Felt is an ancient and versatile material with a rich history and many practical uses that continue today. From crafts to music, here are some intriguing facts about this unique fabric.
Felt is One of the Oldest Fabrics
Felt predates both weaving and knitting, with evidence of felt-making dating back to the Iron Age. It is one of the earliest fabrics known to humankind.
The Origins of Felt
The beginnings of felt are surrounded by stories from different cultures. One tale tells of Saint Clement and St. Christopher, who packed wool in their sandals while fleeing persecution. Heat, moisture, and friction caused the wool fibers to fuse into felt. Another story connects felt to Noah’s Ark, where animal activity compressed wool into a mat-like surface.
DIY Home Felting
You can make felt at home using an old 100% wool jumper. Wash it on a hot cycle to shrink the fibers and cause them to mat together. This creates felt that can be cut for crafts without fraying. Using other fiber blends may not produce the same effect.
Felt and “Mad as a Hatter”
Hat makers in the 18th and 19th centuries created felt from animal fur using a process called “carroting,” which involved an orange solution containing mercury. Exposure caused mercury poisoning, giving rise to the phrase “as mad as a hatter.” Mercury use in felt production was banned in 1941.
Wet Felting Technique
Wet felting is a traditional method using wool fibers, soap, and water. Friction causes the fibers to interlock, forming a durable felt fabric commonly used in crafts and sewing projects.
Fuzzy Felt Toy
Introduced in the 1950s, Fuzzy Felt was a children’s toy with felt shapes placed on a flocked board to create pictures. Invented by Lois Allan during World War II, it sold over 29 million sets worldwide and remains a beloved classic.
Felt in Musical Instruments
Felt is used in many musical instruments, including pianos, drums, and accordions, where it dampens sound, cushions hammers, and contributes to tone quality.