First lets talk about the wool to use. Of course 100% wool is the best, but depending on the project 80% wool -20% poly blend is suitable. If you are going to make craft projects such as penny rugs, needle cases, pin cushions or other items it is alright to use the blend. If you are going to use the felted wool for quilting projects then it would be best to buy 100% wool. Wool can be very exspensive, up to $20.00 a yard. But ! I go to the local thrift stores, look for womens wool skirts, wool blankets, and full length wool coats. You can get great colors, and a lot of wool and for very little money.

To use this  wool for quilted projects you have to prepare the wool first. Felting is a process in which you shrink the wool fibers making them tight and in doing so the edges do not fray.

The first thing I do when I bring the wool home from the thrift shop is sit on the porch and take the garment apart. Cut off the waist of a skirt first, then cut the zipper off, and cut open all the seams. I do not sit and pick apart every stitch with a seam ripper, no, that is not needed. When I get enough for a washing load done I put them in the washer with detergent, no softner, and use hot water only. Wash them on your machines' longest cycle. Then dry the wool in the dryer on the longest and the hottest setting. You may have to repeat this again. You look over the wool, if the fibers now look thicker, the edges are not all fraying and the wool is dry then you are done.

Now I get busy and start cutting the wool into the largest pieces I can. I take the hem down and steam press the hem out with a moist pressing cloth.  Your wool is now ready for your project. 

 BUT WAIT, YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT COLOR ? 

 No problem, wool is easy to dye. Go to the detergent  aisle in  local grocery store and buy the dye we all know, it comes in liquid or powder. I perfer the powder because I can control the intensity of the color with the powder. I put one quarter cup of salt in about 4 cups of dye bath. After it has sat for an hour , before I rinse or squeeze it out, I microwave it in a glass bowl for about 1 minute 30 seconds. Play around with color, I like to put darkest and then light on one piece to get a shaded piece. Its a blast making your own felted wool, and for about $10.00-15.00 you have a lot of wool in the colors you want.