Ready to dive into the magical world of wet felting?
Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned crafter, having the right supplies can make all the difference.
Let's explore the top 10 must-have wet felting supplies that will transform your creations from "meh" 🙁 to "wow!" 😃😍
Merino Wool Roving: The Heart of Wet Felting
Merino wool roving is the star of the show in wet felting.
Its fine fibers make it perfect for creating smooth, soft, and vibrant felted pieces. Available in a rainbow of colors, this wool is a dream to work with due to its luxurious texture and how easy it is to blend colors.
Merino wool is ideal for beginners and for detailed work.
However, just because you're a wet felting newbie doesn't mean you can't work with some finer blends.
My first wet felting piece was very rewarding. I used a 26-micron Spanish Merino Cross wool roving and it felted quickly. It was very satisfying to have a finished fabric in just a couple of hours' time - and that's what hooked me on wet felting.
I used a silkier blend of Merino wool roving for my second wet felting project. It did not felt as quickly as the first project - it needed a lot more "elbow grease" to get it to the finished piece.
Bubble Wrap: Your Secret Weapon
Believe it or not, bubble wrap is essential for wet felting. It helps create friction, which is crucial for felting the wool fibers together. Plus, it's a great way to recycle!
Though I'm not a big fan of plastic, I do recycle (and tape together) pieces of bubble wrap that come in packages delivered to the house for wet felting projects.
However, I do think it's an essential tool when learning how to wet felt and how much pressure to apply. Bubble wrap provides even pressure, and it is reusable.
Olive Oil Soap: Gentle Yet Effective
Olive oil soap is the preferred choice for wet felting.
It's gentle on your hands and the wool, yet effective in helping the fibers bond together.
I started out using dish soap and my hands suffered for it. The process of rubbing dish soap into the wool made my hands raw and very dry and cracked in some areas.
Olive oil soap is natural and gentle, creates a smooth lather, and has a mild scent. But a bar can get pricey - unless you know where to look!
Bamboo Mat: Roll Your Way to Success
A bamboo mat is perfect for rolling your felted pieces.
It provides a sturdy surface and helps distribute pressure evenly, ensuring a smooth and even finish. Bamboo mats are durable and long-lasting, and easy to clean and store.
If you're anything like me, you look for ways to cut down on expenses before you dive in feet first into a hobby that can get expensive.
So, I started with bubble wrap and a pool noodle. Once I knew that wet felting is a craft I would continue with, I purchased a bamboo mat. You can also use a matchstick blind.
Spray Bottle: Keep It Wet
A spray bottle filled with warm water is essential for keeping your wool wet during the felting process. It allows you to control the amount of water and ensures even distribution.
I started with, and recommend, using a spray bottle that pumps by hand instead of your finger. You will be pumping so much that it can make your forearm sore.
Water bottles are easy to control water flow, ensures even wetting, and are convenient and reusable.
However, not long after, I noticed that it wasn't wetting the deeper wool layers and had to switch to a ladle - don't be afraid of using too much water - you can easily soak it up with a sponge.
As I started wet felting more often, I noticed the need to control water better.
For example, the pressure from the ladle or spray bottle can disturb some of your thinner wool layers. And it's very difficult to move wet wool and move it back in place. It kind of makes a mess, and the wool will stick to your fingers and hands thereby disturbing even more wool layers.
So, though I used a ladle and had purchased a spray bottle, I did put the ladle away and switched to a Ball Brauser Sprinkler. And the spray bottle got used for different household applications.
Rolling Pin: Smooth Operator
A rolling pin is another handy tool for wet felting. It helps apply even pressure and ensures a smooth, consistent finish and it's easy to use!
A pool noodle tends to be too large around (in circumference) when making smaller pieces, so a regular baking rolling pin works well and cuts down on rolling time.
However, if you want to go all out, get yourself a Wet Felting Roller!
Tulle Mesh
Tulle mesh is an essential tool in wet felting, providing a protective layer over your wool fibers during the felting process.
It helps to keep the fibers in place while you apply water and soap, ensuring an even and smooth felting result.
This lightweight, durable mesh is perfect for creating intricate designs and preventing unwanted fiber movement.
And it's my favorite wet felting tool!
I prefer to use Tulle mesh on top of my wool that's laid out (right side up) over my top layer.
I can feel for highs and lows easier with mesh that I can with plastic sheeting. For me, it's also easier to use when taking a peek to see if your wool has felted yet. Sometimes when using bubble wrap or plastic sheeting wool can lift off with the plastic (if it's not wet enough, worked enough, etc.).
It's also much easier, for me, to work the olive oil soap and wet the wool through the mesh than having to lift plastic sheeting to spray your project.
Towels: Keep It Clean
Wet felting can get a bit messy, so having a few towels on hand is essential. They help keep your workspace clean and dry.
Use any kind of towel you have that is absorbent and durable, will keep your workspace dry, and is easy to wash and reuse.
Should you be the rare person that doesn't have older towels that can be used for wet felting, you can use a cotton canvas.
Resist Material: Create Unique Shapes (optional)
Resist material, such as plastic or foam, is used to create unique shapes and patterns in your felted pieces.
It's perfect for making 3D objects and adding interesting textures. It's versatile and flexible, and easy to cut and shape.
I keep all the foam sheets that come with packages delivered to the house. I cut them into the shapes I want and tape them together. They work well and don't break down easily.
However, if you use a marker to make your shape - the marker color may bleed into your wool - so make sure you cut on the inside of the line.
Plastic Sheeting
Plastic sheeting is used to protect your work area and keep your felting projects contained.
It provides a waterproof barrier, preventing water and soap from seeping through and making cleanup easier. It's durable and can be used multiple times.
My Wet Felting Sandwich
- First layer - plastic sheeting to cover work area (especially a wood table)
- Second layer - Towels - I use old beach towels
- Third layer - Bubble wrap laid out wider than my project width
- Fourth layer - Merino wool - this step should be no more than two layers for Nuno felting and more than two for wet felting
- Fifth layer - Tulle mesh laid out wider than my project width
With these 10 must-have tools, your wet felting experience will be transformed.
Each tool brings its own unique benefits, making the felting process smoother, more efficient, and ultimately more enjoyable.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your current toolkit, these products are sure to enhance your crafting journey.
So, now what?
The sky's the limit on uses for the fabulous piece of felted fabric you just created. Make sure to rinse your fabric until all the soap is rinsed out. Don't wring your fabric but instead gently squeeze out as much water as you can.
Next, let your fabric soak in a water bath with a small amount of white vinegar. Let it soak for about 20 minutes while you clean up your work area. Then rinse it again under room temperature water.
Lay it flat to dry. The vinegar smell will go away as it dries.
Check it for size.
If it's a bit larger than you intended, you can "full" it a bit more. Fulling is the process of your wool fabric shrinking.
If it's a bit larger than you wanted you can roll it in a towel or bamboo mat until it's the desired size, or you can wad it up and lightly smash it into the counter or sink (don't take out all your aggressions on this step as it can break your fabric).
Alternatively, if it's too small, you may be able to stretch it gently while it's wet into the desired size.
Happy Wet Felting!
Images Courtesy of Canva, The Woolery, and Michaels
