Crafting with felt

" Making decorations and toys for children from this sturdy material "

Sturdy, versatile and yet soft and cuddly - that's what makes felt so special. For these reasons it is acraft material very popular as a craft material. The material can not only be used to make beautiful decorations, but also toys and useful items for children. We show you some great craft ideas with felt that your children are sure to love.

A look back in history

Many craft materials have become so commonplace that few people ask where they actually came from. To find out more about felting, we actually have to travel a long way back in history. According to myths and legends, felt already existed around 3,000 B.C. However, this could not be proven. The first well-preserved felt finds lead us to Asia. Tapestries and clothing were already being felted there in 400 BC. It is assumed that the felting technique was brought to China via the caravans and eventually reached Greece and the rest of Europe thanks to lively trade. Felting reached its peak in the Middle Ages. This valuable material is still used today. Whether you make it yourself or use it as a finished product for crafting and decorating.

Felting with children is not difficult

It is not rocket science to make felt from wool. Toddlers and pre-school children can quickly learn and carry out this technique under supervision. It combines several positive aspects. On the one hand, children learn patience, fine motor skills and concentration. On the other hand, children experience what happens when wool is smoothed, pressed and stroked in combination with soapy water. If you want to do wet felting with your children, you will need the following materials:

Felting wool in different colors

Fleece wool (preferably untreated in different colors)
Olive soap
towel
carpet pad
Bowl with warm water
Bowl with water and vinegar

Before the felt crafting can begin, place a waterproof mat on the table as a precaution. Each child can then place their bowl, base and materials on this.

The first step is to take a grater and rub the soap into the warm water. This makes it dissolve more easily and quickly. Make sure that the water always stays nice and warm. It won't work in cold water.

Felting is not difficult at all

Then take the desired amount of fleece wool in your hand. This must be dipped into the water and then rubbed between soapy hands. This technique felts the wool and ultimately creates this textile material felt. Finally, always rinse briefly in vinegar water and leave to dry.

A useful tip:

Do not use soft soap or washing-up liquid. This is not good for children's sensitive skin. Lubricating soaps, such as the olive soap mentioned above, are very suitable. For small children and beginners, the fleece wool mentioned above is perfect as a starter. It felts very easily and quickly.

Olivenseife ist hervorragend zum Filzen geeignet

Olive soap is ideal for felting

Child-friendly craft ideas with felt

Felt balls for necklaces and garlands

No matter whether you are making decorative items or jewelry. Wet felting basically always follows the same pattern. It is certainly a completely different and new way of crafting. After all, the actual crafting material is made by yourself. If you want to felt, you can of course choose from a whole range of different ideas. Let's start quite simply: with felt beads. All you need in addition are wooden beads and string.

First of all, lay out a piece of wool sheet. Now pluck the edges to loosen the fibers and make the wool easier to felt. Now dip the center of the wool into the soapy water. However, only moisten it slightly. Then use your hands to start forming a ball. Keep moistening it lightly and keep circling to form a firm shape. Gradually increase the pressure so that the ball becomes firmer. If it seems too small, a second layer of wool can be placed on top.

In this way, you can create different balls in different colors. These are wonderful as a basis for decoration and jewelry. Toddlers can now thread these balls with colorful wooden beads to make necklaces and garlands.

Finger puppets to play with

Making finger puppets from felt is not much more difficult, but of course requires a little more skill. The little ones can either try this on their own around their own fingers or with your help.

Finger puppets made from felt

The desired color of fleece wool must first be placed around the finger. Then place a second layer across it and finally a third layer, as at the beginning from top to bottom. With your free hand, gradually press and massage the wool around your finger with soapy water. Gently at first and later with considerably more pressure. Continue this process until the felt finger puppet is finished as a blank. Rinse the piece briefly in vinegar water and set aside to dry.

Last but not least, use your imagination to decide how this finger puppet should be designed. The eyes, beak or mouth can be attached to the finished felt pieces using a felting needle. The child's imagination and preference is clearly the deciding factor here. In this way, you can create different dolls.

Making decorations with felt

But it's not just jewelry or small toys that can be made using the felt technique. Lovely decorations for the children's room are also possible. Here too, there are different levels of difficulty, so you can decide for yourself which ones your child can already do.

Homemade felt decorations

For beginners, we recommend making small coasters in the shape of fruit and vegetables. To do this, simply shape the desired amount of fleece wool into a solid sheet by pressing, smoothing and kneading rather than forming a ball or doll. Then simply cut out your chosen shape, for example an apple or a pear, and you have a pretty decoration for the kitchen.

Making vases from old bottles and felt

Used bottles are very versatile and can be embellished using the felt technique. Basically, the process is similar to the steps for the finger puppet. Only in this case, it is not the finger that is wrapped, but the used glass bottle.

To add more variety, you can use different colors this time. The result looks best when the colors overlap.

So könnten Ihre gefilzten Vasen aussehen

Your felted vases could look like this

Place layer after layer of wool around the bottle and apply the felting technique. Wash out the end result thoroughly, leave to dry and finally place around the bottle. The construction can then be secured with a string.

As an additional decoration, simply make a few small strings of wooden beads that can also be placed around the belly or neck of the bottle. The result is a beautiful and truly unique vase.