PLEASE help me craft with wool sweaters...

[70toes]

Okay, so I have wool sweaters. I've made some shorties for Little Bit, but I want to make more! I'm so into this whole wool sweater/felting/Tada! Toys! thing right now, but I have some unanswered questions: Once felted, can wool unravel or is it like fleece? Do you felt your toys and other crafts before or after you've sewn them together? How do you layer your felted wool? Do you handle it like sewing with fabric? Ahh!! I love it, but my mind is so cluttered with thoughts, questions and ideas! So, please share your wisdom, mamas! I'm eager to hear any tips, ideas, and advice, tutorials, instructions, and warnings. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! :

[Ideesmom]

I have many of the same questions. Cant wait to get some answers!!

[Mama~Love]

: Waiting for more answers as well! I have 2 big bags full of 100% wool sweaters that I don't know what to do with.

[ecky]

some answers

i love crafting with felted wool. :

basically once the wool has been felted it does not unravel when cut apart. you can use it just like felt.
there are lots of different opinions about washing the wool. it is good if you put it in an old zip-up pillowcase so you dont get fuzz all over the washer. i wash it on hot with a little bit of detergent. you can add jeans to the wash for friction. you might have to wash it a few times to get the desired effect. 100% wool works best but small bits of acrylic sometimes arent bad. most wool sweaters felt, but every once in a while there will be a random sweater that refuses to felt. who knows why...

once felted, it is really easy to work with. you should cut it apart first and then sew it into whatever you want...it is warm and thick and durable. i've made booties and hats and baby dresses and stuffed animals. sometimes you can even find already felted sweaters at the thrift store. someone elses loss is your gain! the only problem is sometimes it can be too thick for a regular sewing machine so you might have to hand stitch stuff. no biggie.

have fun! the possibilities are endless.

[70toes]

Woo Hoo! Wool addict, right here! I went today to the thrift shop by my house and bought three more sweaters. Last night I felted one and made a whale. Here's the link. Wool is so forgiving! My stitches weren't even close to even and you can't even tell. I put a bell in the tail so it jingles and clear cellophane from an old appliqué wrapper in the fins so they sound crunchy. I'm going to make some fish and a blue mat for an ocean set and give it to DD2 for Christmas.


http://flickr.com/photos/29705543@N04/2798851854/

Thank you for your tips, Ecky!

So, what to do when it's time to wash? Will it shrink?

[Kodachrome]

Yes - felt first, then sew.

Here's some inspiration for you. My friend, Krista, makes monsters out of felted wool sweaters that she finds at thrift stores. They're awesome!

[70toes]

Wow! Those are so great! I love the monster idea!

[rere]

I've also found it to be a good idea to take the sleeves apart before you felt a sweater.You can end up with a thicker part down the whole sleeve where it creased.

I put my sweaters in a mesh bag and wash them on hot with my towels.

I'm working on slippers and here are a few things I've made.

I was going to use felted sweaters to make these but I had some fleece that I wanted to use up.

[Kodachrome]

Originally Posted by rere

here are a few things I've made.

Oh goodness - gorgeous stuff!

I like your whale, 70toes!