How to Wet Felt Liquorice Allsorts for Jewellery

Sally Gulbrandsen Feltmaker: Her tutorials and techniques are as individual as she is—unique, experimental and always interesting.

Fun Wet Felting Project - Liquorice Allsorts

This fun Wet Felting Project has been designed to be used to make handcrafted felt Liquorice Allsort 'Sweets' which can be threaded on an elastic thread or even a narrow piece of leather which can be tied in a bow around the neck.

The Black and White sweets were made using the same method. A sushi mat was utilized but the layers of felt were rolled flat rather than rolled up in the Sushi Mat.

Items required for this Project

• Black Wool Roving
• Mixed Colors Roving - Blue, Red, Yellow and Red, White
• Hot Soapy Water - Grated Olive Oil Soap dissolved in the water or dish washing liquid which is not as kind to the wool or hands.
• Sushi Mat
• Thin Knitting Needle - the length should be equal to the width of one Sushi Mat
• Berol Marvin Medium (Modelling Glazing Glue)

Berol Marvin Medium Glue

I used Berol Marvin Medium Glue for this project. It is a modelling, glazing glue which can be used as a strong adhesive or thinned right down with water to stiffen fabric.

This product had the effect of not only stiffening the felt without changing it's color but it also gave the finished sweets a much more Liquorice like texture than might have been obtained otherwise.

The rolls of sweets easily be cut into sweets using a craft knife designed for cutting felt.. . I I recommend using this product when making these 'sweets'.

Cut off two pieces of Black Wool Roving

Place a thin knitting needle across the length of the wool roving

Wet the wool roving, across the whole length of the knitting needle with hot soapy water

Cover the knitting needle with wool roving

Place the wet roll close to one end of the Sushi Mat

Wrap the roll tightly in the sushi mat and roll carefully

Remove the Knitting Needle once the wool begins to firm up

Remove the knitting needle from the roll once the wool becomes stable.

Roll until firm

Once the knitting needle has been removed, roll up the length of wool in the sushi mat.. Keep checking it's progress. Open the sushi mat frequently - re-roll and then roll again. Once the wool shrinks back, move onto the next step.

The 2nd Layer/ Wet with hot soapy water as shown below

Wrap tightly in the Sushi Mat and roll

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Cut three lengths of red roving as shown below:-

Once the two lengths of black wool roving have been felted together into a firm roll, cut three lengths of red roving to the width of the sushi mat as shown below.

Roll the wool in the mat for several minutes

Keep checking the felting process

The liquorice layer is complete

Place the black roving onto the 1st layer of red roving

Wrap the liquorice layer inside the first layer of red roving

Wrap in the sushi mat and roll

Repeat the process!

Repeat the procedure above until all three layers of red have been used up. Each layer should be rolled sufficiently to alllow the red and black layers to felt together. The final layer should be rolled repeatedly until it becomes firm under your hands.

Once you are quite satisfied that you have done enough to keep the layers together - keep the roll wrapped up in the sushi mat and plunge it into very hot water and then into cold water. Repeat this several times. Keep the roll of wool in the sushi mat until the water runs clear of soap.

The final layer with a few completed colored rolls in the background

Rolling the the sushi mat, the last layer

Berol Marvin Medium Glue

In a small container mix a quantity of Berol Marvin Medium Glue or if unobtainable, use some Modge Podge in equal quantities with warm water in a small squeeze bottle as shown in the images above.

Shake the mixture well and then pour on a quantity of the liquid throughout the full length of the roll. Place it on the sushi mat and roll - until the glue has been fully incorporated throughout all the layers of wool

Repeat this process on any subsequent rolls you might make.

Leave to dry on a cake rack or similar. Use a hair dryer if you want the layers to dry more quickly - now leave them to dry out completely before cutting with the craft knife.

The final rolling

A selection of colors

Cut into shapes

Cut into shapes when the felt has completely dried. Use a sharp craft knife designed to cut felt.

Wet Felted Liquorice Allsorts

© 2014 Sally Gulbrandsen

Comments

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on January 17, 2015:

Thank you so much. I am so glad you enjoyed this Wet Felting Tutorial.

Best wishes,

Sally

Rolly A Chabot from Alberta Canada on January 17, 2015:

Great article... here I thought they were real candies... what a novel idea... well written and very ingenious.

Hugs

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 04, 2014:

Glimmer Twin Fan - you must have read my mind. I posted a video on my Blog yesterday and that is exactly what I am doing at the moment, making felt beads. I am mixing them with silver beads and pearls from some old charm bracelets. It makes me feel excited just to think about how they might turn out.

The sushi mat is probably one of my favorite felting tools. It makes felting a breeze and can be used in so many different ways.

Thanks for the tweet today. Your support is so valued.

Sally

Claudia Mitchell on December 04, 2014:

When I see these beautiful creations I think of beads Sally. I love that you use a sushi roller thing to make them. I can imagine them also as a lovely, bright garland on a Christmas tree. Another stunning hub!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 26, 2014:

Suzanne Day

How nice of you to stop by to check out my Liquorice Allsorts. I wish I could 'offer' you one to eat. Thanks for the vote, awesome - it is much appreciated. You are valued. Have a great day.

