Instructions for Episode 7 - Make a Felt Flower

Materials:

wool fibers
sheet of bubble wrap
spray bottle of soapy water
rolling pin
lingerie washing bag (mesh bag for washing delicate garments)
shallow dish for hot water
towel for cleaning up
water
sewing machine and/or needle and thread
button
scissors

*Plan on using several shades of wool fibers to make your flower and leaf look more natural.

The project in this episode is:

In this episode, you can learn to make a decorative felt flower using the water felting technique. The flower can be used as a decoration on a head band, hat, belt, purse or other accessory.

Step 1
Place a large sheet of bubble wrap on a table with the bubble side up.

Step 2
Place long sections of fibers on the bubble wrap. *Your fiber blob should be about twice as large as you want your final flower to be.

Step 3
The first layer will go in one direction and the next layer will go in the other. *Alternate directions as you go.

NOTE
It is easier to pull small bits of fibers from the end of a section of wool, rather than starting with larger amounts.

Step 4
Continue adding layers of fibers, changing the shade of your desired color as you go. *Remember to alternate directions of the fiber with each layer.

Step 5
Make your pile of fibers about an inch thick. *Work from light to dark or dark to light for a more natural looking flower.

Step 6
Spray the fibers with soapy water to keep them in place.

Step 7
Roll thin strips of fiber between wet fingers.

Step 8
Criss-cross the lines over the center of your flower.

Step 9
Leaf - lay sections of fibers in an oblong shape. *Your fiber blob should be about twice as large as you want your final leaf to be.

Step 10
Roll thin strips of fiber between wet fingers and place on damp leaf fibers as veins.

Step 11
Thoroughly wet both blobs of fiber with soapy water.

Step 12
Fold the bubble wrap over your pieces. The bubble side of the wrap should be touching the wool fibers.

Step 13
Squash the fibers flat. If they feel fluffy under the bubble wrap, spray them again with soapy water.

Step 14
Roll both pieces with your rolling pin for about 30 seconds, until they are very flat and thin.

Step 15
Now shape your flower by folding the outer edges of the fiber toward the center of the flower.

Step 16
Use your fingers to rub the fibers flat toward the center. *If the fibers won’t lay flat, or stay in place, spray them again.

Step 17
Shape the leaf in the same way.

Step 18
Cover your pieces again and roll them with your rolling pin for about a minute each.

Step 19
Quickly dunk each piece into hot water to shock the fibers. The hotter the water is, the better.

Step 20
Wad or fold the piece and squeeze it out.

Step 21
Now back to the bubble wrap and another minute of rolling. Repeat this 4-5 times.

Step 22
Place each piece in their own lingerie bag.

Step 23
Machine dry the pieces on high heat with a couple of towels. Blue jeans will also work well.

Step 24
After the pieces are dry, stretch and twist them until they flatten out.

Step 25
Stitch straight lines back and forth across the flower either by hand or machine. *Follow the veins of the leaf, for added detail.

Step 26
Fold the bottom edges of the leaf inward and stitch in place, for a more natural shape.

Step 27
Securely stitch the flower to the leaf.

Step 28
Add a button, pretty bead, embroidery, or even leave the center of your flower plain.

You're done!
No matter how you go about it, your flower will be as unique and as beautiful as you are! Make a lapel pin out of it, add it to a headband, hat, belt, purse, or... make a different color for each!