You know me, when it comes to felt, I go for the wool. I looove makin’ stuff out of felted wool sweaters. Yup, I pretty much wrote the book on it. (ok, not the only book).
Over the years I have had many a email from folks asking about crafting with felt felt. Not shrunken “fulled” sweater felt, but FELT! I do use craft felt for applique and sometimes for lining things like my journals. Some people have asked if craft felt can be substituted in place of felted sweaters for the projects in Warm Fuzzies. In most cases, I would have to say NO. Craft felt, no matter what the content and thickness, just doesn’t behave the same way and the patterns in the book just weren’t designed for it.
Ok, ok, but for the projects that can use craft felt, what kind is best? 100% wool felt is delicious but can be very pricey and is sometimes difficult to find in just the right colors. My personal fave is wool blend craft felt. Usually it’s a mix of wool and rayon or nylon. It’s more readily available and comes in lots of great colors! (My trick: soak the wool blend felt in hot water for 10 min, then put in the dryer on low or air dry. This plumps it up a bit and takes away that hard flat manufactured look!)
Recently I came upon a site called Felt-o-rama. Now they have got some yummy felt options. And look at the sweet way they packaged my order! All wool, wool blend, and recycled eco-felt made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. (I’ve not tried the last option…my previous experience tells me I won’t like the hand. But please to judge for yourself) And look at those adorable felty buttons! I can’t wait to use them on something special. Oh, and in case you’re looking for some roley poley felt balls, Ornamentea is a great resource, too.
Oh and one more thing, back to my love, felted wool sweaters: I noticed this week that my local thrift store moved out the sweaters in favor of the capri pants (hunh???? It’s February!). If you’re having trouble finding wool sweaters to felt, don’t forget to search on etsy. Many sellers have got the goods if you search under “supplies” for “wool sweater scraps“, etc.
Those felt buttons are so cute! And I love those test tubes, what a great way to organize your buttons, practical but yet beautiful!
The eco-spun recycled felt is actually quite nice. Not as nice as wool, but a definite step up from the squares of acrylic crap you find at the craft store.
Thanks for the tip on fluffing up sheets of felt!
I found Feltorama a while ago but have never ordered anything from them but the presentation is just great and those buttons are adorable! Perhaps I will have to order some!
I love this Buttons… and I love your blog..is great..:) I did my first rose through your pomander tutorial đ
Mariana R
Oh dear, they are pulling the sweaters out of your thrift store already? I would talk to management!
i thrifted some felt one time and it was a bit fluffy and such. they must have washed it too. i really did love that and will be washing some tonight for sure. thanks for the hint.
Thank you for the great etsy tip! I was worried because I know the sweaters will be gone soon here in Dallas, too. I already buy some of my supplies on etsy, and I know the sellers appreciate the support!
Don’t forget to check out ebay and your local freecycle.org Many times you can post a “wanted” on freecycle and for things like “felted sweater”, which to some could be garbage would be happy to hand over to you for free.