5 myths about shrinkage in wet felting

Is there anything more discussed in wet felting than how to get the shrinkage you want? I don’t think so. And it’s kind of obvious, isn’t it? I mean, if wool felts by shrinking, we need to know how much it’ll shrink. Right?

The problem is so many factors influence shrinkage. So, it can all feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have much experience in wet felting yet.

But you won’t feel overwhelmed if you stick to a couple of principles (that are the same every time) and you do something you may be resisting: you make a sample 😉

You may think there’s no need to make one, because you’re trusting some myths that are common on the internet. Let’s have a look at a few of them.

Myth #1: If you use the same wool (breed), your shrinkage rate will always be the same.
Does an 18-micron Merino wool top shrink the same as a 21-micron Merino wool top? Does an 18-micron Merino wool top shrink the same as an 18-micron Merino wool batt, do you think? The answer to both questions is NO.

The shrinkage varies not only for different breeds, but also for a different micron count withing the same breed, and for short (batts) vs long (tops) fiber wool withing the same breed.

Also, remember that wool is a natural fiber, so there can even be some nuances between different wool batches from the same breed and supplier.

Myth #2: The same number of layers gives you the same shrinkage rate.

People lay out wool differently. Some prefer a thicker and others a thinner layout. And thinner layers shrink more than thicker ones. In other words, if you use more wool, your felt will shrink less. More wool can resist shrinkage and create bulk, reducing how much the piece contracts overall.

Myth #3: As long as you full in every direction, your shrinkage rate will be the same horizontally and vertically.

Yes, it’s important to full equally in every direction. But the shrinkage of your piece is also affected by the number of layers. If you have an uneven number of layers, your work will also have an uneven shrinkage, i.e. you’ll have a shrinkage rate horizontally and a different one vertically.

Myth #4: Even if you add décor fibers to your layout, the shrinkage will always be the same.

The type and amount of fiber you add to your layout will impact the way your piece shrinks. Fabric in particular resists shrinkage.

A couple of years ago, when I was felting and selling hats, I added some viscose fiber to the usual amount of wool I used for hat making because I wanted some sheen on my work surface. I was shocked at how much less my hat shrank, and I ended up having to transform it into a different model because it would have been too big otherwise.

So, if you are adding fiber or fabrics to your work, it’s worth doing a quick sample to see how it behaves in the mix. It might surprise you 😊

Myth #5: You should stop fulling when the piece reaches your desired size.
The goal of fulling isn’t to get your piece to a certain size. Your goal should be fulling to completion, to ensure there are no loose fibers and your felt is durable. Stop felting based on firmness and stability, not just dimensions.

And don’t be afraid of over-felting. More often than not, the tendency is to under-felt.

The only way to make sure you reach your desired result, while at the same time fulling your fibers enough is to make a sample (and make sure your sample is correctly fulled as well!).

So, you may be asking yourself what you can trust. In two words: your sample. I know I run the risk of sounding like a broken record, but your sample is really the only thing you can trust.

Why? Because it was made with the wool, micron count, fiber length, number of layers, layout method, fulling method, décor fibers you’re going to use in your project. It was also made with your own hands.

Yes! That’s important. Have you ever noticed how different people felt the same piece during a class and all the pieces turn out different?

So, sampling isn’t just about the wool. It’s about recreating the conditions of your final project, because felting is part science, and part intuition. And the more you play and test, the better you get at predicting the final results.

Every change (new wool, technique or embellishment) adds variables. Experienced felt makers still make samples. It’s not a beginner’s step. It’s a pro’s habit.