How do you felt old wool sweater?

Sandy
by Sandy

11-17-2021, I have 4 wooden dining room chairs, the felt pads I put on them is starting to come off already, I just got these chairs 4 weeks ago. NOW I see that you can FELT 100% WOOL, WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO BE BETTER? Do not want to use the one with a nail with either plastic or felt on the end. Afraid to crack wooden leg.

How do you felt a sweater? Googled and it said to wash in HOT WATER, which I did, didn't shrink that much, it (sweater label) plainly said 100% wool with a sheep on the label! I will wash it again in the hottest water I have, and let lit dry for a few days.

ANBODY OUT THERE WITH ANY IDEAS, WOULD RATHER ONLY USE FELT AND NOTHING WITH NAILS...AFRAID IT WILL CRACK THE WOOD ON THE LEGS.

Thank you.....in advance.....


  14 answers
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Nov 17, 2021

    Here's a tutorial on how you can make your own felt pads using a sweater: https://www.cucicucicoo.com/2018/09/diy-chair-felt-pads-upcycling/


    Another thought: I found at my local hardware store that they sell just about every size of rubber feet for chairs and stools imaginable. So that's what I ended up doing with all of our dining room chairs.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 17, 2021

    • Use a hot-water wash, a cold-water rinse, and the usual amount (per load) of whatever laundry soap you have on hand.
    • Set your home washing machine for the load setting that will allow free movement of your goods, but don’t use too much water or they will float at the top and not get enough agitation or friction. If you desire a thicker, more shrunken finish, wash the sweaters in a load with your regular laundry. The weight of jeans and towels agitates the wool and enhances the felting process.
    • Dry the sweaters in the dryer on high heat. This step tightens the felt further, and sometimes makes felt that lacks body become full of it!
    • If, after one cycle of washing and drying, you still haven’t achieved the desired felted texture, try repeating the process one or twice more.
    • After your sweaters have felted enough to hold a crisp edge when cut, remove them promptly from the dryer, smooth them out, and stack them flat to store until you’re ready to use them. This keeps wrinkles at bay and the need for ironing to a minimum. It also allows for maximum visibility of your material palette.

    Even with the most complete and detailed instructions, felting is an inexact science. The very nature of felting is unpredictable, and two sweaters with the same fiber content may give two very different results. I stress that you must check your sweaters frequently during the felting process, or you may discover your wool has shrunk too much and too densely. After an item has crossed that line, there’s nothing you can do. Felting is an irreversible process, but remember that no matter the final result of your felting, there is a use for it somewhere.

    • Sandy Sandy on Nov 18, 2021

      11-18-21....The 100% wool sweater I bought, IS NOT DENSE ENOUGH BY ANY MEANS......and I am not wasting any more hot water....

      OH BOO HOO. MIGHT JUST TRY HOMEROAD THE SEE WHAT THEY HAVE, THANKS A LOT ANYWAY. BE SAFE....

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Nov 17, 2021

    Hi I use these https://amzn.to/3kNAaPX on the bottom of my furniture with absolutely no issues and I have new floors.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Nov 17, 2021

    you can buy the felt pads or even plastic ones that won't hurt any type floor it won't wear out as fast as wool will

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Nov 17, 2021

    Truthfully, the felt pads that Homeroad suggested are a more substantial felt then making your own, plus the manufacturing process is consistent in quality. Homemade felt tends to wear out faster so you'll be replacing them more often.

  • Tuula - Color Me Thrifty Tuula - Color Me Thrifty on Nov 17, 2021

    I personally don't think that homemade felt will hold up very well. Good quality felt pads should do the trick. No all felt pads are created equal. I've also seen rubber foot covers in many different sizes as well.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Nov 18, 2021

    Hello. Sweaters have can different densities, yarns with different quality fibers getting precise results can be frustrating. I use felted sweaters for crafting only.

    Finding a slip on chair slide might be an option.


    https://www.amazon.com/MelonBoat-Protectors-Furniture-Glides-3-6-4-15cm/dp/B077M8CJBS/ref=asc_df_B077M8CJBS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241923060470&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12328327679664023143&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008412&hvtargid=pla-396880858723&psc=1

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Nov 18, 2021

    Add 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap to the water, and then throw in the pillowcase with a few pairs of jeans. Turn the machine on and let it fill with water. Once the machine starts churning, start checking the progress every few minutes. Each sweater will felt at a different pace.

  • Annie Annie on Nov 18, 2021

    Were the felt pads you had under there thin ones? I ask because if you look around, some stores sell felt pads for the legs of chairs and they are really quite thick! Like about 3/16" thick.

    That's what we use and they have lasted for years

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 18, 2021

    Hi, You buy a felting tool and keep pushing it in and out if the wool jumper.

  • Sandy Sandy on Nov 19, 2021

    11-19-2021 THANK YOU ALL I FOUND WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR,....

  • Maura White Maura White on Nov 22, 2021

    Add heat to it too - use a blow dryer. I've felted wool balls for laundry and yes I washed the wool, but the full felting process happened in the dryer.

  • You can buy felt pads that adhere on, they have a sticky side. Honestly, it might save you a lot of headaches than dealing with a sweater. Felting involves much more than hot water and in the end, each end you create might end up different sizes making for wobbly chairs.

  • Sandy Sandy on Dec 02, 2021

    thank you all, RESOLVED.....RESOLVED.....

    X-PROTECTOR ANTI-SLIP FURNITURE PADS....

    ''''''BEST THING SINCE WHOLE WHEAT BREAD''''''