How to Make a Wet-Felted Bird Pod

Sally Gulbrandsen Feltmaker: Her tutorials and techniques are as individual as she is—unique, experimental and always interesting.

A Little About This Bird Pod Project

This felting project has been designed to utilize a few tools which will help to speed up the felting process. These include a tumble dryer and a balloon.

Time needed to complete this project is estimated at around three hours and includes half an hour which was spent with the project spinning around inside a tumble dryer. I timed it from beginning to end, but then I was taking all the photos, too.

The end result is a bird pod which will keep its shape perfectly. Felting by hand never produces a felt which is as firm as that done mechanically—at least, that has been my experience.

Items Required for This Project

• A tumble dryer
• A template made from plastic such as bubble wrap or similar. Laminate floor cushioning would work, too.
• A large dinner plate
• A felt-tip pen
• Scissors
• A quantity of merino wool roving suitable for felting in colors of your choice
• Grated olive oil soap or dishwashing liquid diluted in hot water
• A latex balloon or alternatively a Gertie Ball which can be inserted into the cavity of your pod
• Bubble wrap

Quick Overview of the Method

1. Place the dinner plate onto a piece of bubble-wrap/laminate underfloor cushioning.
2. Draw a circle around it with a felt tip pen. The plate should measures approximately 11 1/2 inches across.
3. Add a handle to the drawing as shown in the image below and cut out the template leaving a space for the handle.
4. Place the template onto a waterproof surface and put merino wool fibers down onto the first side of the template as shown below,
5. Cover the layer of wool with curtain netting.
6. Wet with hot soapy water and apply gentle downward pressure to the wet fibers with both your hands.
7. Press the water down and out towards the edge of the template.
8. Remove the curtain netting and turn the project over.
9. Tuck in any loose ends.
10. Repeat the same process with the pod handle section, turn any loose fibers in.
11. Fill in the center of the template with fibers, this time the fibers should not extend beyond the edge of the template in order to avoid making uneven layers in the pod.
12. Repeat this process three times on both side of the template and add a few decorative fibers to the final layer as desired.
13. Cover with bubble-wrap, bubbles facing the project and then cover with a thick piece of plastic sheeting.
14. Using a palm sander, sand the layers of felt until you can perform the 'pinch' test. This may take a while but do this as thoroughly as possible.
15. Cut a very small hole into one side of the pod and be careful not to penetrate the layer underneath the template.
16. Leaving the template inside, carefully insert a latex balloon into the cavity and inflate it, leave a little space (It will look a little baggy). This space will be taken up as the project begins to shrink in the tumble dryer and the air inside the balloon expands.
17. Knot the end of the balloon and wrap strips of bubble-wrap around the handle of the pod.
18. Insert the project into a freezer bag. Tie the ends, leaving a little space through which any excess water can escape and insert the pod into a tumble dryer.
19. As the project shrinks, keep on checking the progress.
20. As the fibers tighten up and the balloon takes up the slack in the pod, untie the balloon, let out a little air. Each time you do this, put it back into the plastic bag and place into the tumble dryer until further shrinkage has taken place.
21. Do this three or more times or until you are satisfied that the pod will hold its shape when the balloon is removed.
22. Remove the balloon and the template from the project and neaten the entrance to the pod as shown.
23. Don't worry too much if a little bit of the resist template remains behind in the handle. It will give this area a little added strength and it won't be seen by the bird inside or anyone else.
24. I like to rub the handle between my hands so that it becomes a little rounded. This will happen anyway in the tumble dryer but if not, give it a little help.
25. Put the balloon back into the hole for the last time, rinse thoroughly under running water and then put the project back into the tumble dryer to dry a little and allow the pod to dry out on a hook or washing line with the balloon still inside.
26. Your project is now complete.

Step-by-Step Guide With Photos

Below are detailed instructions and photographs of each step.

1. Gather Your Materials

The image shows a party balloon, a pair of scissors, the template and a felt tip pen, an old towel, bubble-wrap is used to cover the surface of the table. I use a marble table but any waterproof surface should suffice.

The sushi mat shown here will not be used for this project.

2. Draw and Cut Out a Template

Place a dinner plate which should measure a minimum of 11 1/2 inches onto a piece of laminate floor cushioning or bubble-wrap. Draw around the plate with a felt tip pen. Add a handle as shown in the image below and cut the template out.

