Felted fabric is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing
and pressing together animal fibers, deliberately, to create a thick sheet
of cloth. The fiber shrinks and wraps each other tightly. It is much dense,
yet flexible at the same time. Felt can be created of any shape or it can be
cut in any direction without unraveling at the edges.The production process of the felted fabric has been improved a lot. Now it can produce felt with a uniform width and thickness adding a wide range of colors. Felt does not ravel, hence no edge finishing is required. If desired, binding the edges or overcasting with hand embroidery stitches is done.
Felted fabric is the oldest form of fabric known to mankind. Legend claims that the Chinese invented felted fabric accidentally by putting wool under a saddle for padding. The heat and sweat of the horse's body and the friction under the saddle caused the wool to form felt. The Europeans believe that felt was first made by a saintly pilgrim who had put the wool inside his sandals and made soles. The Arabs believe that a camel driver did the same. However, felted fabric has been found in the frozen tombs of Siberia which dates back to 2000 BC.
Characteristics of Felted Fabric
- It is dense.
- It is flexible.
- It is strong.
- It is durable.
- It is wind-proof to some extent.
- Insulation
- Linings
- Paddings
- Filters
- Footwear
- Hats
- Garments
