How the Artfelt® process works
Using the Artfelt® method of felting, your clothes dryer is the source of agitation for wet fibers. The Artfelt® paper is used as a base for your felted piece and holds the fibers in position while the actual felting process takes place in the dryer. In the end, when your piece is completely felted, the Artfelt® paper is dissolved and you are left with an original piece of felted material.
Since the Artfelt® method requires the unique paper to create felt, the method is best used for creating flat pieces of felt – such as scarves, table runners, wall hangings, and fabric for cut and sew projects. In more advanced instruction manuals, you will learn how to use the paper to create multi-dimensional items. One thing the Artfelt® method does not lend itself to is three-dimensional animals and figurines. For this, you will want to use the needle felting technique.
The whole Artfelt® process is quite simple and can be broken into four easy steps:
- Position the wool fibers and tack them into the Artfelt®Paper.
- Prepare your piece for the felting process by getting it wet and rolling it up with plastic sheeting.
- Felt your piece in the dryer.
- Dissolve the paper.