In this case I used something which feels and looks like apple box packaging.

3. Add Merino Wool Fibers to the Template

Begin by adding merino wool fibers to the 1st side of the resist

4. Fill the Center Space With Fibers

Cover the resist with an even layer of fibers.

Make sure not to leave any gaps as this will result in thin spots. Aim to get all sides as even as is possible.

5. Cover With Curtain Netting and Wet With Hot Soapy Water

Cover the wool fibers with curtain netting, wet and smooth down the fibers with hot soapy water. Do this by pressing down onto the wool. Push the water out towards the edges of the template and then smooth them down with your fingers.

6. Remove the Netting

Gentry remove the curtain netting from the woolen fibers.

7. Turn the Template Over

The overhanging fibers on the edge should now be gently turned over.

Use your fingers and hot water to smooth them out.

8. Turn the Fibers Over the Edges of the Top Section, Then the Handle

Begin by turning over the fibers in the top section near the handle.

9. Fold in the Edges

Neatly fold over the woolen fibers to form a neat circle as shown.

For a really neat edge cover with bubble-wrap now and rub for a few seconds.

10. Cover the Handle With Fibers

Cover the template as shown with more woolen fibers.

11. Cover With Curtain Netting and Wet With Hot Soapy Water

Cover the beginnings of the handle with curtain netting, wet with hot soapy water and smooth down the fibers.

12. Remove the Netting

Remove the curtain netting once the wet fibers have been smoothed down.

13. Turn the Template Over

Turn the template over and begin by folding in the edges to create a handle for the bird pod.

If you fibers are very long, don't worry, take them back around to the other side so that the edges are completely neatened off.

14. Turn One Edge In

Begin by turning in one edge as shown in the image below.

15. Neatly Fold in the Other Edges

Turn in both edges of the handle, one over the other. If you fibers are shorter you may not have to do this.

16. Fill the Center With Woolen Fibers

Fill in the second side of the template with woolen fibers as shown and cover the project with the curtain netting and wet with hot soapy water.

17. Cover With Curtain Netting and Wet With Hot Soapy Water

Wet with hot soapy water, smooth down the wool and press the water down and out towards the outer edges of the template. Rub gently with your hands.

18. Neaten the Edges

Carefully turn any loose edges in to make a neat edge to the template by turning it over and neatening them off as before.

19. Cover With Bubble Wrap and Wet the Surface

Once neatened off, cover the project with a piece of bubble-wrap, bubble side down and wet the surface so that your hands can glide smoothly over the top. Give both sides a good rubbing.

20. Rub the Project Well

With the project now covered in bubble-wrap, bubble side down, rub well. This will give the project a nice neat finish in preparation for layer 2.

21. Remove the Bubble Wrap

Layer 1 has now been completed. The result is a beautifully neat wool covered template.

This will now be repeated twice more. The final layer will also have the addition of a little decoration.

22. Begin Layer 2

Start by covering the 1st side of layer 2 with a layer of merino wool fibers as shown below.

23. Fill the Center

Starting on the edges, overlap the template with a circular layer of fibers.

24. Cover With Curtain Netting and Wet With Hot Soapy Water

Cover the woolen fibers with the curtain netting, wet and smooth down as was done with Layer 1.

25. Remove the Netting

Smooth out the fibers and remove the curtain netting

26. Turn the Project Over

As seen below, the woolen fibers are ready to be turned over onto the previous layer of blue.

27. Tuck in the Loose Fibers

Smooth the wool over the edges and wet down with your fingers and some hot soapy water.

28. Cover the Center With Woolen Fibers

Fill the hole with fibers as was done in layer 1.

29. Cover With Curtain Netting and Wet With Hot Soapy Water

30. Smooth Out the Fibers

31. Cover the Handle With Woolen Fibers

Put a layer of fibers on the handle section

32. Cover With Curtain Netting and Wet With Hot Soapy Water

Wet with hot soapy water and smooth out the fibers.

33. Smooth Down the Fibers

34. Remove the Curtain Netting

35. Turn the Project Over

36. Neatly Fold in the Edges

37. Don't Let the Wool Overlap the Second Side of the Template

Only the template should be covered in wool.

It is unnecessary to extend the wool over the edge on the second side of each layer. This will keep the layers even without making the edges too thick.

