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There is a huge choice of felt available on the market and it can be very overwhelming to know which one to choose for which project. So, let's look a bit deeper into the different types of felt and their uses.
What is Felt?
Felt is made by compressing and matting fibres together using heat, moisture and pressure. During the processes, the fibres are permanently locked together and form a very strong felt fabric.
Felt is a wonderful fabric that is strong, hard wearing and does not fray. In ancient times felt was used to make rugs, clothing, shoes and many other items. In modern times it continues to be used universally across many industries such as manufacturing and clothing and it is a perfect material to make soft toys.
What is Felt Made From?
Felt can be made from man-made and/or natural fibres and each has slightly different qualities. The natural fibres used are wool or animal fur. Examples of man-made fibres are petroleum based acrylic or wood pulp based rayon. It is very common for felt to be made from a combination of several different fibres which can be both man-made and natural.
How do I choose which felt to use?
There will be several factors which will help you to decide what type of felt to use. These include your budget and what the end purpose of your sewing project is.
Craft Felt
If you are on a tight budget, the cheapest type of felt to buy is craft felt which is widely available in craft stores and is very cheap. It is 100% synthetic and is made from acrylic, polyester, rayon or viscose.
Benefits of Craft Felt
The upside to this felt is it's wide availability, its price and its availability in a huge array of colours and prints. It is often sold in thin squares, sometimes it is available with an adhesive backing which makes it great for craft projects where pieces need to be cut out and glued together.
Negatives of Craft Felt
The downside of this felt is that it is not the best quality, it can be quite stiff and it pills quite easily. This kind of felt is recommended for any projects that are quick and easy and potentially will not be used for long periods i.e holiday crafts, kids projects or school projects.
Wool Blend Felt
Felt that is made out of man made fibers and blended with wool is called wool blend felt. The 2 common types of wool blend felt are: 20% wool/80% rayon and 35% wool/65%rayon.
Benefits of Wool Blend Felt
The wool content gives the felt a softer, more luxurious feel and it has a smooth handle. Wool blend felt is available in a full range of colours. When the wool is added, it allows the different fibres to be mixed in which can create heather, marl-effect colours. These colours give a softer, old-fashioned, antique appearance and lend more of a traditional feel to the finished project.
A Sewing Life Uses Wool Blend Felt
Most of the stuffed animals in A Sewing Life are made using a marl wool blend felt which give them their traditional, whimsical look. If you would like to see some of the felt toys made using this felt, click here. The sewing kits all contain wool blend felt, mostly in marl colours. Take a look at the kits here.
100% Wool Felt
Felt that is made from 100% wool tends to be thicker than other felt and it can have a rougher texture where you can sometimes see the natural fibres more. It is suitable for projects that require a thicker, more sturdy fabric such as bags, baskets and home accessories. This tends to be the most expensive of the different types of felt.
How Thick Should Felt be?
Another difference in the felt is the thickness. Generally, if you are using a standard craft felt it will be approximately 1-2mm thick and this is acceptable to use for most craft projects. You can also purchase felt which is slightly thicker, up to 5mm and that would be used in a project where you need something a bit stiffer that holds it shape more.
How can I judge the Quality Before I Buy?
It is very difficult to tell what a felt will feel like when you buy on-line so it is always advisable to buy the smallest piece possible to see what it is like and then order more when you are sure of it's quality. Alternatively, visit a craft store or a haberdashery where you will be able to handle the felt and ask for advice.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Coloured Polyester Felt.
What Next?
If you enjoyed this blog post, please share it with your friends on social media. Now that you have a better understanding of which felt to use, take a look through some of our sewing patterns, made using wool blend felt and pick your favourite to start your next sewing project.
I would guess that most DIY craftspeople have used felt at some point in their lives. But, who remembers things made with felt? When I was little, I loved to put together felt fabric pieces. Felt comes in all shapes, sizes, and qualities here. I&#;ve put together a guide to choosing the right felt fabric for your project and some helpful tips. Hopefully, it benefits your business.
See Also: Felt Crafts for Beginners &#; The Complete Guide
Felt is a non-woven, non-woven fabric formed by layers of fibers when needled or exposed to heat. Natural felt can be made from various fibers, including wool, fur, mohair, cotton, rayon, viscose, or other synthetic fibers.
Felt is obtained by the abrasive pouring of the fibers into the rough, hammering the threads, compressing, shrinking, and then applying moisture, varying the temperature, and then applying pressure to the fibers.
Suppose you&#;re a stitcher or felt artist. In that case, you know you&#;ll want to have the highest quality felt fabrics available for making your creations professionally or for fun. Of all the different sewing materials available, the felt fabric is one of the most versatile fabrics.
See Also: 11 Questions Every Beginner in Felt Crafts Should Ask
Felt can be used for many different DIY projects. You can use felt in almost any craft project, from children&#;s crafts to home decor and accessories to clothing. However, selecting the best-felt fabric is more complicated than it appears.
