Felting Soap.

This is a great project for children to do. It is a unique gift that, even a child will enjoy making and giving.

I do not reccomend using Kool-Aid dyed fiber for the soap, as I found that the dye runs while bathing.

The completed felted soap provides a bit of an exfoliateing sensation when used.

How to make a felted bar of soap

1. Choose a soap that does not have too many moisturizers. You do not want it to be a hotel sized bar by the time you have completed felting. However, you also want to make sure the soap makes enough suds to felt. I have found that Ivory does not make enough suds to wash with. Personally, we use Irish Springs.

2. Gather you supplies. You will need: a bar of soap, carded fiber, warm water, and a sheet of ribbed plastic or bubble wrap.

3. Begin by wrapping the soap with a layer of fiber.

4. Wrap a another layer of fiber perpendicular to the first. You want the layers to cross each other so they will felt better.

5. Wrap a 3rd layer of fiber the same direction as the first.

6. Check your corners, they may need more fiber.

7. Gently put hot water on soap. Put enough water on it to get the air out of the fiber.

8. Start massaging the fiber around the soap. This will knot the fibers, causing them to felt.

9. Keep working the fiber , adding more warm water when necessary. You will see the soap lathering up on the felt.

10. After the fiber has begin to felt, you will need to rub it on your ribbed mat or bubble wrap. This helps to shrink the fiber around the soap. This takes a little bit of time and arm power. When you find an area of the soap where the fiber is loose, you will need to rub this area on the mat or bubble wrap

11. Wash off the excess suds and allow the felt to dry. I use a cookie drying rack to dry the soap on.

12. Tie a raffia bow around it and a photo of your alpaca to make a great gift.