DIY Wool Needle Felting Mat

[magzie]

Has anyone made a wool needle felting mat or have any ideas to share. I'm assuming I would simply wet felt a flat thick wool layout. Do you think it matters what breed of wool I would need to use? Or have you made a mat using other materials (besides foam)? Thank you

[MTRuth]

I would use wool that is more spongy when felted, like some of the down breeds.

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

I made myself a sort of cushion rather than mat, I needed something smaller than the foam blocks I use for bigger pieces. I have a quantity of scoured white merino which I purchased from Wingham Wool years ago now. It is very rough and knotted locks. I sort of needled some together in a "clump" then I carded some more of the merino so that I could coat the cushion in finer fibres and needled it again when it was substantially "together" I wet felted it to consolidate it. Once it was dry (a couple of days in the airing cupboard) I needled it some more. Every time I used it, it becomes more compacted.
I use it now when I am doing 3D needle felting, or small sections that I am going to add to a picture.
My only problem is spending time removing the spare fibres that have become embedded from pieces made on it. I can never be bothered to take the time, though it is necessary from time to time.
It has become quite firm now but at least it doesn't end up stuck to my work like the bits of foam do when my foam blocks start to break down.
I do recall that it has at least 2 broken needles embedded in it, so deeply that I have never found them.

There is a photo which includes my cushion near the beginning of my post about the picture I made and called Glorious Devon HERE 
if you'd like to see it.

[Shepherdess]

It is very hard to make a thick mat like the needle felting mats you see for sale. The mats are several machine needle felted sheets that are then needle felted together. At least that's what the edge looks like on the one I have. It might be best to make several sheets as thick as you can and then input them inside a felt pillowcase.

[caterina]

Feb 12, 2024 17:54:10 GMT Shepherdess said:

It is very hard to make a thick mat like the needle felting mats you see for sale. The mats are several machine needle felted sheets that are then needle felted together. At least that's what the edge looks like on the one I have. It might be best to make several sheets as thick as you can and then input them inside a felt pillowcase.

What about a fabric pillowcase? Would that help any with the keeping the mat cleaner of old projects wool (compared to the felt pillowcase)?
I am also towards the end of life of the needle felting mat that I bought as part of a beginner kit, so I am following the discussion to understand if I can make myself another or need to buy one following previous blog post suggestions on mats. I would rather make a wool one for various reasons, if practical.

[Shepherdess]

A fabric mat cover would probably not last that long if you do a lot of needling. you are breaking the threads with the needles. But they are probably cheap to replace. Cleaning with one of the little hairbrush cleaning tools helps a lot. I know at Living felt they recommend having 2, one for white-only fibres and one for all the others.

[caterina]

Feb 14, 2024 0:07:05 GMT Shepherdess said:

A fabric mat cover would probably not last that long if you do a lot of needling. you are breaking the threads with the needles. But they are probably cheap to replace. Cleaning with one of the little hairbrush cleaning tools helps a lot. I know at Living felt they recommend having 2, one for white-only fibres and one for all the others.

Very useful, thanks Ann.
But hairbrush cleaning tools? You have lost me there. I need to look for them online, as I have never heard of them.

[Shepherdess]

They look like a little tiny wisk or rake

[magzie]

Thank you ladies - as always, you're the best!