During the half term holiday, Robyn and I spent several afternoons dyeing , carding and felting fleece. We dyed the fleece in two batches, one yellow and one red. First we mordanted the wool with a few tablespoons of vinegar and left it to stand in boiling water for about ten minutes. This process allows the dye to bond permanently to the wool, making it colourfast. We rinsed the wool and covered it again with boiling water.
We then used some food colouring which had gone beyond its use by date (I knew I was keeping it for something) and added it untill we like the colour. We left it to bubble away for about five minutes and then turned the heat off and left it to stand for another five.After that we rinsed the wool and left it to dry.The colours are amazingly bright, and at least with food colouring not too toxic.
Once dry, it was carded and ready to be made into felt.
I made a square of yellow felt and cut out some Easter chicks which I have threaded to decorate an Easter tree.I have also threaded some little hearts from my first batch of homemade felt.
Robyn is busy decorating a hair bobble with long strips of her own felt...pictures to follow
WOW look at that red fleece! great work you two!
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