Wool Felt Insoles
Hand Craft Your Own.
Have you seen the price of wool felt insoles lately? Really - you can
make your own so easily too. You only need about 2 - 3 ounces of wool
fiber(depending how thick you want them), some soap, hot water,
time and energy.
The concept is easy - make a flat piece of felt - the actual crafting
of the felt might prove a little more difficult. Try a sample and
see how you like it. Practice on some spare fiber first to get a feel for how
felting works, as you want your insoles to be as flat and 'bump free'
as possible.
You should read about
making wool felt
first, then come back here to
find out more about getting your felt right for insoles.
Some points to consider about your wool felt insoles...
- measure the outside of your shoes for which you need insoles
- longest length from heel to toe
- width across widest part
- width across narrowest part
- your wet felting will shrink considerably and thicken
- sometimes shrinking by as much
as one third of its' original size - depends how long & hard
you work it
- add one half again to each measurement to be
sure to have your felt big enough
- lay out enough fiber to make a felt piece large enough for
two of your size insoles
- be certain that your layers are as even as possible
- follow my instructions for
making wool felt
- make sure that you work your felt as evenly as possible to prevent
lumpy insoles
- you should also measure your felt as you work it to be sure it
will be large enough for your wool felt insoles
- work your felt until it will shrink no more - that way when you cut your
felt to fit your shoes it won't shrink away from the edges and be
uncomfortable
Once you've finished working your piece of flat felt allow it to dry completely.
Check your piece of felt for any stray fibers which haven't felted
in properly - you should cut them off carefully as they may work
into lumps if you leave them.
Now you have to place your shoes onto your felt and draw
around them. 'Tailors chalk' is best as it dusts off and won't
stain socks or anything. You can have your lines touching as you'll
be cutting inside your lines.
Start by cutting only a quarter of an inch inside your lines then try
your new insoles inside your shoes and try on your shoes. If
they're not quite right, take out your wool felt insoles and trim them
again - a little at a time.
Work carefully and take your
time to be sure to get the best fit. Trim then try on, trim then try
on. You've done well so far, so don't rush the last part as you want the
neatest most comfortable fit you can get.
Now enjoy wearing your new wool felt insoles. If you want to wash them
after a while - this is how you should do it...
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