Cheryl's Felting Steps:

1.        Invert form on work surface, flat end up (if form doesn’t stand on its own, stand it in a support that will hold it firmly upright).
2.        If using silk cap or hankie, drape very, very thin layer over the form. OR apply silk to the outside of the second layer of wool (steps 5 and 6).
3.        If using wool accent yarn, wet the form and arrange the yarn on it as you wish.
4.        Apply layer 1 of wool in thin strips to the outside of the form, working top to bottom, completely covering the circumference of the form.
5.        Apply layer 2 of wool, like the first, using the same color or a second color.
6.        If applying silk cap/hankie to the outside layer of wool, gently work very, very thin layer over the entire outside layer of wool. If you add silk to the outside of what will be a large felted object or any object you plan to felt very firmly, turn the piece inside out after reaching the soft-felt stage (step 12), to protect the silk.
7.        Cover the entire form with a pantyhose leg and knot at each end so that wool is held firmly against the form.
8.        Add about 1 inch of hot water to the dishpan. Lay the form lengthwise in the pan and gently roll it until all the wool is wet. Keep it moving so that the wet wool doesn’t shift.
9.        Press and roll the entire surface of the form in the pan. Be sure to work the flat end of the form as well. Increase the pressure a bit as you work. Work the form for about 5 minutes, or until the soft-felt stage is reached (the wool fibers will begin to migrate though the pantyhose).
10.        Dump the water and remove the pantyhose.
11.        Slip the soft felt gently off the form.
12.        If needle-felting a surface design, blot the excess water and add design to outside of bag.
13.        Lay the towel on the work surface and place 1 sheet of bubble wrap on it, bubble side up.
14.        Lay the soft felt on the bubble wrap and douse it with hot soapy water.
15.        Place the second sheet of bubble wrap on top, bubble side down.
16.        Roll the whole sandwich up. Roll the bundle back and forth for about a minute. Unroll and check to make sure the insides of your bag aren’t felting together. (In each of the rolling steps, add more soap/hot water as needed and check that layers aren’t felting together.)
17.        Re-roll bundle from the other end and repeat.
18.        Re-roll bundle from one side and repeat, then from the opposite side.
19.        Flip the felt over (you may also want to shift the fold line is, so it doesn’t make a ridge) and repeat the rolling steps from all 4 directions.
20.        Unroll and remove top layer of bubble wrap. Check the felt, and if needed, repeat the rolling steps with just the towel and the bottom layer of bubble wrap.
21.        Decide on shape, do initial shaping, make any cuts needed.
22.        Do final fulling to desired shape. Felt can be stretched, and it will shrink in the direction it is rolled.
23.        When bag is completely felted and fulled, rinse out all soap, then do final rinse in water with a bit of vinegar added.
24.        Do final shaping; let dry as shaped.

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