38. Cover the Center With Woolen Fibers

39. Fold in the Loose Fibers

40. Cover With Netting and Smooth Down the Fibers

41. Rub With Bubble Wrap to Complete Layer 2

Layer 2 is now complete and is ready to receive the final layer of wool

42. Add Fibers for Layer 3

Cover the first side in a layer 3 in wool fibers.

If desired, add a few decorative fibers as shown below.

Cover, wet with hot soapy water, rub and turn the project over and tuck in the edges as was done in layer 1 and layer 2

43. Cover With Curtain Netting and Wet With Hot Soapy Water

44. Remove Curtain Netting

45. Fold Over the Edges

46. Fill in the Final Circle With No Overlap

47. Add a Few Decorative Fibers

48. Cover With Curtain Netting and Wet With Hot Soapy Water

Cover with curtain netting and wet with hot soapy water.

49. Flatten the Fibers

50. Turn in the Loose Edges

51. Cover With Bubble Wrap and Rub to Finish

52. Remove Bubble Wrap and Neaten Edges

53. Cover With a Thick Sheet of Sheer Plastic

54. Use an Electric Palm Sander for the Final Rub

Use a palm sander for the final rub as an alternative to rubbing with bubble-wrap.

Please remember to abide with all safety regulations regarding working with electricity in close proximity to water.

55. Perform a Pinch Test

When the fibers no longer move under your fingers the wool should be sufficiently fulled to complete the next section of this tutorial.

56. Mark a Tiny Hole in the Wet Wool

57. Insert a Latex Balloon Into the Cavity

58. Inflate the Balloon and Knot the End

Inflate the balloon, keep it flat on a table and bend down towards the project. Leave a little room for shrinkage as can see by the little folds in the wool.

The project is still fairly fragile at this stage but don't worry but do handle it with care. Further fulling will take place in the tumble dryer.

59. Cut Strips of Bubble Wrap

Cut some long pieces of bubble wrap and tie them around the handle of the bird pod. This is done to prevent the handles from felting to the body of the pod.

This is done to ensure that the handle will not attach itself to the body of the pod. It ensures a 3D project.

60. Wrap Bubble Wrap Around the Handle

61. Place the Project in a Freezer Bag

62. Tumble Dry for 10 Minutes, Then Check

63. Untie the Balloon and Release Some Air

This should be done about three times until the ball has shrunk considerably, around thirty percent.

64. Remove the Balloon and Cut the Hole Neatly

65. Remove the Template

66. Remove the Bubble Wrap

67. Finish It Off

Once the hole has been trimmed neatly, re-insert the balloon into the cavity and put back into the tumble dryer for a few minutes.

Rinse the project under hot and cold water and put back into the tumble dryer for a little while. Remove and allow to air dry with the balloon still inside.

A rinse in vinegar water is recommended.

Feedback Is Welcome

I hope you enjoy making this project.

If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to ask. I look forward to hearing from you.

© 2015 Sally Gulbrandsen

Comments

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on August 28, 2017:

Hello Elizabeth,

If you don't have a dryer, roll the project up inside a large bamboo blind or roll it up inside a sheet of bubble wrap. Keep on changing the direction in which you the roll the project inside the blind or bubble wrap to get even shrinkage from all sides. Remember that there is no urgency to finish the project in just a day. Simply cover it and return a day or two later if necessary. Wet again and roll. I wish you success with your project.

Sally

Elizabeth on August 28, 2017:

I love this bird pod. I am fairly new to wet felting but I think I will give this a try. I do not have a dryer so I guess I will be doing a lot of rubbing on this project.

Thanks so much for the clear instructions.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on July 21, 2016:

You are very welcome. Thanks for taking the time to stop by to comment.

Sally

veefrowe on July 17, 2016:

This is fabulous. Thanks so much. Love to see what others are doing when creating felt pieces. Kind regards.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on March 20, 2016:

Cathy

You are very welcome. I am so glad your project turned out well.

Cathy on March 20, 2016:

Thank you so much for the clear instructions ...I love my birdie house

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on September 26, 2015:

Glimmer Twin Fan

Your return visit and very kind comments are appreciated. Always good to receive a HOTD. Thank you.

Best wishes,

Sally

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on September 26, 2015:

Sally, you're so welcome my friend.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on September 26, 2015:

Kristen Howe

Thank you so much for the visit and well wishes,

Best wishes, Sally

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on September 26, 2015:

Sally, what a cool crafty idea! What a great idea. Congrats on HOTD!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on September 26, 2015:

purl3agony

Hi Donna, thank you so much for your valued support. It is much appreciated as always.

