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How to Dye Felted Wool

Alter wool felt by changing the color.
Kim Steele/Photodisc/Getty Images

When you create handiworks using wool felt, you can make your projects more colorful and decorative by dying the wool into bright colors. Although wool roving or batting can shrink if you expose the wool to hot water, felted wool can be treated in a hot water dye bath without causing any damage. You can dye wool felt using a few basic fabric materials that can be purchased from any arts and crafts supply store.

Things You'll Need:

  • Salt
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Powdered Fabric Dye
  • Stock Pot
  • Towel

Fill a stock pot with 1 gallon of water. Heat the water over high heat until it boils, then reduce the heat to low to simmer.

Pour 1 package of powdered fabric dye and 1 cup of salt into the simmering water. Stir the solution using a wooden spoon for 2 minutes.

Submerge up to 1 lb. of felted wool into the dye water, and push the wool felt down into the dye using a wooden spoon. Simmer the felted wool for 30 minutes.

Remove the felted wool from the dye water, and rinse it out under clear water for 5 minutes until the water no longer contains dye. Squeeze out the felted wool.

Lay the dyed, felted wool onto a dry towel, and allow it to air dry for 1 hour.

Tip

Use rubber gloves to prevent your hands from becoming stained as you handle the dye water and dyed wool.

Warnings:

  • Keep fabric dye out of the reach of children.
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