Forming Wet Felted Flowers

Transform some loose wool fibers into a beautiful necklace pendant.

Felted flowers make beautiful embellishments for hair accessories, clothing and home décor accessories. These flowers are made from loose wool fibers that undergo a process to join them together into a single, stable shape. You can make a neutral-colored flower for an accessory that coordinates with anything, or use a variety of different colored wool fibers for a rainbow flower that stands out from the background.

Things You'll Need

• Bubble wrap
• Wool fiber (different colors)
• Spray bottle
• Dish soap
• Rolling pin
• Medium-size bowl
• Laundry bag
• Sewing machine (or sewing needle)
• Thread
• Button

Instructions

1. Lay the bubble wrap on your work surface with the textured side facing upward. Tear off a handful of the wool fibers, and lay the fibers on the bubble wrap. Stretch out the wool until it reaches an approximate size of 4 inches by 5 inches.

2. Tear off another handful of wool fibers, and lay the fibers across the first layer in the opposite direction. If the first layer of fibers was horizontal, the second layer should be vertical.

3. Pull small pieces of wool fiber from the different colors. Arrange these on top of the first two layers in random order and direction. Create another two layers in this manner.

4. Fill the spray bottle with hot water and a tablespoon full of dish soap. Hold the nozzle of the bottle above the pile of wool fibers. Spray to make the wool thoroughly damp without completely soaking the fibers.

5. Pull three pieces of white wool fiber, and stretch each piece into a thin line. Lay these pieces at different angles on top of the wet wool.

6. Fold the bubble wrap over the top of the fibers. If you used a small piece of bubble wrap, simply place another piece on top. Press down on the bubble wrap to compress the flower. Open the bubble wrap, and mist the wool fibers. Close the wrap, and then press down firmly again. Use a rolling pin, covering the fibers from all different directions.

7. Open the bubble wrap. Fold the outer edges of the felted wool inward to create smooth edges for the flower. Fold over the bubble wrap, and use the rolling pin for 60 seconds.

8. Fill a bowl with hot water. Open the bubble wrap, pick up the felted fabric and dip it into the bowl to thoroughly saturate it. Lift up the fabric, and squeeze out the excess water. Lay the fabric back on the bubble wrap, fold the wrap over the top and roll with the rolling pin again.

9. Pick up the fabric, and insert it into a laundry bag. Put the laundry bag in the dryer, and add a few extra towels to the dryer. Dry on high heat for 15 to 20 minutes.

10. Remove the laundry bag from the dryer, and take the felted wool flower out of the bag. Stretch and bend the flower in your hand to lay it flat.

11. Sew lines across the flower with your choice of thread to make divisions between the petals. Stop each line about 1/2-inch away from the edge of the fabric. Make each petal as large or small as you like. Sew the lines by hand if you do not have a sewing machine. Place a button in the center of the flower, and sew it in place.