Best wishes,

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on September 26, 2015:

Heidi Thorne,

You are so right. They definitely make a good talking point in a variety of situations. Thanks for your well wishes and congrats. They are much appreciated.

Best wise

Sally

Claudia Mitchell on September 26, 2015:

Coming back to say a hearty congratulations!!!!!! This is a terrific hub and project and well deserving of the HOTD award.

Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on September 26, 2015:

How cute! Even if not used for birds, this could also be a cute holiday decoration. Big congrats on Hub of the Day! Well deserved.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on September 26, 2015:

srai

Glad you found this tutorial useful.

Sally

Donna Herron from USA on September 26, 2015:

This is one of my favorite hubs! Congratulations on your HOTD!

srai on September 26, 2015:

Excellent!

Yo make best use of writing and sharing idea.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on May 19, 2015:

brakel2

Hello Audrey,

It may surprise you, but I began wet felting at around the time I started writing here:) I saw it as a way to combine my photography, wet felting and writing skills. I think it has worked out well for me.

This is a good project to start with. I have made bird pods using several methods. Check out other my tutorials and see which one you think you might like to try first.

A good beginner project is probably a very simple flower. I would try putting down a fine layer of wool roving onto a sushi mat. Wet it with a little hot soapy water it and roll the wool inside the mat. Keep on changing the direction in which you roll the wool inside. It will felt very quickly rolled a sushi mat. Expect to work much harder on larger projects though:) Give it a try.

Blessings to you,

Sally

Sally

Audrey Selig from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 19, 2015:

Hi Sally You are becoming the great wet felter. I love this little bird pod and wondered how you got started with this craft about which I had never heard. It must have taken a long time to learn the steps to accomplish this feat. One day I just might try it. Pinning. Blessings, Audrey

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on May 15, 2015:

Glimmer Twin Fan,

I have my bird pod sitting in a tree, just waiting for a little bird couple to decide to make it their home. I do think it looks very nice. I hope you get an opportunity to try this wet felting project sometime. Thanks for stopping by to comment, it is much appreciated.

Have a great weekend.

Sally

Claudia Mitchell on May 15, 2015:

Your projects continue to amaze me Sally. I can just imagine how lovely this would look in our yard. One day I will give this a try :-)

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 19, 2015:

D.A.L

How nice to hear from you. This hobby is a growing one and it is my hope there are many people out there enjoying learning this creative art form. Thanks so much for the visit, vote and share.

Best wishes,

Sally

Dave from Lancashire north west England on April 19, 2015:

Hi sally,what time and effort you have put in to producing this excellent hub. I am sure there are some artistic people getting stuck into this fine project as I write. great read with easy to understand instructions and fine images. Voted up shared.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 16, 2015:

RonElFran

It was very nice of you to stop by. I am glad you found the process of making felt interesting. Your comment is valued and appreciated. Thank you.

Sally

Ronald E Franklin from Mechanicsburg, PA on April 15, 2015:

I'm not at all a crafts person, so I'll never actually do this project. But it was fascinating seeing how it's done. Just the words "balloon" and "felt" were enough to pique my curiosity, and I enjoyed reading about it. It certainly looks like a home birds will enjoy as well.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 15, 2015:

Hi Jodah,

I think that it is a lot easier than it looks. Follow the step by step instructions and cover the template as shown with a layer of fibers on both sides of the template.

Repeat this, using a different color for the next two layers. This will help you keep on track so that you can see exactly what you have done on the previous layers.

The most important thing in getting this project right is to make sure that the project is FULLED (with the sander or rubbed hard with your hands under the bubble-wrap, bubble side down) You can do it without the sander, it just takes a bit longer. If you FULL the project PROPERLY before you cut the hole and before you put it into the tumble dryer you will be fine. This is because the wool is very fragile at this stage and will only felt together once a lot of friction has been applied.

I can't emphasize how important it is to make sure that the fibers no longer move under your fingers. Perform the (PINCH TEST) before you cut the hole and add the balloon before felting in the tumble dryer. Err on the safe side, more FRICTION is always better than insufficient BEFORE it goes into the tumble dryer.

After that, the tumble dryer will do an amazing job. Cut the hole SMALL (MOST IMPORTANT) It will stretch, especially if it has not been FULLED sufficiently.

