Felt Making (1 hour)

Discover the steps of processing raw wool into felt. Each student will be working with the wool to create their own felt ball as they are guided through the process.

In this program the students will learn the age-old process of pressing wool into felt. Students working in groups of four will take raw wool and tease it; a process where the fibers are manually pulled apart to separate and untangle them while loosening trapped dirt. Then the students will brush the ‘picked’ wool with cards, (flat wire brushes used to align the wool fibers prior to felting), peel the brushed wool from the card and cross layer the wool in 4 plies. Next the students will add a hot soapy water solution, and roll the wool in a circular pattern between their hands, (as if making a meatball), while applying pressure to bind the wool fiber scales together. By continuing to add hot soapy water and repeating the rolling process the students will obtain a woolen felt ball. If time allows, more than one felt ball can be made. The students will then be able to bring these pressed wool products home. (A room with tables for students to work at and access to hot water and sinks is necessary for this program.)