Wool batting

Hi, I thought I would write a little bit about using Wool batts compared to using Wool roving, sliver or wool tops.

Working with Wool Batting for Felt-making

Wool batting is a convenient and versatile material for felting, especially when you're after speed and ease. It has been scoured, dyed, and carded, so the fibres are blended together, not straightened or aligned.

This makes it perfect for quick, non-directional felting, as the wool’s natural scales will interlock during the felting process without needing the fibres to be carefully laid out in specific directions, unlike roving, slivers or tops.

Advantages of Wool Batting in Felting

• Quick Layout: Wool batting allows for a fast layout since the fibres are already blended. You don’t need to worry about fibre direction or alignment—simply spread the wool out on your surface.

• Versatility: It’s great for a wide variety of flat and sculptural felt projects. You can easily use it for flat pieces like wall hangings, play-mats for small world play, and pre-felts, as well as for three-dimensional projects such as hats, vessels, and bags.

How to Use Wool Batting

1. Preparing the Wool Batting
   Start by spreading the batting out on your work surface. There’s no need to worry about the direction of the fibres—just arrange them into the desired shape and size. If you notice any thin or sparse areas, fill them in with small wisps of additional batting. This will ensure that the felt has an even thickness.

2. Layering for Thickness
   To build up thickness, add multiple layers of batting, each one slightly overlapping the previous one. This helps in achieving a denser felt. You can adjust the thickness based on the requirements of your project. Adding layers will also help provide a sturdy base for sculptural pieces like vessels or bags.

3. Shaping and Cutting
   Wool batting can be cut or shaped before wet felting to form your desired structure. If you’re making pre-felt or a larger piece, you can also cut the batting into specific shapes. For sculptural projects like hats or bags, the batting can be formed into the base shape and felted from there.

4. Joining Pieces
   If you want to join two pieces of batting or connect areas more securely, simply overlap the fibres. This will encourage them to fuse together during the fulling process, resulting in a strong and seamless connection.

After Felting: Fulling and Drying

Once you’ve completed the felting and fulling processes, it’s important to rinse the felt thoroughly to remove any soap residue. After rinsing, lay the felt flat to dry on a surface. Avoid wringing or twisting the felt, as this can distort the shape (depending on what you are making). Allow it to air dry naturally to maintain its integrity and prevent any unwanted stretching.

Conclusion:
Wool batting is an excellent tool for felting, particularly for projects where you need speed, ease, and flexibility. Whether you’re working on flat pieces or sculptural forms, it allows you to quickly build up layers and shapes with minimal effort. While it may not be as common as other wool types like roving , slivers or tops, its convenience and efficiency make it a valuable material for both beginners and experienced felters alike.

I am able to custom dye for you wool batting and can even use multi colours to create an individual, unique creation.

cheers and love from Sandie x (p.s I did have some help from chat GTP to write this blog)