This would be a great project to do together. The tumble dryer will happily accommodate two pods at a time:) Have fun.

I appreciate your returning back to comment. Thanks too for the vote up.

Sally

John Hansen from Gondwana Land on April 14, 2015:

Hi Sally, I read this great hub yesterday and tried to leave a comment but there was no box in which to leave a new comment..must have been a glitch. All good again now though. I love birdhouses and the like so enjoyed reading how to make a wet felted bird pod. Your instructions are clear and comprehensive with excellent photos along the way and video. I still think it is still too challenging for me but maybe if I can talk my wife into it...:) thanks for all the work you put into your hubs. Voted up.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 14, 2015:

MsDora

Lovely to see you again. I am glad you thought the finished produce look cute. I appreciate the very kind comment, thank you so much.

Sally

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on April 14, 2015:

Another great project with clear instructions and a cute finished product. In awe of your creativity!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 14, 2015:

tillsontitan

It worked out very well and you are right, with just a little patience and some care the bird pod is not difficult to make at all. This method proved very effective and I would use it in preference to other ways of felting if I wanted a firm textured result. The tumble dryer did a great job. I appreciate your stopping by to comment, thank you very much.

Mary Craig from New York on April 14, 2015:

What a great little bird pod! Evidently it takes a little patience, but your instructions and pictures, are so detailed it is definitely easy to follow. I love the looks of it and can see how nice it looks when it's finished.

Voted up, useful, and interesting.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 14, 2015:

FlourishAnyway

How interesting that a squirrel would decide to live in a gourd. Squirrels have approached my bird pods in the past, sometimes ripping some of the wool off, perhaps to use to make their own little nest more comfortable. Maybe they appreciate their handy work more than they do mine. I don't really mind though as nature is part and parcel of my life and I am happy to share with any little creature that decides to share my space. Glad you found the instructions details and well documented.

Your visit is valued and appreciated as always. Thank you.

Sally

FlourishAnyway from USA on April 14, 2015:

Lucky birds! I have a couple of gourds hanging out in my back yard for my birds, and a lonely little squirrel has decided that it would make a good home for him. Of course, he had to gnaw the entry hole larger. Heaven help him if he got a hold of this beauty. You've done such a lovely job with this, and the instructions are so detailed and well-documented.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 13, 2015:

Hi DJ

Oh you do make me smile. I so look forward to every one of your comments. I could bottled each one and sell them for a lot of money but sorry, not so sure about those husbands! I am afraid you will have to deal with those yourself:)

Thanks for turning a dull evening into a smiling one.

You have a great evening,

Sally

DJ Anderson on April 13, 2015:

Sally, have you thought about centering your business

around "dog houses for husbands". I mean, you could

make them to fit the individual and they could be used

repeatedly for the habitual offender. Just an enterprising

idea!! You might snatch up the patient on this concept before someone else thinks of it. :-) LOL

DJ.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 13, 2015:

poetryman6969

:) We learn something new everyday. I appreciate your visit and the vote up, thank you very much.

Sally

poetryman6969 on April 13, 2015:

I guess my first response is I didn't know you could make this out of that. Some very detailed instructions.

Voted up.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 13, 2015:

Hi Billy thanks for the visit. I will have you following those instructions at your earliest convenience then:) Your visit and vote, easy to follow is appreciated. You have a wonderful week Billy.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on April 13, 2015:

I voted it was easy to follow....for just about anyone not named me. LOL Great instructions, Sally. I love the idea of a craft project that benefits nature. Well done!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 13, 2015:

DJ Anderson - thank you so much. Your comment, visit and vote up useful and share are much appreciated as always.

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 13, 2015:

purl3agony - they hold up pretty well to the weather. I think they are probably better as decorative items on a verandah which has a lot of interesting plants on it which compliment the plants and little birds that like a sheltered spot. I don't think I would use one two years running though I have had them in my garden for up to two years.

DJ Anderson on April 13, 2015:

Sally this is a super tutorial!!

There is no stopping you. You go girl!!

Voted up useful and share!!

DJ.

Donna Herron from USA on April 13, 2015:

Such an interesting process with an amazing result. These bird pods would look really interesting and colorful in the trees in our yard, but do you know how well they hold up over time? Is it possible to clean the pod out after a bird is done nesting in it?