Knitting Challenge

Well, this is a newspaper boy bag--that's the style. The bag itself is done, it just needs the shoulder strap to be complete. However, this bag is supposed to be felted. Now, I've never done a felted project and frankly, I'm terrified to put this thing in the washer!!! What if it ruins the way it looks? I like the way it looks right now.

Hmm.....what to do? Any suggestions? Please let me know what you think. Would you felt it or leave it like it is? I'm especially asking any of you knitters out there..

I will post another pic once I knit the shoulder strap.