Wet Felted Boots Master Class Tutorial
Wet Felted Boots and Speedy Sewing Awl
A Little About This Felt Making Tutorial!
This tutorial is aimed at the more advanced felt maker who has already understood the basics of wet felting and would like to learn a bit more.
In this lesson, we will deviate slightly from what is considered to be the 'normal' way of laying down wool fibers to an alternate method here where the roving is gently teased apart to form a flat sheet which will be used to cover two of the four layers.
The second and the fourth layers are down in the 'normal' way where the wool is plucked from a length of wool roving and then placed down in a fine but even layer over the much thicker layer below.
You will discover that template making is not complicated when you have available to you, Wellington boots to use as a guide. An easy to adapt free template has been included with this tutorial.
Template measurements included here are for a ladies size 7 UK boot but these can easily be adapted using different size Wellington boots or a Shoe lasts. Alternatively, you may wish to draw around your own feet.
This tutorial demonstrates how complex templates are not always necessary to achieve the best result. On completion, you should be a pair of boots which not only have a tongue but laces and rubber soles. They should be sturdy enough to withstand general wear and tear, rain and snow.
The wrap round around rubber soles will be glued and stitched to the base of the boots.
Eyelets
Things You Will Need to Complete This Class:-
500 grams Wool Roving in color or colors of your choice.
Warm soapy water.
Curtain netting
Bubble-wrap
A large bamboo or plastic window blind
A pair of Wellington Boots and Shoe Lasts in the same size as your feet (Alternatively use may use your own feet)
Thick plastic sheeting on which you can draft your template.
Pair of Scissors
Boot Laces
Speed Lace Hooks and/or Metal Eyelets
A pair of Rubber Soles a size larger than your current size boots. These should preferably be designed specifically for use with wet felted boots.
Speedy Stitcher Awl for sewing on the Soles
Pebeo Gedeo Liquid Latex for 'gluing' the Soles on
Waxed thread for stitching
Hemline Eyelet Starter Kit
Place the Wellington Boots down onto a Sheet of Thick Plastic
Check the Size of the Wellington Boot Against the Template.
Boot Template Measurements / Uk Size 7 Boots
The Template Which Should Be Placed on the Fold
Transfer Drawing to a Thick Sheet of Plastic as Shown Below. Note That the Toe Area Has Been Shortened and the Leg Width Made Wider.
Make Use of a Shoe Last, Wellington Boots or Make Use Your Own Feet!
Make use of a pair of shoe lasts, Wellington boots or feet in the size of boot you will be making.
Getting the Tongue of the Shoe Right!
The toe area has deliberately been kept to just a little more than a rounded end whilst the width of the leg has been increased. This additional width will be taken up by the tongue. Without the additional space you will have insufficient space to accommodate a tongue.
Layer 1 (White)
- Begin by pulling off4 lengths of white roving. Each piece should run the whole length of the template with a just slight overlap which will be turned over to the other side of the template.
- Four lengths should be sufficient to completely cover the template but it will very much depend on how little or how large the template being used is.
- Next, run two fingers down the 1st length of the wool roving to open up the fibers.
- Gently tease the fibers apart and spread the wool flat. (Please see image below)
- Take care to spread the wool evenly. There should be no gaps anywhere. If there are any, fill them with additional fibers.
- Repeat this process until one side of the template has been completely covered. Leave an overlap of wool on all sides.
- Cover the wool with netting, wet with warm soapy water and smooth the fibers right up to the edge of the template.
- Turn the template over and fold the excess wool in on all sides.
- Repeat this procedure on the other side using another four lengths of wool roving.
- Fold the edges over neatly.
- The template is now covered completely in a fairly thick layer of white wool.
- Layer 1 is now complete.
Tease the Wool Roving Apart to Form One Layer of Wool as Below:-
Cover with Curtain Netting, Wet with Warm Soapy Water.
Flatten the Fibers and Smooth up to the Edges of the Template with Warm Soapy Water
Layer 2. Completely Cover the First White Layer with a Layer of Fibers as Shown Below
Turn over the Edges as Shown Below
2nd Layer Using Blue Fibers
Layer 2 Second Side, Neatening the Edges
Layer 2 with Edges Folded over and Neatened.