Sally

Suzanne Day from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on November 26, 2014:

How great do these look? You certainly have a talent for wet felting and I love the look of these yummy goodies! Voted awesome.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 24, 2014:

purl3agony - you are very welcome - I look forward to seeing yours as a HOTD. You made a great job of that knitting. Thanks for the pin.

Sally

Donna Herron from USA on November 24, 2014:

Love your step by step directions and photos. Such a creative idea and would make colorful tree ornaments for the Christmas holidays. Thanks for sharing. Pining to my felting board :)

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 22, 2014:

MartieCoetser

That really is a very lovely nice thing to say Martie. Lovely to have one of my fellow countrywomen visit my pages.

Thank you so much.

Sally

Martie Coetser from South Africa on November 22, 2014:

Extra-ordinary creative! I am completely in awe of your talent, sallybea :)

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 17, 2014:

Jo - thank you, I know I have dreams but none of them concerns anything which is material:) Fortunately I think that all of us have the power to do whatever it is we want to do to make us feel complete. Thank you for the share up++

Best wishes,

Sally

Jo_Goldsmith11 on November 17, 2014:

Hi Sally!

This craft project looks fun and so good to eat! If it was of course editable. I think you are just wonderfully gifted in explaining how creative you are outside the literary world.

Wishing you much success as your dreams ( if any) to find another niche you seem to be wonderful in doing. :-) Shared and Up +++

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 16, 2014:

Nell Rose

Glad you thought the Liquorice Allsorts looked amazing. I have written over twenty five tutorials on wet felting on HubPages. It is more than likely than it was one of my Tutorials. I sure you will come across many more too in the future. Thank you for your comment.

Nell Rose from England on November 16, 2014:

That is so clever! I have never heard of wet felting before, well once, but on here too, not sure if it was yours? they look amazing!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 09, 2014:

teaches12345

Glad you enjoyed this one. I appreciate your comment as always.

Thank you

Sally

Dianna Mendez on November 09, 2014:

This is a charming idea! I love the creative art and thoughts you come up with. This is sure to be sought after for Christmas gift ideas.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 05, 2014:

tirelesstraveler

That is good, then I have done my job! I hope you find the time to create some Liquorice Allsorts:)

Judy Specht from California on November 05, 2014:

This is a really fun idea. I can easily understand the directions. Now all I need is time:)

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 02, 2014:

Iris Draak

Thank you - glad you enjoyed learning about how to make Liquorice Allsorts with felt, too bad they are not edible:)

Cristen Iris from Boise, Idaho on November 02, 2014:

Those are just so adorable! Your creativity and skill always delight and amaze me. :)

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 01, 2014:

craftybegonia

Glad you enjoyed the project, thank you very much

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 01, 2014:

MsDora

Thank you so much, I appreciate your continued support,

Sally

craftybegonia from Southwestern, United States on November 01, 2014:

Very exciting project!

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on November 01, 2014:

Another creative (unique in my book) project which the family can enjoy. Good work, Sally.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 01, 2014:

ocfireflies

Kim you are so right - my learning style is definitely one which requires visuals - glad though that I seem to have the ability to give clear written instructions for others. Your support is valued - thank you so much.

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 01, 2014:

old albion

Graham - what can I say! You certainly have a way with words, such a nice thing to say - thank you so much.

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on November 01, 2014:

DDE

Devika - your support is valued as always - thank you so much for the vote up, useful and beautiful.

ocfireflies from North Carolina on November 01, 2014:

Sally,

Excellent work as always. There are many among us whose primary learning style is visual. You do not only write clear and precise instructions, you provide pictorials, too. VPH

Kim

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on November 01, 2014:

Hi Sally your hubs are extraordinary! You just know how to lay out the easy to follow steps and always so creative. Voted up, useful and beautiful.

Graham Lee from Lancashire. England. on November 01, 2014:

Hi Sally. What a wonderful hub. As already said, just in time for Christmas. You have such a grasp of this niche subject. Well done.

Graham.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on October 31, 2014:

DJ Anderson

You are very kind, I really do appreciate your timely comment - thank you so much for your continued support too,

Sally.

DJ Anderson on October 31, 2014:

Sally, you are filled with creative ideas and willing to share.

I love that you give step by step instructions which makes the project

achievable in a timely manner. You are clever to put forth these ideas

before the holidays. If not for gifts, then these delightful colors and

some twine can keep the grandkids entertained for hours.

Great hub, Sally!

DJ.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on October 31, 2014:

Billy, thank you, I thought I would try to get in early this year.

You have a great week-end too

Sally

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on October 31, 2014:

I'm happy to see you posting a Christmas article now...very smart to do...by the time Christmas gets here, this article will have circulated through the internet and your searches will be higher. Nice job, Sally, and I hope you have a great weekend.