The Making of a Handmade Felt Bag
01
Layering and Felting with Soapy Water
The process begins by laying multiple crisscrossed layers of wool fibers onto a template, carefully arranging them to create subtle blended color effects. Once the fibers are in place, they are moistened with warm soapy water and gently pressed to release air and encourage the fibers to interlock. The same steps are repeated on the reverse side, layer by layer, until both the thickness of the felt and the color transitions reach the desired effect.
02
Folding, Trimming, and Hand-Felting
Next, the excess fibers extending beyond the edges of the template are folded over and pressed down, with any overly long fibers trimmed away to ensure balanced edges without loose strands. The entire wool pack is then hand-rolled and rubbed repeatedly, which gradually felts the fibers together and increases the density of the material.
03
Rinsing and Setting the Form
After the shape has formed, the felted bag body is rinsed thoroughly in alternating hot and cold water to remove all traces of soap. This step also helps the fibers shrink further and lock tightly into place. The result is a seamless, sturdy structure with a firm, smooth surface. The bag body is then air-dried completely.
04
Needle-Felted Embellishments
Once dry, the piece enters the decorative stage. Using needle felting techniques, the artisan sculpts three-dimensional details directly onto the felt surface. This allows for intricate embellishments—from lifelike animal figures to raised, sculptural textures—bringing character and individuality to each piece. Needle felting also provides the opportunity to refine or repair small imperfections from the wet-felting stage, ensuring that every finished bag is not only durable but also a unique work of art.
