Wet Felted Boots / Master Class 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.

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 'glueing' the Soles on

Waxed thread for stitching

Make use of a pair of shoe lasts, Wellington boots or feet in the size of boot you will be making.

• 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.

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.

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. ,

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.