You&#;ll discover a limitless number of alternatives in any fabric or craft supply store.
Whatever felt DIY project you plan to undertake, you will undoubtedly want to ensure that your finished product is as attractive as possible. To do this, you must choose a genuinely premium quality felt fabric. But unfortunately, not all felt materials are the same.
See Also: Discover 5 Easy Ways to Clean Felt Crafts
But how can you decide which felt is ideal for your DIY projects when there are so many options?
Felt is a non-woven textile material. Unlike other fabrics formed by knitting the strands together, felt is made by compressing and matting the fibers from which it is generated to create a solid piece of material.
See Also: What are the Felt Types
Felt fabric can be made from various natural fibers, including wool and fur, or similarly made from artificial fibers such as rayon and acrylic. It is not uncommon for a fiber combination to be used to create felt.
See Also: 4 Types of Craft Felt &#; Learn to Choose and Use
Felt has been used for centuries; it is the oldest textile known to humans. Many different cultures have legends about the creation of the material. While some cultures still employ traditional felt-making methods, most felt fabrics used today are mass-produced.
As I mentioned, felt can be made from different types of natural and synthetic fibers. Some of the most common types of felt include:
Wool felt is made from 100 percent sheep wool fibers, creating a strong, dense, warm, and soft material. It can be purchased as a piece of fabric or cut by hand into more miniature sheets.
Wool felts produced by applying heat, moisture, and compression to the fibers, allowing them to fuse naturally without any binders.
Felt fabrics such as boiled wool, melton, or wool are not genuine felt. Natural felt is made from raw fiber, which felt fabrics are shrunk and filled to produce a felt-like material.
Compared to natural felt, felt fabrics are less dense, durable, knit better, and better suited to tailoring projects. As a result, wool felt is ideal for applications where strength and durability are essential, such as garments or handbags.
Unlike blended wool felt, 100% wool felt, as the name suggests, is made from 100% wool. 100% wool felt comes in a variety of thicknesses. 100% wool felt is sold by sheet or meter and is quite expensive. This felt gives a luxurious feel and is used by professionals such as hatters, fashion accessories, and footwear.
Craft felts are usually made from 100 percent synthetic fibers such as acrylic, polyester, rayon, or blended materials. It is generally sold in pre-cut squares. It is available in various colors and styles and, as the name suggests, is best used for craft projects. Handmade felt is available online and at major chain stores that carry fabric.
Eco-fi felt can be defined as an environmentally friendly felt for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Eco-fi felt is produced from polyester fiber made from 100 percent recycled plastic. They are similar to craft felt but slightly stiffer. Like craft felt, it is also available in various colors and patterns.
The Eco-fi felt type is usually 100% synthetic. Eco-fi felt is usually acrylic and comes in many colors. It&#;s commonly accessible in craft stores and on the internet. Most come in pre-cut thin sheets. Eco-fi felt for crafts is also available in glitter sheets, animal prints, and self-adhesive sheets.
Eco-friendly felts made from recycled plastics are similar to acrylic craft felts but are more environmentally friendly. This type of felt is also the perfect craft material because it is rugged, coarse, and waterproof.
Eco-friendly felts can be made from recycled felt, yarn fibers, or leftover carpet fibers. Given the phrase &#;eco-friendly&#; in its name, it makes sense that this felt does not use any chemicals or adhesives. Therefore, they are non-toxic and great for children.
In fact, the quality of the fabric depends on the type of felt. Most felt available from retail outlets is acrylic felt or wool felt. Acrylic or glitter felt are ideal for craft projects such as crafts and embellishments.
See Also: 15 Amazing Tips for Working with Felt
This type of felt is very rough and won&#;t stand up to rolling, so it&#;s best to buy wool felt if you&#;re making soft toys and other projects that will take a lot of work. Wool felt usually contains 20-35% wool and is ideal for sturdier craft projects. For example, you can make beautiful bags and hats using wool felt. In addition, wool felt can be used in garments such as collars and cuffs.
The features associated with quality felts are:
Tips for sewing with felt include:
Finding 100% wool felt can sometimes be quite tricky. That&#;s why you can also consider making your own felt. Old wool blankets or jumpers are an excellent choice for this. Simply wash your 100% wool fabric in hot water with a mild laundry detergent, rinse the fabric for about 30 minutes, and then dry it in a hot tumble dryer.
One of the reasons felt is so attractive is because of its versatility. So if you&#;re wondering what kind of projects you can make with this durable, colorful, easy-to-work, and relatively inexpensive material, take a look at some suggestions:
How to Make Felt Carrot
How to Make Felt Potatoes
How to Make a Felt Tomato
These are just a few of the different ways to use felt fabric. Honestly, there are so many other things that can be made from this material. The only thing that will limit you is your mind! So, craft a beautiful collection of durable felt materials and let your creativity take over!
You won&#;t believe how beautiful things you can make from felt!
For more information, please visit polyester fiber felt supplier.