Today we’re going to learn how to make a double‑sided cushion using the wet felting technique with Bergschaf wool and viscose, together with Eva Basile, felt expert and master weaver.
This cushion combines the strength of wool with the sheen of viscose fiber. Thanks to Bergschaf, which is not only easy to work with but also extremely strong, the cushion becomes very durable and ready to stand the test of time.
As you’ll see in the video, Eva laid out the colored Bergschaf and worked it by hand until it reached a consistency that allowed her to cut into the surface. In fact, she created what is generally called prefelt. This way she was able to cut out shapes that resemble small eyes, bringing to life a beautiful decoration that is above all double‑sided, because what she cuts from the first side of the cushion is then used on the second side. In this way nothing is wasted and two completely different sides are obtained from the same prefelt.
Have fun!
MATERIALS
Carded Bergschaf wool in colors Acacia, Saffron and Violet
Viscose tops color Bridesmaid
Piuma yarn color Marrakech
Stuffing wadding
Water sprinkler for felting
Bubble cushioning wrap
Needle felting
Needle felting pad
Marseille soap
Bowl
PROCEDURE
First, lay out the bubble cushioning wrap on the table and start with a small amount of viscose tops color Bridesmaid. Pull small tufts from the viscose tops ribbon and arrange them to form a circle.
Take the Bergschaf wool color Violet and lay it out in small tufts over the viscose, completely covering it and doubling the diameter.
Lay Bergschaf wool color Acacia around the edges of the shape you just created.
Prepare warm water and add Marseille soap, being careful not to dissolve it too much, because too much foam makes working difficult. Evenly wet the entire surface with the water sprinkler for felting. At this point, lay a plastic sheet over it, making it adhere perfectly to the entire surface, and press with your hands so that the water completely penetrates the fibers and all the air is expelled. You can remove the plastic sheet once the water has penetrated all the fibers.
Now you can start laying out Bergschaf wool color Saffron, completely covering the Violet circle.
Spray soapy water over all the fibers again and press the work using a second sheet of bubble cushioning wrap. And to make your hands slide better on the bubble cushioning wrap, soap your hands. Wrap the work in bubble cushioning wrap to proceed with rolling and felt it further. Check the felting state and once optimal felting is reached, you can drain the excess water and partially dry it.
Cut out the shapes you prefer—in this case, leaves—so they create an abstract surface on one side and on the other you can use the leaves to create another design.
Turn the work to the opposite side and insert into the holes an amount of Bergschaf wool color Acacia that has the same thickness as the prefelted work. Wet everything with soapy water and start felting again by placing a piece of bubble cushioning wrap on top. Once felted, you can make the work more even and strong by laying a very thin layer of Bergschaf wool color Acacia over the entire surface. Felt everything again.
Cut a bubble cushioning wrap disc that must have a diameter slightly larger than the Saffron section and place it on top. Cover the bubble cushioning wrap all around the circumference with the already felted work edges and wet with soapy water, trying not to create large wrinkles. At this point, generously cover the entire surface with Bergschaf wool color Acacia, being careful not to go beyond the edge, and repeat the wet felting procedure again.
Apply the leaves you cut out onto the freshly felted surface, trying to form two flowers.
To integrate the leaves into the cushion, use an amount of Acacia-colored wool that allows you to reach the same thickness. Once this operation is complete around each leaf and over the entire surface, all that's left is to add the Piuma yarn color Marrakech as decoration and start felting.
To felt further, use the rolling method. Start rolling, then rotate it from time to time on all sides, both right side and opposite face. Cut the cushion along one edge and remove the bubble cushioning wrap. Continue felting.
Fill the cushion with stuffing wadding until you reach the desired height. Close the opening with the needle felting technique, that is, place your work on a needle felting pad and with the help of a felting needle and wool, start poking the wool until the fibers you laid down for the closure felt together.
At this point, the double-sided cushion with the wet felting technique is ready to use.
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