the start of a piece; the arty part of you may now go on to embellish the piece with embroidery, applique or what not. I'm so in love with my piece at the moment that I feel it needs no gilding, but... let's wait and see. I've put it in the bathroom, and will direct all visitors to view it.