Wet felting playscapes?

[michelleklu]

So I'm pretty new to the whole needle felting thing and am trying to make a playscape. After so much poking, the playscape isn't as firm as I'd like, then I read that people wet felt theirs. How do you do this? I've wet felted balls and that's pretty much all the experience I have in that area. People say they wet felt tree stumps as well. :

I have looked at some wet felting tutorials, but am still confused. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I'm pretty sure its too late for the playscape I made because I already attached the tree/cave, and stones. But it would be nice to know for future reference!

[Yo Becca]

Have you checked out the first issue of Living Crafts magazine? they had a wet felted playmat - but a friend tore those pages out of my copy.

[Ashersmum]

Do you think that you've used enough roving? I always just needle felt mine and make sure that the wool is piled on really thick so that it can become really dense. I'm a hater of wet felting though
Here's an example of one of my playscapes that was completely needle felted. It's very strong and sturdy.
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction...on_id=12094065

I use the plain white wool batting for the bulk of it and then cover it with the more expensive colored roving.

[flapjack]

If you make the felt thicker (by adding more roving) it will have more body and stability. The other alternative would be to tie it in a pillowcase and throw it through the washing machine to see what happens.

Ashersmum, you wouldn't consider doing a tutorial on your playscape, would you? I can't figure out how to make the cave...

[Ashersmum]

Sure Flapjack Just take a thick piece of batting, rectangular in shape and sandwich it between two pieces of whatever color you want your cave to be. Needle felt it together until it's pretty firm, keeping the long rectangular shape, but remember to leave both narrow ends very lightly felted so that you can firmly attach them to the playscape. Next, find a place on the playscape where you would like to put your cave. Make an arch with your rectangle that you just made and needlefelt both ends in place. Next, push the back side down and attach that to the playscape. You have your cave!

[flapjack]

Thankyou!

[dillonandmarasmom]

Oh my woolly goodnes, Ashersmum! I am bookmarking your shop. Beautiful!!

[MamaWolfe]

Ashersmum, that is the most amazing playscape I've ever seen! I've been working on one for a few months but I'm definitely going to be adding some of your ideas into mine!!!