View Details
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between 100% wool felt, wool blend felt and craft, other than price?! On first glance, you might not thing there's much of a difference but there is! Here’s the low down – find out the characteristics of these fabrics and which type is best for your crafts. What is felt? Felt is a non-woven material made by pressing and rolling fibres together. It’s thought to be one of the first fabrics made by man, with the earliest pieces dating back to 700 BC. Because it’s made without a loom it could be produced easily from wool. It’s strong and water repellant so was used to make clothing, saddles and tents. It’s still a very important fabric today, with many industrial uses in manufacturing and architecture, and it’s also hugely popular in crafting because it’s such a versatile, easy-to-use fabric. Felt can be made by hand (using wet felting and needle felting) but on a commercial scale it’s usually done with machinery. If you like the TV programme ‘Inside the Factory’ you might enjoy a read of this! 100% wool felt is made of pure wool only. Confusingly, wool blend felts are often called ‘wool felt’ but they usually have less than 40% wool in them (more on that below!). 100% wool felt usually contains merino wool, which is super soft and durable. Because it comes from a renewable source, wool is a sustainable product and will biodegrade. It’s important to check when buying this type felt that the wool is museling-free (a cruel practice sometimes used by sheep farmers). Ours is! 100% wool felt is evenly thick and smooth with a matt appearance. It cuts without leaving fuzzies and it doesn’t tend to pill (bobble) when rubbed so it’s hard wearing. This felt is dense so holds stitches well without being stretched out of shape, unlike a wool blend or acrylic felts, which tend to be thinner and less dense. 100% wool felt is washable. Just like your favourite woolly jumper, it’s best to do this delicately with a cool hand wash. There can be around 5% shrinkage on washing so if you are making anything that will be washed it’s a good idea to pre-shrink the felt before crafting with it. 100% wool felt holds dyes really well but some colours are not fast so it’s best to wash them separately if you need to. 100% wool felt can be ironed on a wool setting. Because of the natural oils present in 100% wool felt it is water repellant so seems to stay clean for longer. It’s also naturally fire-resistant (the best test for wool felt to set fire to it – if it only smolders and doesn’t catch fire it’s wool!). The natural oils in wool also give this felt antibacterial properties. Because it’s lovely to cut, stitch and stays smooth over time, 100% wool felt is a favourite amongst stitchers and toy makers because it has an heirloom quality. It is however the most expensive option and not widely available. This is often called wool felt but it usually has no more than 25-40% wool in it, with the rest of the fabric made up of man-made fibres such as rayon (viscose) or acrylic. This felt is thinner and less dense than 100% wool felt but is usually more durable than a craft felt. It has a tendency to go bobbly and stretch out of shape with use and, because of the synthetic fibres, some have a shine to them. This felt is smooth and holds stitches nicely. They do come in a huge range of colours and are less expensive than a 100% wool felt so are great when you are producing a large scale project, for making things that won’t get much wear or for children’s crafting. As it stretches easily, wool blend felt can be useful for felt flower making, if you want a leaf or petal to have a curled shape. This is the cheapest felt, often found in craft shops and schools. It’s made of 100% man-made fibres – acrylic, polyester, rayon or viscose. There are some more environmentally conscious choices now too – you can get felt made from a fibre produced from recycled plastic bottles or bamboo (bamboo is fast growing an doesn’t need chemical fertilizers so it’s a more sustainable choice). The one thing these felts have in common is that they are inexpensive however they tend to vary a lot depending on what type of fibre they are made from. It can be quite thin (sometimes you can see light coming through it) or very stiff. It usually has a plasticy shine to it and it’s easy to stretch out of shape. If you stitch onto it, the threads don’t ‘sink’ into the fabric so they look loose. This type of felt is great for getting young kids into crafting – just expect their creations to stand the test of time! It can also be handy if you want to test out a design before upgrading to a better quality felt. If you do use this felt, choose carefully – don’t pick the stiff type of craft felt if you are planning to make a stuffed toy. However, if you need a fabric with a bit of structure, the stiffer felts can be a great option. It’s also perfect for vegans. This image shows how seams look with different types of felt. You can see that because 100% wool felt is more dense than the other types of felt, the stiches don't pucker the seam. You can also see when you look closely that the wool blend felt and craft felt have a slight sheen to them. 100% wool felt Wool blend Craft Felt Composition 100% wool 20-40% wool 60-80% acrylic or rayon 0% (bamboo, plastic bottles, acrylic, rayon) Fraying No No No Stretching Dense so doesn’t stretch out of shape. Seams hold up well. Not as dense, can be stretched a bit. Seams hold up relatively well. Thin and very prone to stretching out of shape Seams may stretch and tear. Water repellant Yes A little No Safety Flame retardant Will catch fire but then go out Flammable Environmental impact Sustainable Sustainable (depending on composition) Non-biodegradable, depending on composition Washable Yes (but expect some shrinkage) Yes (but expect some shrinkage) Yes and won’t shrink Texture and appearance Smooth and soft. Matt appearance Smooth, soft, feels slightly ‘squeaky’. Slight sheen Often fuzzy or hard, depending on type. Jiatong supply professional and honest service. Sheen Colours Lots (but no very bright white as the heavy bleaching would damage the wool) Huge selection, including bright white Not so many, but includes a bright white Sustainable Yes, wool is a renewable source If it’s made of rayon Not always Hold stitches Really well Ok Not so well Pills (bobbles) Unlikely Somewhat likely Very likely Price £££ ££ £ There are so many types of felt to choose from these days - each works well depending on your aims and your budget. It's worth spending a little time when you start your next project to be sure that you are using the right type to give you the finished result you're looking for.
The fibres used to make felt can be natural like wool or bamboo, or synthetic like petroleum-based acrylic or wood-pulp based rayon. All of these fibres produce a felted fabric which won’t fray at the edges, so no hemming is required. However, the different fibres also give the felt fabric different properties and uses. Let’s look at these:100% wool felt
Wool Blend Felt
Craft Felt
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!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of felt toys manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.