Hey Everyone, welcome back to Stash Blasting Wednesday.

So I didn’t do a very good job of using up any of the stash today, in fact I have increased the stash of all kinds of wool fibres since I was at a fibre retreat the last few days.

Yesterday I returned from the 2nd annual fibre retreat sponsored by The Purple Sock of Coldwater, Ontario. Tuesday was the last day of the retreat and there is always a surprise workshop in the morning. Last year it was creating something with a felted sweater. I made an Upcycled Sweater Bag which I talked about on Story Time Monday this week. This year we made little felted balls.

I was introduced to wet felting today and loved it. Now I will be torn between which to do – wet or dry felting. Both are so different that I don’t think there will be a problem and each will have it’s own application for me.

We made little spongy balls out of 100% spun wool and then dropped them in the hot water to soak that had dish soap added. Wool felts much better when soap is involved.

When they were totally saturated we rolled them between our palms, very gently at first and then once they began to firm up with a bit more force. It was really amazing to feel the wool develop into a firm ball.

Once dry they can be embellished with beads, yarn, fabric markers, sequins or buttons – the sky is the limit. Nancy our instructor makes all kinds of  colourful and unique jewellery using these little felted balls. They can also be made into great Christmas decorations and I am hoping to use them as embellishments on my art quilts.

So easy and fun. Great to do with a group of friends or while sitting in front of the TV.

I know I will be making more.

Happy Quilting!