Our Crafting Journey
What is Felt?
Felt is a type of textile made by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together. The most common fiber used is wool, but felt can also be made from other materials such as acrylic and fur. Unlike woven or knitted fabrics, felt does not have a distinct weave; it is dense and sturdy, making it versatile for various crafts and projects.
Needle Felting
Needle felting is a dry felting technique that involves using special barbed needles to interlock wool fibers. Here's how it works:
- Process: You start with loose wool, shaping it into your desired form. By repeatedly poking the needle into the wool, the barbs on the needle catch the fibers, causing them to tangle and mat together, creating a dense fabric or sculpted object.
- Tools Needed: You'll need felting needles, a felting mat, and wool roving or batting. Different needle sizes can be used depending on the detail and thickness you want to achieve.
Wet Felting
Wet felting is a technique that uses moisture, heat, and agitation to create felt. Here's a step-by-step overview:
- Process: Begin by laying out layers of wool fibers on a textured surface like bubble wrap. Then, apply warm, soapy water over the wool to help open up the fibers. Cover the wool and start rubbing and rolling it to agitate the fibers, which helps them bond together.
- Tools Needed: Essential tools for wet felting include wool, soapy water, and a flat surface for rolling. You can also use bubble wrap to assist in the felting process.