What is Felt?

I'm new on this site and most of the crafts call for felt...and i haven't heard of it until now..so i was wondering
*what is felt?
*where can u get it and how much does it cost?
and
*if i can find any felt...what is a good substute for it?
Thankx Happy

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
9 replies since 8th July 2010 • Last reply 8th July 2010

Reply #1:

felt is made of washed, dyed wool that was tumbled with pressure, movements and hot water with soap(i think it´s called fulling). The tiny scales of the wool get stuck to each other, the wool´s running-in and create a compact fabric or a shape you formed with your hands. you can buy it as somekind of sheets in different thicknesses that´s already felted or "raw" as felting wool that you have to felt. i think you can get it in craft shops for not that high prices... for example, dread falls you make out of felting wool, coasters or the base for many of hairpins on the site you can make out of these sheets.
and a substitute for felt sheets can be wool fabric!

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #2:

That is an awesome explanation. LOL

And you can get felt sheets at your local craft store from .10 cents to .25 cents. At least at mine you can..

That is why its a fave because it is so cheap. (=

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #3:

Good description LaLa!!! And it comes in many different prints and colors

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #4:

You can also get eco-felt made from recycled plastic bottles.I'm allergic to wool and this makes a great eco and deb friendly alternative. The pink backing for Violetta's inchies use a sheet of this.
You can make felt by washing wool or natural fibre ( alpaca or cashmere) at high temperature this shrinks and mats the fibre.Look out in thrift stores/charity shops for supplies of old sweaters etc.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #5:

Wow LaLa that is some explanation. Felt is meant to be good for novice crafters (like myself) I never realised how much stuff you can make with felt!!!!

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #6:

thanks!! Happy had to learn that much about felt/wool in textile technology in my first year... i think it was worth doing it Happy

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #7:

I love felt. It's so easy to work with. It's great for beginners or advance crafters. I love how it doesn't fray at the edges and that it's so cheap. I have two big drawers full of the stuff. It comes in so many different colors and patterns. At a craft store near me, they have them in animal prints and army prints.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #8:

I love felt, it's easy to work with/shape, it's comes in so many colors and patterns, and like Jeanette said it doesn't fray! I LOVE THAT! Fraying is so annoying and can take joy out of fabric shopping Happy And it is true, it's very cheap, I buy all my felt in large quantities Happy

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #9:

Yes I love felt to , and the process of making it is amazing to me.
I saw a video on you tube of the Mongolians making it to cover their
homes, you can do so much with it.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam


Reply