HOW TO MAKE FLAT FELT

You will need an old towel, warm water, soap, bubble wrap and a broom handle or rolling pin.

1. Put the towel on the table and place bubble wrap on top, bubble side up.

2. Take handfuls of tops (carded wool) and lay out finely and evenly in one direction overlapping slightly, there should be no gaps.

3. Place a second layer on top in the opposite direction, and then a third in the same direction as the first.

4. Use this as your paper and lay coloured wool, silks and yarns to create your design.

5. Make up a soap solution with hot water – this can be put into a sprinkler made from plastic milk bottles or fabric conditioner with holes made in the tops.

6. Carefully sprinkle the water over the dry fibres using plenty to soak the fibres through to the bubble wrap.

7. Cover with another layer of bubble wrap, bubble side down and wet the surface with soapy water. Using a circular movement and keeping the hands flat, gently press the fibres down, to remove air. The soap in the water allows the wool to absorb the water more quickly. Rub the surface starting at the edges working in.

8. After approximately 2 minutes of gently rubbing, use more pressure, then turn the piece over and rub on the other side ( if parts of the surface appear raised and bouncy, add more soapy water). Work vigorously for about 5 minutes.

9. Lift up the bubble wrap and pinch up some of the fibres to see if they are beginning to stick. If a lot of fibres pinch up then you will need to rub a little longer.

10. Remove the top layer of bubble wrap and roll up the piece with the broom handle or rolling pin. Squeeze out excess water and roll the whole thing back and forth for a count of 40.

11. Open the roll, give a ¼ turn and re-roll for another 40. Repeat this process until you are happy with the strength of the felt and the felt has been rolled from every direction and turned over to allow it to shrink evenly.

12. Remove the felt from the bubble wrap and rinse in warm, then cold water, squeeze out, iron flat and lay out flat to dry.

HAPPY FELTING!