Felt refers to a fabric that is not woven but made from natural fibers, soap and water. It takes a lot of work to create Felt because the fabric is dense and is made from lasting interlocking fibers. Each kind of wool comes with its own distinct features and is a reflection of the environment where a breed of sheep has particularly adapted. Wool from the Merino sheep breed is smooth, soft and has a silky laster while wool from Herdwick breed has a hairy, coarse texture. The best thing about felt is that it transcends texture and appearance and into the unique features it offers. Felt is created from a sustainable environmentally friendly source, which is wool. This makes the fabric 100 percent biodegradable. Its durability, light-weight and strength make it a highly versatile fabric. Felt is a light, cool and breathable fabric that is ideal for summer and provides the much needed warmth during winter; can be worn at any time of the year. It repels moisture and dirt and is resistant to fire. This makes felt a family friendly textile.

How Felt Fabrics are Used

Felt fabrics come in varied colors, length, thicknesses and width depending what it is intended for. As a matted fabric, it is specifically used for lining and padding because it can get extremely thick and dense. Because its edges are often un-woven, felt can be cut without worrying about its threads getting loose or the fiber becoming unraveled. Felt fibers tend to absorb dye very well and crafted felt fabrics are easily available in varied colors even as industrial grade fabrics are typically left in their natural form. Felt has numerous applications within industrial and residential contexts. It is often used in kid’s bulletin boards, air fresheners, holiday costumes, decorations and craft kits. It is also used to make stamp pads, gaskets, in appliances, clothing liner or stiffener as well as cushions among others.