----- Original Message -----

From: Pat & Ken MIller

To: AussieFeltmakers@...

Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 4:53 PM

Subject: Re: [AussieFeltmakers] lessons

Hello all. Very chilly here in Oberon today but sunny so not so bad but only 5 degrees right now. I find I have no problem needle felting a wet felt while it is wet. Adding embellishment or fixing up holes.  As far  a needle felted bag, it is 90% felted so a little rubbing by hand with soap and water then fulling in the washing machine on a hand wash cycle will make it as durable as a wet felted bag. All my hats are needle felted then wet felted, the wet felting involves just 10 or 20 minutes of hand rubbing with a plastic bag over my hand, not rolling at all. A well needled felted hat is very durable and cannot be pulled apart. Surface should be smooth, not fluffy. My hats are made using 4 thin layers, each layer 90% to the previous layer. If layers are too thick and not needled  enough you will have a too soft hat. Bags can be made the same way. Two dollar shops have foam rolls for using under sleeping bags, they make a perfect resist for needle felting or wet felting. The foam has silver on one side that can be peeled off. On another note, I sold over $800.00 worth of hats and bags and place mats at the local Art Gallery Gift shop. I would love to join the bags swap. Please add me to the list. Pat Miller.