Felt Faction

1    Cut out 3 different size circles out ot the dyed prefelts. Diametre of the largest circle is about 25 cms and the two other circles are smaller. Do not even try cut the circles out neatly, because indifinite shapes and rugged edges function brilliantly when shaping the flower. Set the circles (=  petals) on top of each other starting from the largest circle and leaving the smallest  one on top.

2    Cut out the centre piece of the flower (= lens) of the prefelt. This can be a small circle with diametre about 3 – 4 cms. Needle the lens in the centre of the flower and attach all parts to each other by needling them from the centre. Make sure the needling is done carefully (rough, basic needle). Double check that the fibres actually go through to the wrong side. If you want you can also cut 2-3 cms wide strips of the prefelt ( = stamen), which you needle under the lens.
If you would like have leaves, cut them out fairly large, more plump than what you want them to be. The leaves are felted sideways; they actually get longer and thinner. Leaves can also be needled under the lens or even to the edge of the petal.

3    Start felting by  rubbing all layers of the flower(+ stamen + leaves) using soap and water, one hand under the work the other on top (one soapy hand felts the base and simultaneously the other soapy other hand rubs the top side). Keep the water as hot as you can. Last concentrate on the lens and felt it carefully between your hands.

4    Start rolling. Hold on the the centre part of the flower from the base and pull the flower to be a funnel like a chanterelle mushroom. Turn the funnel to its side and roll it briskly inside a wet towel or a cloth. Roll the flower sideways several times checking the flower and its all layers between rolling. When checking use “one hand under one over” -technique.

Felt the stamens by by rolling them between your hands or  by rolling them
together inside a towel. Jerk the petals and steamens using soap and water.

A finished flower is sturdy,  thoroughly felted to the end. Rinse it using hot and cold water. Squeeze extra water off and shape the flower and hang to dry, preferably upside down.You can bend the petals outwards and stretch the edge if you like.

You may find use for your felter flower several ways:  as flower arrangements  or as jewellery in your garment or hair.
You can attach the flower by needling it to your scarf or vest. The flower is attached to the surface before it is felted. Felting is done as described above; only it is done together with the scarf or the vest.
Felted flower can be attached to caps, socks, mittens etc knitted or crocheted of yarns which “shrink” – you felt them together.
Everything is possible, your imagination is the only limit.

Happy felting!