Use Wool Felt to Accent Your Christmas Craft Projects

If you are creating some Christmas craft projects this year from stockings to tree skirts to table cloths, add some extra appeal by using wool felt. The felt will add texture, dimension, and warmth to make your project stand out this holiday season.

Why Wool Felt Instead of Acrylic Felt?
Although craft or acrylic felt is much cheaper, it lacks the durability and color options of wool felt. Wool felt is often handmade by local artisans and can be purchased at most quilt stores or online. This felt type is more expensive but you only need scraps to accent most Christmas projects.

Ask your local quilt store if they carry wool felt scrap bundles or fat 1/8ths. Hand-dyed woolen felt can produce some very beautiful and unique color variations for your special project.

How Do I Use Wool Felt to Accent My Christmas Craft Project?
Take a look at your project design and choose an element to accent. In the photo example, I accented the Christmas trees in a wall quilt by using various shades of green, brown, and red wool felt. You can definitely combine wool felt with cotton quilting fabrics. Complete the cotton fabric portions first and then add the wool portions.

Be sure to use very sharp scissors when cutting wool felt. Dull scissors may tear the fibers, giving you a ragged edge to your piece. If you want a decorative edge, try using pinking shears.

You can use machine stitching or hand stitching to attach your wool felt accent pieces. Embroidery floss works very well when hand stitching pieces and you can vary your thread thickness by adding more or less floss strands. For machine stitching, try a blanket stitch for a more rustic look.

What if I Don't Sew?
If you do not sew and still want to use wool felt to accent your craft piece, you can use a hot glue gun. For example, you could create wool felt Nativity puppets for a school project. Cut out the basic puppet shapes from the wool felt and squeeze a line of hot glue around the shape at about ¼ inch from the edge. If children are helping with your felt Christmas craft project, be sure to do the hot glue portion for them.

How Do I Care for Wool Felt Projects?
Try a gentle brushing on your project first. If that does not work, a surface wash with a lightly damp washcloth is a good starting point. Try not to rub the wool felt or you may damage it. Lastly, try soaking the project in a sink filled with cool water and then press the water out gently. Let it air dry.