Art of Feltmaking

Discover the art of Feltmaking

Felt making is like no other form of art medium. It is basic in that it requires no special equipment and has no hard set of rules to follow. All that is needed is a big imagination and the desire to be creative with animal fibers. The fibers can be used in their natural color or dyed and materials such as silk or yarn can be incorporated to create a mixture of textures in your project. There are very few limitations in feltmaking.  Whether making art forms, wearables or decorative item, the art of felt making irresistible and habit forming. The creativity of this medium is endless.

Where does felt come from?

Legend has it is felt was created on Noah’s Ark. As the animals' fibers shed off, the fallen fibers would get stepped on constantly by the animals on the Ark. But, there was more. Another element, rain water, was also present on the floor of the ark. The combination of animal fiber being stomped on and the water on the floor caused the fibers to stick together and make a piece of solid fabric. When all the animals got off the Ark, Noah found this fabric and the wonderful world of felting began.

Modern Day Feltmaking

Much has changed in feltmaking since the days on Noah’s Ark. Today artists have gone well beyond making a flat piece of felt and are now using natural animal fiber to make beautiful items ranging from complex three dimensional wearable garments such as hats, scarves jackets/vests to art in the form of wall hangings, vessels and sconces. Contemporary artists also incoporate other fibers such as silk to create lightweight and uniquely textured fabric that can be used to make delicate wearables.

Why do animal fibers felt?

Animal fibers have overlapping scales on them. When soap and water are applied to the fibers and the fibers are rubbed together, the scales open up and start to bind to one another. The sliding and subsequent binding of the fibers to one another results in a solid piece of fabric called felt.

Selecting your animal fiber

Not all animal fibers are the same. They differ in diameter, and how quickly and tightly they felt.  Fiber diameter is important because it determines the softness and strength of the final product.  Fiber diameter is measured in microns. A micron is 1/25,400 of an inch. A very general relationship between fiber diameter and use is shown below.

Fine Wools	16-23 microns	Apparel, art work, decorative items
Meduim Wools	23-32 microns	Outerwear, art work, decorative items, light upholstery
Coarse Wools	32-38 microns	Heavy upholstery, rugs, tapestries

Generally, fine fibers are softer to the touch; coarse fibers are more durable. Therefore, when selecting wool which will touch skin, select fine wools. In contrast, when selecting wool for an item in which durability is desired, select coarse wools.