Felt for Handmade Projects in Sheets

Many Colors of Felt Always Assorted for Your Handmade Masterpieces

Let's start with the origin of the name FELT, which comes from the city of Feltre, historically the cradle of this technique for treating carded sheep's wool. Through a special process involving hot water and soap, the fibers undergo a unique felting treatment, resulting in a product that should not be confused with fabric woven on a loom.

Felt should not be classified as fabric because it is not woven on a loom, such as felted wool, which is also fulled to reduce gaps between threads and make it more compact but belongs to a different category. Felt is formed with this particular technique, giving rise to the term felting, and it originally involved working with animal hair other than the typical sheep's wool. This included the hair of animals like hares, rabbits, beavers, otters, and camels. Over time, felt-making has also incorporated plant-based and synthetic fibers, creating one of the most commonly used non-woven fabrics in sewing.

How Many Types of Felt Exist?

Over the years, fashion has accustomed us to various versions of this fabric made with animal hair, which has seen success in tailoring, especially for making hats and headgear. However, it is also suitable for many handmade projects, and Tessiland offers it in particular three-dimensional forms to stuff and decorate, highly appreciated by the little ones.

It is available in many colors, starting from classic white felt, and includes adhesive felt, glitter felt—basically, the limit is only your imagination, and every year there are countless new proposals based on trends.

Usage and Processing

Felt is used to make a wide range of handmade items, particularly in our sector, where it is increasingly used to line bags or make them. We have often shared on our social networks finely crafted bags made of felt, adorned with embroidery and crochet work, which are truly impressive. Typically, felt is available by the meter, but Tessiland offers pre-cut sheets in the most requested sizes by hobbyists who purchase felt.

How to Clean Felt

Felt is a very durable fabric when dry, but when wet, it could suffer damage. Therefore, it is recommended to perform a localized washing. The best thing to do is to treat a specific stain with water, neutral detergent, and a sponge to remove dirt without immersion. However, when this is not possible, it becomes necessary to wash it absolutely in cold water, possibly with a drop of white vinegar in a proportion of 25% vinegar to 75% water. It's crucial to rely on companies that provide quality. In fact, felt is available in many prices and thicknesses, but Made in Italy felt undoubtedly has the guarantee of not bleeding as much as imported ones, where the processes are much less controlled than ours.

What is the Difference Between Boiled Wool, Felt, Felted Wool, and Prefelt?

We have talked about felt; pannolenci is very similar in appearance but much thinner, also sold in sheets, and is widely used to line, for example, bags. Boiled wool, on the other hand, is made starting from carded wool, which is worked and fulled through the felting process, resulting in a very compact fabric typical of mountain areas. Finally, prefelt is nothing more than felt that has not completed the felting process, allowing the possibility of composing a creation that, with complete felting, becomes even more compact.

We showcase our felt in a video:

Creative Projects Achievable with Felt

Felt is extremely versatile, allowing you to create a wide range of creative projects. For example, you can make soft dolls and toys for children, home decorations like pillows and coasters, as well as personalized accessories like pins and bags. These projects demonstrate the versatility of felt, capable of transforming into both functional and decorative items. The possibilities are limited only by the crafter's creativity.

Techniques and Materials Associated with Felt Processing

Various techniques, including cutting, sewing, and molding, are used to work with felt. Necessary tools include sharp scissors, needles, thread, and fabric glue. For more advanced projects, molds can be used to create three-dimensional shapes. Moreover, it is essential to select the right type of felt for the project, considering factors such as thickness, density, and color. Choosing the right felt is crucial for achieving the desired result and ensuring the durability of the finished project.

Reliable Sources and Crafting Practices

According to authoritative sources in the crafting field, such as "Crafting Weekly" and "DIY Masters," felt is valued for its ease of processing and the wide range of applications. These sources provide additional tips and techniques for effectively working with felt, ensuring high-quality results.