Blending paper into wool elevates textile art and sparks new ideas.

For years, I wrestled with the same frustration many artists know too well: dull surfaces and muted colors.

Wool fibers bond so tightly during felting that even the most vibrant shades lose their brilliance. Even techniques like nunofelting — blending silk into wool —can’t fully escape this issue. More often than not, the silk’s original beauty disappears in the process, leaving just a light shimmer and intriguing texture.

This changed by integrating paper into woolfelting!

Paper interacts with wool in a complete new way. The delicate texture of paper and the sturdy strength of felted wool form a powerful partnership. The result? Richer surfaces, bolder colors, and more depth than I ever thought possible.

Photo above: One of my first murals blending silk and paper into wool: "Happy Nana" (2014)

Integrating fiber based papers

When I first started experimenting with fiber-based papers in my felting process, an entirely new world of possibilities opened up.

Paper wool felt is not only easier to cut — it’s also far easier to color, print on, and use for transfer techniques. It creates a strong, inspiring foundation for all kinds of playful and experimental art-making.

The Breakthrough: Any Paper Can Be Felted

After years of trial and error, I finally found a way to blend pulp-based papers into wool — a discovery that completely transformed my work. This technique adds stunning texture and depth to felted pieces, unlocking endless creative possibilities.

What’s even more exciting is the variety of papers you can use. I now recycle everything from shopping bags to packaging paper, tissue paper, and even napkins. And here’s the best part: printed text and images often survive the felting process! This makes it possible to incorporate writing, patterns, and photographs directly into your felt art, creating collage-like surfaces with rich, layered stories.

Photos below show two examples of paper wool felt before and after:

A Journey Worth Sharing

I love sharing what I’ve learned and encourage other artists to explore this beautiful new direction.

Ready to Take Your Felt Art to the Next Level?

If you’re curious to expand your creative toolbox as a felter or textile artist, get my Paper & Wool Felt Webinar. Join me live on May 27th, 2025 or get the replay available anytime after the live session.

The webinar comes with:
✔️ A detailed handout
✔️ Step-by-step video instructions
✔️ A fun creative exercise: The 5-Minute Paper Wool Felt Collage

If you join live, I’ll guide you through everything I’ve discovered about paper wool felting, and you’ll have a chance to ask all your questions at the end of the session.

This is your chance to take your felt art to an entirely new level!
👉 Head over to https://www.arianemarianeworkshop.com/paperwool-felt-collage-webinar-2-eveining-english for all the details and to sign up.

I can’t wait to share this creative journey with you!

With love,
Ariane