How to Make Seamless Wet Felt Shoes

Wet felted fabric takes on a fiberous appearance like this, and can be sturdy enough for shoes.

Wet felted shoes have been around for several hundreds of years, and have been seen in Asian, Scandinavian and other cultures throughout history. The process of wet felting has not changed much over the years, but the modern conveniences of mill processed wool simplify the process for working with felt at home. Felting is a process that is safe for children, so making wet felted shoes also provides a family activity.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Poster board
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Wool, cleaned and carded
• Water, both hot and cold
• Liquid dish soap
• Plastic wrap
• Place mat
• Towels

Instructions

1. Lay two or three pieces of wool next to each other with the fibers going in the same direction, then lay two or three pieces of wool on top of those with the fibers running perpendicular to the first layer. This should create a square of wool about two or three inches in size. Repeat this step for four to six layers, then wet the pile with hot water and a teaspoon of dish soap.

2. Massage the piece until the felt begins to hold together, then rub vigorously until it begins to shrink. Rinse the piece with cold water, then measure to see how much the wool shrinks when felted. This is a test swatch and will indicate how large you need to make your pattern. Divide the finished swatch size into the original swatch size to figure out the rate of shrinkage.

3. Measure your foot's circumference and length. Write down these measurements, then divide the circumference measurement in half. This will tell you how tall you need to make the foot portion of your pattern, as well as the length of the foot portion. Multiply these measurements by the rate of shrinkage. Use these measurements to draw your pattern on the poster board. Add a cuff section for the leg area if desired. Cut out the pattern with scissors.

4. Layer pieces of wool along the pattern as you did with the test swatch, with the fibers running one direction for the first layer, then perpendicular for the second. Alternate the direction of the fibers on each layer for four to six layers, adding about an inch around the sides for a "seam" allowance. There will be no seams on the finished piece because of this seam allowance. Mirror the boot from the bottom so that you have what looks like two feet held together at the bottom.

5. Remove the poster board pattern, then wet the wool with hot water and dish soap mixed together. Gently sprinkle this mixture on the wool, do not pour it. Leave the seam allowance around the outside of the boots dry. Gently press down on the wet wool to start the felting process, then start agitating the fiber gently with your palms until it begins to hold together.

6. Sprinkle the water and soap mixture on the seam allowance, then layer the seams together and gently rub them until they begin to hold together. The piece will start to resemble a large boot. Slide a piece of plastic wrap into the boot so that it will keep both sides separated, then place the boot on the place mat. Wet it again, then roll the piece up in the mat and press and roll the tube about 100 times.

7. Unroll the place mat, flip the boot over, re-roll it and press and roll the tube again. This is the fulling process and will help the fabric become more sturdy. Unroll the tube and rinse the boot with cold water.

8. Wet the boot with the hot water and soap solution again, then slide it onto your foot. Rub the outside of the shoe vigorously with your hands and the bottom of your foot so that it will begin to shape to your foot. Once the shoe fits well, rinse it with cold water, wring the excess water out with towels and allow it to dry. Repeat the process for the second shoe.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use other animal fibers, such as alpaca and angora to make wet felted shoes. A blend of these fibers with wool will felt very well and create a soft, warm fabric.

• You can add embellishments and leather soles to your finished shoes once they are fully dried.

• Do not skip the test swatch when you are working with a new fiber. Each type of wool or animal fiber felts differently and may shrink at a different rate than other fibers. If you do not swatch first, your finished shoe may not fit properly.

References

• The Renaissance Tailor: Felt Boots
• Owning Alpaca: Wet Felting Wool
• Weave Spin Dye: Wet Felting

Resources

• Alpaca Yarns: Felting Alpaca Fibre
• Pat Spark: Sources of Supplies and Equipment for Felt Makers