How to Make a 4D Wet-Felted Flower

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

Simple Can Be Oh-So Beautiful

This wet felting tutorial was developed with both the novice and the more experienced feltmaker in mind.

On completion of this tutorial, you should end up with a beautiful, delicate 4D flower. Don't forget to keep your wool-roving fibers sparse. This will ensure that your finished flower is both wispy thin and delicate-looking.

Place the wool-roving fibers as close to the fluffy edges of the mohair knitting yarn as is possible. This will ensure that the mohair yarn can fuse with the wool roving fibers. Don't worry too much if one or two escape. Those loose threads will enhance the soft, delicate nature of the flower. If too many escape, simply needle felt them back into position once the flower has dried.

Things You Will Need to Complete This Tutorial

• Sheet of White A 3 Paper
• Flower template
• A chopping board
• Pen
• Cling wrap
• A marble or wooden chopping board
• Merino wool roving
• Warm soapy water
• a squeeze bottle with a small nozzle (Hair dye bottle works incredibly well)
• Bamboo Sushi Mat
• Elastic band
• Scissors
• Small quantity Mohair knitting yarn

Step 1: Draw the Template

Begin by drawing a heart shaped petal, combine three of them to form one layer as shown.

Remember to allow for shrinkage of around 40 percent when drawing your layers.

Draw three of the layers the same size and make one layer slightly larger.

Alternatively, zoom into the images on this page and transfer them to a piece of paper.

Step 2: Cling Wrap the Template

Put the drawn template onto a wooden or marble chopping board. Cover in cling wrap to prevent it from getting wet during the process.

Step 3: Trace Over the Lines of the Template With Warm Soapy Water

Scroll to Continue

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Step 4: Gather Together the Required Wool Roving and Mohair Yarn

Step 5: Trace Over the First Wet Lines on the Template With the Mohair Yarn

Step 6: Edge All 4 Layers With the Mohair Yarn

Step 7: Fill the Petals With a Fine Layer of Merino Wool Fibers

Step 8: Curve the Fibers Into Each Petal

See the photos above and below for an example of how to curve the fibers.

Step 9: Fill the Fibers So That They Touch the Mohair Edging

The fibers should fit the curve of the petal.

Step 10: Fill the Petals With a Fine Layer of Fibers

Step 11: Blend With Contrasting Merino Wool Fibers

Blend the fibers for effect.

Step 12: Fill Any Gaps Within the 4D Layers

After this, your second layer will be complete.

Step 13: Add a Few Contrasting Fibers for Decoration

Don't add too much fiber. Too much thickness will result in a thick heavy felt flower without the desired wispiness.

Step 14: Dampen Down the Fibers With Warm Soapy Water

Step 15: Pat Down the Fibers With Your Fingers

You'll want to carefully press the damp fibers down.

Step 16: Smooth Any Loose Fibers on the Edges

Use your finger to smooth the fibers into a nice petal shape.

Step 17: Cover With Bubble Wrap

Make sure to cover the project bubble-side-down.

Step 18: Wet the Smooth Surface With Soapy Water and Rub Gently

Step 19: Remove the Bubble Wrap

Step 20: Keep the Edges Ship-Shape

Retouch the edges as needed to keep them neat.

Step 21: Cover Again With the Bubble Wrap

Step 22: Remove the Bubble Wrap

Next, carefully remove the wrap again. Have your sushi mat nearby.

Step 23: Lift the Petals off the Cling-Wrap and Place Them on the Sushi Mat

Step 24: Roll Up the Sushi Mat With the Layers Inside

Step 25: Secure With a Rubber Band and Roll About Ten Times

Step 26: Keep Rotating the Sushi Mat and Roll Ten Times, Then Repeat

Make sure to rotate the layers inside the sushi mat between each set of rolls.

Step 27: Drop All Four Layers Into a Bowl of Hot Water

Step 28: Then Drop Into a Bowl of Cold Water

Step 29: Repeat the Hot and Cold Water Once More

Step 30: Rinse and Squeeze Out Excess Water Gently

Step 31: Throw the Layers Down Onto a Hard Surface to 'Full'

A countertop makes a good hard surface for this part.

Step 32: Iron the Layers Flat but Don't Dry Them

Don't iron these layers to the point of dryness; they should remain damp for shaping.

Step 33: Stack the Layers and Join Them Together

Put the three smaller layers on top of the larger one, then join them together with needle and thread.

Step 34: Sew the Four Layers Together

Take the thread back to the lower side.

Step 35: Grasp the Petals Together in One Hand

See the photo above for an example of how to do this.

Step 36: Wrap an Elastic Band Around the Base of the Flower

Step 37: Once Dry, Sew Through All Four Layers and Remove the Elastic Band

Sew through the back of the flower as shown in the photo above.

Step 38: Open the Damp Petals and Shape as Desired

Now your flower is complete!