We have covered buying the roving and how to wet felt with kids – now let's make something!

HOW TO MAKE FELT BALLS

To Prepare the Roving: Pull off layers of roving and roll it into a ball, pull off another layer of roving and wrap it in the opposite direction around your tiny object. Continue wrapping layers at 90 degrees angle to each other until you have an object about 2 inches in diameter.

If you are planning on making a lot of felt balls, prepare all of the roving first so the balls turn out about the same size.

To Prepare the Water: When I am felting on my own, I make my water as hot as possible. When I am felting with my girls, I make the water as warm as I think they are comfortable with. Mix in a generous squirt of dish liquid with the water. I have used many different varieties of dish soap from Dove to Meyers and Green Works and they all seem to work fine.

Getting Wet: Dunk the wrapped roving into the soapy water. Gently squeeze and shape into a ball. As the roving begins to shape into a ball, roll it between the palms of your hands. The roving will slowly begin to congeal and become smaller and harder. Repeat dunking, squeezing, rolling, and adding roving until you achieve your desired sized ball.

Rinse: Rinse in cold, clean water and let dry. Drying usually takes a day or two.

Read more here for other creative felt crafts with the kids. 

Post by Helen Bird : www.curlybirds.typepad.com