Felt is a non woven material of ancient origin produced by compressing or matting fibers of different origin together. The name of this material, felt, may come from the ancient city of Feltre, which was known during the Roman Empire for wool fulling and and other felting materials. It is also thought to have been originated over 5000 years ago in Asia by Nomadic people. Nowadays, felt can be made of natural fibers or synthetic ones such as acrylic or petroleum based.
- HOW TO CLEAN FELT FABRIC: Even though felt items should not be washed in water, especially wool felt, if it is necessary, we recommend to wash it with a gentle or delicate cycle.
- WHERE TO BUY FELT FABRIC: Nowadays, felt can be easily purchased on online fabric stores like ours, or in craft stores.
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FELT AND OTHER FABRICS: Felt is considered a non-woven fabric since it's a man-made material obtained through compressing and matting of different fibers together.
- WHAT IS FELT FABRIC USED FOR: Felt is one of the most used materials in crafting of handmade items and decorations, it is also used in schools and primary school for educational projects and in home decor for wall hangings and rugs.
HOW IS FELT FABRIC MADE
Nowadays, felt production changes radically if it's made of natural, blended or synthetic fibers.
In any case, once that textile manufacturing companies have reached the fibers they want to use, the production of felt start with the compression of those fibers into a mass. After that, a carding machine card fibers into a web while also separating them from each other. Then, another industrial machine combines those web together and obtains a roll, each one layered on top of each other. This mass, once again is pressed so that the rolls can be fused together though moisture and of course pressure. The last round of felt industrial manufacturing is the dyeing of the material to obtain the desired shades.
In any case, once that textile manufacturing companies have reached the fibers they want to use, the production of felt start with the compression of those fibers into a mass. After that, a carding machine card fibers into a web while also separating them from each other. Then, another industrial machine combines those web together and obtains a roll, each one layered on top of each other. This mass, once again is pressed so that the rolls can be fused together though moisture and of course pressure. The last round of felt industrial manufacturing is the dyeing of the material to obtain the desired shades.
HOW TO SHAPE FELT FABRIC
Felt is an easy use material and this makes it ideal also for beginner crafters. Today we are going to teach you how to cut perfect felt shapes.
- The first thing you need is a freeze paper and your favorite sharped scissors to cut felt material and a pencil.
- Then, you will have to trace the desired drawing or pattern on the opaque side of your freezer paper
- Now, iron the drawn freezer paper on the felt so it can adhere completely to the material
- Last but not least, you will have to simply cut the desired shapes to obtain precise and clean cuts.
FELT FABRIC FEATURES
Felt material Advantages:
- Soft
- lightweight
- resistant to wear
- easy use
- sound insulating
- moisture wicking
- does not fray
Felt Material Disadvantages
- can have a coarse feel
- minimal elasticity
- prone to shrinkage
HOW TO MAKE FLOWERS WITH FELT
If you want to create a DIY bouquet with felt flowers, the procedure is easy and accessible also to beginners.
The first thing you have to do is to select felt in the desired colors and shades, for example red for your red roses and green to craft matching leaves. Then grab your sharp scissors and cut a circle. Then turn this felt circle into a spiral by also butting the edges irregularly to obtain a wavy texture. Lastly, you have to roll up that felt spiral to obtain the cutest felt rose!
The first thing you have to do is to select felt in the desired colors and shades, for example red for your red roses and green to craft matching leaves. Then grab your sharp scissors and cut a circle. Then turn this felt circle into a spiral by also butting the edges irregularly to obtain a wavy texture. Lastly, you have to roll up that felt spiral to obtain the cutest felt rose!
