The oldest fabrics in the world are thought to be felted. This fabric is older than woven or knitted textiles, as 6500 B.C. is the date of the earliest archaeological evidence of felting. Different cultures have different myths about how the senses were formed. In Western cultures, it is believed that felt came into being when St. James or St. Clement placed natural fibers in their sandals to prevent blisters, but the fibers became felt due to heat, sweat and pressure. In this blog post we will explain what felt is, its uses, the different types of felt, and finally the 10 most popular handmade felt products available today.
What is felt?
Felt is a textile made by coalescing, matting and pressing fibers together. It can be made from natural materials such as animal fur or wool, or synthetically from wood pulp-based rayon or petroleum-based acrylic or acrylonitrile. Synthetic fibers are also common. Felt has certain properties that allow it to be used for a variety of applications. Felt is flame retardant and self-extinguishing. Felt absorbs sound, dampens vibration, and can hold large amounts of water without feeling wet.
Uses of felt
Felt can be used in manufacturing processes in a variety of industries, from casinos to home construction. In industry, felt is used as a silencer, as a nonwoven for air filtration, and by machinery for cushioning and filling film parts. Felt can also be used as clothing, as people use it to make hats and lining shoes. The music industry also uses felt as a damper for a variety of musical instruments, for example using felt for piano hammers. In arts and crafts, felt is used for picture frames. Felt is placed between the sliding support and the picture as a protective layer to avoid damaging the painting.
Different types of felts
There are various types of felts to choose from. There are industrial felts and non-woven felts to choose from.
Industrial pressed wool felts are widely used in chemical, mechanical, electromechanical and cement, textile and other industries. It is used for furniture polishing, sealing, insulation, dustproofing, heat preservation and sound insulation for automobiles, aircraft, machine tools and other equipment.
Nonwoven fabrics are made by nonwoven methods, such as needling, meltblown, hydroentanglement, etc., or by dry or wet methods. Although both industrial pressed wool and nonwoven fabrics are nonwoven fabrics, they differ in their customary classification. The denser and thicker ones are called industrial pressed wool felts. 2-5mm are called industrial felts and 1mm thick are called nonwovens.
Top 10 products handmade from felt
Let's try to delve into some of the famous products that can be made from felt.
1. Felt ball carpet
Felt ball carpet is a carpet made of thousands of felt balls. Felt balls are made of 100% wool and are sewn tightly together so that both sides of the carpet can be used. The product can be customized according to the customer's needs and preferences.
2. Felt balls
Wool that is rolled into balls is called felt balls. Felt balls are environmentally friendly, brightly colored, soft and smooth. Felt balls can be shaped by forming a ball from a strand of wool and then rolling it by hand after dipping it in hot soapy water. These balls can be turned into beautiful accessories and can be the ultimate companion to someone's production. Felt balls can be customized according to the needs and preferences of the customer.
3. Felt Hats
Felt wool hats are comfortable and economical to wear, and can be worn in extreme cold. One small disadvantage of wool felt hats is that they are not very durable. Felt hats, on the other hand, are designed to last longer and have a more designer shape, and generally provide a better feel.
4. Felt bags
Felt bags are popular for their customizable designs. The bags can be made in the color, size and style of the customer's choice. Felt bags can be customized into felt shopping bags, felt flower money bags, felt tote bags, felt children's bags and felt evening bags.
5. Felt pet house
Felt pet houses provide privacy, warmth and comfort for your pets. Felt pet houses are perfect for pets to relax, play, snooze, sleep and rest. Pet houses should be cleaned primarily with a vacuum cleaner. They should be hand washed with a detergent suitable for wool and shaped and dried afterwards.
6. Felt coasters
Felt coasters are best at absorbing moisture and are great for insulation. These properties allow them to effectively protect any surface. Felt coasters can be customized according to customer needs and preferences.
7. Felt Scarf
Felt scarves are lightweight, soft and comfortable to the touch. They should be gently hand washed with wool cleaner, rinsed and rolled up in a towel to remove excess moisture. To dry, they should be laid flat and reshaped as necessary. Felt scarves should not be put in the dryer, but can be steam ironed.
8. Felt slippers
Felt wool slippers offer luxurious comfort all year round thanks to their amazing ability to regulate body temperature, naturally insulate and remain breathable. Thanks to the lanolin in the wool, the slippers resist stains, moisture and odors. The lanolin also promotes healing and is gentle on sensitive skin, and the friction between the wool and the skin promotes blood circulation.
9. Felt wallet
Felt wallets are sturdy and will keep your bag in good shape. They are economical and the color after dyeing will not transfer to the bag lining. Felt wallets can be customized according to customer needs and preferences.
10. Felt Dryer Balls
Felt dryer balls are an alternative to fabric softener or dryer sheets for keeping clothes soft and static free. Dryer balls separate clothes more effectively than dryer sheets, allowing hot air to circulate more evenly and efficiently, reducing drying time. Dryer balls can reduce drying time by 10% to 25% because the wool in them is very absorbent. Finally, over-drying can lead to damage to the garment and increased static electricity. You can also use dryer balls at lower temperatures to help prevent damage to your clothing.
How do I care for my felt products?
We recommend that you carefully hand wash products made of felt. An example could be merino finger gloves that need to be washed at a low temperature of no more than 30°. If possible, you should wash them on a special wool/hand wash cycle and store them in a dry place.
You can purchase felt products from at wholesale prices or contact us for more details.
