How to Wet Felt a Mobile Phone Pouch

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

Easy Wet Felting Project

This simple wet felting tutorial has been designed for those new to wet felting.

The template sizes here were calculated to accommodate my Samsung phone, but you can design your own if required. Trace around your own phone and add about 40 percent more for shrinkage.

I do this very simply. I draw around the phone, scan the drawing, and print the copy at 40 percent to 50 percent more using my printer setting.

Things You Will Need

The template used to make this mobile phone pouch was made from two thin but firm sheets of plastic. You could use a piece of bubble wrap, or you could use underfloor layment. This template is suitable for a Samsung Galaxy Ace or a similar size mobile phone.

• Plastic Template: 21 x 11cm x 13 x 11cm
• Bubble wrap
• Dishwashing liquid or soap
• Hot water
• Kettle
• Washboard – or you may use a sink or draining board
• Merino Wool Roving or Merino Tops suitable for felting
• A press stud or a piece of Velcro for closing the mobile phone pouch
• A squeeze or spray bottle

Step 1: Make the Templates

• Cut two templates using the measurement below.

Step 2: Create the First Layer

• Put both templates down onto a water-resistant surface.
• Put down the first layer of Merino wool fibers as shown.

Step 3: Use 3 Layers of Merino Wool Fibers

• Place three layers of Merino wool fibers down onto each template.
• Remember to change the direction of their placement as you place each layer down.
• Each layer should be placed at 90 degrees to the previous layer.
• Ensure that you leave sufficient overlap on both templates to provide a little extra to turn in the edges on both of them.
• The shorter template should have a much wider overlap, and these will be wrapped right around the back of the long template to create the pouch.

Step 4: Cover With Curtain Net or Bubble Wrap

• Place a piece of curtain netting over the fibers.
• Try not to displace the fibers.

Step 5: Wet With Hot Soapy Water

• Wet the fibers on the long template with hot soapy water.

Step 6: Rub Well

• Rub the curtain net or the bubble wrap until the fibers below are wet and flattened.
• If using bubble wrap, wet the surface to facilitate easy movement on the top.

Step 7: Lift the Netting

• Gently remove the netting, trying not to displace the fibers below.

Step 8: Flip the Project Over

• Turn the project over.

Step 9: Neaten the Edges

• Neaten the edges by folding them in, only using the template as a guide.

Step 10: Cover With Bubble Wrap

• Cover the neatened edges with bubble wrap and rub well.

Step 11: Rub the Flattened Fibers

• The fibers should be well rubbed as shown.

Step 12: Make the Second Template

• Complete the second template.
• Cover with curtain net or bubble wrap, wet and rub well.

Step 13: Remove the Net

• Gently lift off the bubble wrap or curtain netting.
• Take care not to displace the fibers below.

Step 14: Turn the Template Over

• Turn the project over and prepare to neaten the loose fibers.

Step 15: Neaten the Flat Side

• Neaten the flat side of the template by folding it under the template as shown.
• Use the template as a guide.
• Once you have neatened it, place the template on top of the straight edge, as shown.

Step 16: Prepare to Flap

• Place the flap on a flat surface.

Step 17: Make the Flap

• Lay a piece of card alongside the half-completed flap.

Step 18: Lay Out the Long Piece

• Lay the long flat piece on top of the flap matching it as shown.
• The template should be placed between the two pieces as shown.

Step 19: Seal the Join

• Slightly overlap the two pieces using the fibers to seal the join.

Step 20: Attach the Flap

• Wrap with loose wet fibers as shown.

Step 21: Join the Flap

• The flap should look now look like this.

Step 22: Cover With Bubble Wrap

• Wet the surface of the bubble wrap and rub well.

Step 23: Perform a Pinch Test

• Pinch the felted fibers to see if the fibers move.
• Continue rubbing until the fibers are fully felted together.

Step 24: Put on a Board

• Place on a waterproof table or washing board as shown.

Step 25: Wet With Hot Water

• Pour a small quantity of very hot water onto the surface of the project.

Step 26: Shrink the Fibers

• Turn the project over and repeat the hot water treatment.

Step 27: Shock With Cold Water

• Increase the shrinkage by shocking the fibers with cold water.

Step 28: Remove the Template

• Remove both templates.

Step 29: Shrink the Pouch

• Begin by gently rubbing the pouch on a washboard or draining board.
• Rub until you can see you achieve the desired size and shape of the pouch.
• Place your fingers inside the pouch or use a piece of bubble wrap rolled up inside the pouch to prevent the two sides from inadvertently fusing together.

Step 30: Turn Inside Out

• Rinse with warm and then cold water,
• Squeeze the water out, shape and allow it to dry.
• You may wish to turn the pouch inside out but check to see which side you prefer.
• This pouch was designed to be turned inside out, but you may decide not to do so.
• The pouch should end up with a nice seamless edge.
• You may find it helpful to gently press the pouch with a steam iron once you have pulled it into shape.

Hints

• Leave the edges of your template straight if you prefer to have a straight-edged pouch.
• You may find it easier to make it without rounded edges.
• Note that I did not round the top edge of my pouch when I placed the template on the fibers.
• I rounded them off by trimming the felt with a pair of scissors. I rubbed the rough edges on the washboard with some hot soapy water to neatly finish them.
• It may be helpful to place a rolled-up piece of bubble wrap into your pouch when you rub the fibers on the washboard.
• It may help to prevent the pouch from going out of shape as you rub.
• It will also help prevent the two sides from sticking to each other during the felting process.

© 2013 Sally Gulbrandsen

Comments

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on March 01, 2013:

Hi Kathryn, glad you could stop by. Hope your interest in felting will go from strength to strength.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on March 01, 2013:

Hello Kathryn Stratford, I am glad you could stop by. Felting is a fascinating craft, every item is unique, only limited by ones imagination. I always say that there is no right or wrong way to do it, have fun experimenting and work out a method which works for you. Best wishes Sally

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on March 01, 2013:

I have never done that kind of a project. Very creative and practical!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on February 28, 2013:

Hi Natasha, definitely a simply way of making some protection for one's precious phone and a very individual one too. You can be as creative as you like once you get to grips with the method. The wonderful thing about felting is that there simply is no wrong way to do it - experiment with the fibers and you will work our a method which suits you. Try exploring my hub on felting on a balloon for your next hat! https://discover.hubpages.com/art/How-to-felt-a-Bi...

Thanks for the pin and for stopping by.

Natasha from Hawaii on February 27, 2013:

This is the only type of felting I have done before, but I made a really crazy looking hat about...15 years ago. Wow. It doesn't seem that long ago! I've never thought to felt a phone pouch, but my phone could sure use the protection! Pinning.