Layer 2
Layer 3, Laying down a Fresh Layer of Roving as in Layer 1
3rd Layer, Both Sides Covered and Awaiting the Neatening of the Edges.
Layer 4, Covering the Template in a Fine Layer of Wool
Wetting the Fibers with Warm Soapy Water
Final Layer Before Turning over the Edges.
Edges Turned Over, Final Layer.
Cover with Bubble Wrap and Rub All 4 Layers Firmly on Both Sides.
Remove the Bubble Wrap, Perform a Pinch Test to Check the Fibers for Stability
Fold the Project in Half and Cut the Template in Half
The Two Layers Cut Through and Now Two Separate Pieces
A Bamboo Blind Is a Felt Makers 'Best Friend'
Two Boots Laying Side by Side on the Bamboo Blind Before Rolling
Roll in Several Directions, Using the Large Bamboo Mat
One Boot Rolled and the Other One Now Showing Shrinkage
Place the Boot on a Foot or Last and Shape the Folds as Shown
Shaping the Tongue Before Cutting
Comparing Shrinkage and Shape Against the Other Boot
Another View
View of the Folds in Both Boots
Depth of Fold Should Be About About 1 Inch
Cut Straight down into the Two Outer Folds to Form the Tongue
Trim the Top of the Boot and Rub the Edges with Hot Soapy Water.
Trim off Excess Pieces Around the Top of the Boot
Image Shows How the End Result Matches the Original Template
Draw Around the Boots on a Sheet of Paper
One Foot Drawn onto the Sheet of Paper
Perfect Wrap around Rubber soles for this project can be sourced from the Ukraine
Make a Pdf Using the Free Camscanner Download for Your Mobile Phone or Tablet
Draw around the completed boot.
Photograph the template on your tablet or phone using the free Camscanner app. Use this to convert your drawing to a pdf in seconds. Contact the Seller using the link above to Etsy and send her the pdf file of your boot. Request that she send you the appropriate size sole using the file you send her. Don't forget to indicate your preference when it comes to the color you would lik
The sole your order will usually be one size larger than your shoe size. The seller should be able to send the right size using this info, avoiding any unnecessary inconvenience and disappointment from both sides.
Delivery is usually within 7 days.
Measurements for Ordering the Soles for the Boots
Make a Fold at the Top of the Boots!
If making a fold over top edge of the boots, you should fold the boot over at the top and only then trim the tongue to match the top edge of the boot.
Reshape the Boots at This Stage.
Wet the boots after cutting the tongue and massage the cuts with hot soapy water and shape to fit your own feet.
Finally, put a shoe last into the boots and allow them to dry before glueing and attaching the fixings. ,
Folding over the Top to Create a Different Style of Boot
To Achieve the Best Result Always Use Shoe Lasts Which Fit Perfectly inside the Rubber Soles
Boots Awaiting Soles, Speed Laces and Eyelets
Pebeo Gedeo Liquid Latex
How to Attach the Boots to the Soles
The boots can be attached to the soles with Pebeo Gedeo Liquid Latex. Use a Speedy Stitcher Awl and waxed thread to sew the boot to the sole. Waxed thread and Fintex Board can be purchased with the soles from Etsy. Please see the link to the soles above.
Begin by cutting two Soles, from the Fintex Board.
Paint a thin layer of liquid latex onto the rubber sole. Wait as per instructions on the container and then place the board on top of the latex layer. Repeat with another layer of latex on the upper side of the Fintex Board. Place the felt boot on top of that layer being very careful to line up the components perfectly.
Sew the felt boot onto the sole using the waxed thread and the Speedy Stitcher Awl. This can be a little awkward. I suggest having a practice run with a piece of leather or fabric.
The latex and the board between the sole and the felt will keep the boot soft and waterproof. Don't use glue on the felt it will make the boots stiff and look unsightly.
Speedy Stitcher Awl / Use to Attach Boots to Sole
Speedy Stitcher Awl for Stitching the Soles onto the Boots
How to Use a Speedy Stitcher Awl
Your Feedback Please!
Did you find this tutorial helpful
Questions & Answers
Where do you buy the rubber soles for wet felted boots?
I bought mine from Etsy.
