Recycle Felt Rests And Make A Sweet Gift

No matter if you’re just starting out or if you’re an experienced felt maker. Whether something goes wrong with a project or you’ve made a pre-felt and didn’t use it all, there are always felt rests. Mine keep increasing! I have lots of bags with pieces in all colors and sizes. And I tell everyone who’s ever attended one of my workshops not to throw anything away. The way I see it, wool is too precious to land in the garbage bin.

But, of course, what’s the point in collecting them if you just keep having bigger bags? So, here’s an idea of a sweet and easy project you can make with something like a bag that went wrong (I have lots of those too). All you need is a piece with 10 to 12 cm, depending on the template you choose.

Here are a couple of shapes I suggest. I used to make keyholders and magnets like this. They can be sweet and original gifts!

And these are some of the pieces I have in those bags I was talking about ? Draw a silhouette you like on a piece of cardboard. Just make sure it doesn’t have too many details, because it’ll be more difficult to cut, and after felting it again you’ll lose the details anyway.

I’ve cut three clouds in different colors to make a set of magnets. Notice how you can see the cuts clearly. That doesn’t look particularly nice, so I’ll felt the clouds again to make the margins soft and round. 

TIP: Don’t feel like felting by hand? No problem! Just put them in the washing machine next time you wash some sweaters.

These are the keyrings I use and a strip I’ve cut from a flexible magnetic sheet. You can cut them easily with a pair of scissors in any size or shape you want. But you can also use a regular magnet.

After felting your shapes again, leave to dry, and glue your magnet on the back. These are 2 x 5 cm. Or make a hole and insert the keyring.

And that’s it! 

TIP: The angel wings (on the top photo), the heart and the butterfly look particularly cool as keyholders.

Have fun and share your projects!