In the world of textiles, the terms “felt fabric” and “felted fabric” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two different materials and processes. Both fabrics are versatile, warm, and durable. However, understanding the differences between the fabrics can help you choose the most suitable one for your next craft project.
What is Wool Felt fabric?
Felt fabric is a nonwoven textile made by compressing and matting fibres up until they form a dense, durable material. It can be made from various fibres, but wool is the most desirable due to its natural felting properties. It looks great and has a lovely feel. However, synthetic fibres such as acrylic or polyester are widely used in commercially produced felt fabric. This felt is much cheaper and is generally found in craft stores, and it is ideal for children’s crafts. Wool felt fabric can be found online at the Wool Felt Company
The process of creating felt fabric is relatively straightforward. The fibres are combed and layered, then subjected to heat, moisture, and pressure. This causes the fibres to interlock, creating a sturdy fabric that doesn’t fray or unravel. Felt is often used in crafting, sewing, and even industrial applications because of its strength, insulation properties, and resistance to tearing.
Commercial felt is typically mass-produced and available in various colours, thicknesses, and fibre blends. It is easy to work with for projects like appliqué, home décor, making Christmas tree decorations and toys.
What is Wool Felted Fabric?
On the other hand, felted fabric is made using a slightly different process. Instead of being formed from loose fibres like felt fabric, the felted fabric is made by taking a pre-existing textile, usually knitted or woven wool fabric, and then subjecting it to the felting process. This involves agitating the wool in hot water and soap, which causes the fibres to shrink and interlock. As a result, the fabric becomes denser, thicker, more durable, and frays less.
The image below shows various 100% wool fabrics and tweeds upcycled from clothes that have been washed at a high temperature and tumbled dried to create felted fabric.
Felted fabric retains some of the qualities of the original material but with added benefits like improved strength. Felting wool is a common technique for upcycling old wool knitwear items and all wool woven fabric, transforming them into sturdy fabric for crafting or creating new items like coasters, bags, or blankets.
One of the main advantages of felted fabric is its eco-friendliness. By felting old or unused wool garments, you can extend their lifespan and repurpose them into new, sustainable projects. This process aligns perfectly with the ethos of Cwtch Lifestyle, where upcycling and sustainable crafting are at the heart.
The accidental felting
I am sure we have all at one time made felted fabric by accident. A jumper ends up in the washing machine at a high temperature by mistake and comes out half the size.
Key Differences Between Felt and Felted Fabric
While both felt and felted fabrics share similarities, their differences lie in how they are made and their end uses:
- Production: Felt fabric is made from raw fibres through matting and compressing, while felted fabric is created by shrinking pre-existing wool textiles through the felting process.
- Texture: Felt fabric tends to be smooth and uniform, while felted fabric often retains some texture from the original knitted or woven material.
- Sustainability: Felted fabric offers an eco-friendly approach by repurposing existing materials, making it an excellent choice for sustainable crafting projects.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between felt and felted textiles can help you choose the best fabric for your next project.