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© 2016 Sally Gulbrandsen
Comments
Dear Sally,
This is just one awesome tutorial, thank you so much for it! I have my boots ready and was lost about the whole sole-thing, but I think I'm ready to go now :) Just one little question, I can't find fintex anywhere near - or only in quantities I will definitely not use up in my whole lifetime -, do you have any suggestions what to use instead?
Where can I find template for felted baby slippers? Thank you
Just started boots today and they look enormous. Hope they shrink as I go. The instructions are very good and easy to follow thank you
Thank you for the very helpful instructions and tutorials, I am in the process of making these boots, and am very inpatient to finish them... For those asking for soles, I bought several pairs (cause I like them so much) of rubber soles, Vibram, made in USA, reaally cheap in comparison with others on etsy and crazy comfortable.... The seller is woolenvy, you can search her and they ship from usa. They are cup soles and very easy to sew/glue on the boots.
I'll let you know! I got in touch with Woolenclogs, the smallest size for those soles is a 40 (all the more reason for me to make thicker felt...) I shall let you know what I come up with.
Thank you
Thanks Sally,
I'll try a local shoe repairer. I'll also see if I can pre-order some 39s from the Etsy seller- was just feeling impatient really! Next time I shall make my felt thicker.
Thanks, Julia
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Hi again Sally,
would you know where I could get the wrap around rubber soles from, other than WoolenClogs? I ordered a pair of size 40s from there but they've turned out to be a bit big (I think my felt could be thicker) I need a 39 and they aren't stocked. I've scoured the internet but not come up with anything that I like as much as these.
Thanks, Julia
Thank you Sally
Hi Sally,
This is a great tutorial, thank you, so many helpful links too.
I've made felt slipper boots before but now want to make boots for outside. As I have quite a lot of wool batts in my collection I'm wondering if you think they'll work as well as the roving would?
I was considering doing the 1st and 3rd layer with batts and the 2nd and 4th with roving.
Thankyou,
Julia
Amazing and beautiful boots
I can see why this Hub won an award! With the photo tutorial and a lot of experience, I imagine anyone could make these boots. I've seen a similar type of boot sold here to the tourists, but yours looks even higher quality. Congratulations on the award.
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Thank you so much for your tutorial. A few months ago I made some felted boots in a workshop and forgot to write everything down. With your tutorial I can make some other ones for my daughter and granddaughter and maybe some for myself.
These boots are beautiful and I'm grateful for your detailed instructions. I'm excited to give them a try.
Amazing tutorial! I still feel bad, that I haven't gotten around to posting mine about sewing the soles to the shoes -- so much work, and now the season has started...
Congrtulations, Sally, on winning a well-deserved Hubbie Award for this amazing hub! You are always a winner in my mind!
Bravo!
Sally, you're among the best deserving hubbers for an award. Congratulations for winning the 2016 Best Hub on Feltmagnet!
Congratulations, Sally for having a winning hub in the Hubbie Awards. I'm always thrilled when someone I know is chosen.
Hi Sally,
Wow, I love the boots! This one is certainly for the Master felters no doubt.
I agree that you should give local classes, as you are a Master at this beautiful craft. Your instructions and photos are precise and easy to follow.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
Hi Sally. This was a fascinating post and your finished product is so professional in design. I would certainly wear them to look stylish.
Skillfully, patiently and beautifully you create magic. Yes, I love to watch the process. How talented you are!
This is another great felting tutorial, Sally! Thanks for sharing it with us. I love the idea of making these boots in a custom color by mixing shades of wool roving. My head is filled with ideas for embellishing these boots even further with embroidery and painting. Thanks again and have a great day!
Very good tutorial, thank you for making it. I've made similar slippers (without the tongue) and boots (separate tongue that had to be felted in separately) :-( and a couple of friends and I will be getting together to follow your tutorial to make these. :-) Thank you also for the link to the soles.
Beautiful! You are so good at planning and creating new ideas. I Tweeted!
Master Class indeed. You left us beginners after about one paragraph. LOL Sorry I'm late....busy Friday and I'm just getting to this. Have a wonderful weekend, Sally!
Wow, Sally, you are a true master. I hope you give local classes wherever you are to share your talent. Beautiful work.
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