Handicrafts with Felt! 🧣

Felt Craft Art Felt Fabrics One of the traditional and ancient fabrics in Iran, made from wool, is felt, which does not use weaving knots like many other fabrics. In making this type of fabric, with the help of air humidity, heat, and pressure, the wool fibers are interwoven to create a smooth and uniform texture. Felt is made in all Iranian provinces, but its quality varies from one province to another, primarily depending on the pressure applied to the fabric and fibers.

Felt fabric has advantages over other types of fabrics. For example, it takes less than a day to make and is much more cost-effective. Felt fabrics are widely used in the textile industry, and they have created a good market for manufacturers and suppliers. Today, unlike the past, traditional felt fabrics are not made anymore, and in factories, natural fibers are used instead of wool. Modern felt fabric is made from synthetic fibers, which resemble natural felt. Felt fabrics with synthetic fibers are sold in two thicknesses, 2mm and 5mm, in various sizes. Patterned felt fabrics are available in styles such as polka dot, floral, heart-shaped, and others printed with specific patterns like watermelon designs.

History of Felt Craft Felt is believed to be the oldest fabric in the world. The oldest archaeological evidence of felt dates back to 6500 BC, making it older than any woven or knitted fabric. Different cultures have various legends about the origin of felt. For example, in Western tradition, the invention of felt is attributed to Saint Clement or Saint James, who reportedly placed natural fibers in their sandals to prevent blisters, and these fibers turned into felt due to heat, pressure, and foot sweat. According to Sumerian legends, felt fabric was discovered by the heroic warrior Urnamman. The origins of felt may not be as prominent in other cultures, but felt-making has played a key role in the life of Eurasian communities for thousands of years. For example, Tibetans have used felt for insulation for centuries, and even today, holy Tibetan figures like the Dalai Lama wear traditional felt hats. Early Indian cultures used felt for blankets and saddles, while ancient Iranians and Turks often used felt flooring. One of the most significant uses of felt in ancient times was for building Mongol yurts, circular houses that remain a primary form of habitation in the Eurasian steppe. Though the oldest preserved examples of felt were found in Turkey, historical evidence shows that the Altai Mountains were where felt was first transformed into more complex products. The residents of this region continue their thousands-year-old tradition and still produce felt for yurts and tourist items.

How to Sew Felt Felt fabrics can be sewn by hand or with a sewing machine using regular thread, and one of the most common stitches for felt is the backstitch. Some felt designs should be sewn with specialty threads such as embroidery floss or tapestry yarn. For parts of felt where you don't want the stitching to show, it is better to use invisible thread.

Stitching Techniques It is best to start with felt patterns, such as bags, dolls, animals, etc. You can find these patterns in various sizes online, then trace the desired design onto the felt and cut it out. It’s recommended to draw the pattern measurements carefully to avoid issues when crafting your items. After tracing the pattern and cutting it, it’s time to sew and assemble the pieces. Use pins to hold the pieces together, then sew each part carefully and precisely for a neat finish. Once the doll is fully sewn, you can add eyes or buttons to its clothes to make it look more realistic and beautiful.

Uses of Felt Fabric Felt fabric is made from wool and is most commonly used in doll making. The fabric has special heat-retaining properties and is very light in weight. It absorbs moisture well and provides significant warmth. It also has high flexibility, allowing it to take various shapes.

Felt fabric does not lose its shape easily unless washed excessively. However, if exposed to too much water, it may lose its original form.

For shaping this fabric, it’s recommended to use an iron, ensuring that the heat is mild enough to avoid burning the fabric.

This fabric is available in various colors and is widely used in making decorative items. Today, felt fabric is sold in 140 different colors in the fabric market.

Felt fabrics with a thickness of 2mm are used for decorative items, and they have higher flexibility than those with a thickness of 5mm. The 5mm thick felt fabrics have less flexibility but offer more durability than the thinner ones.

Types of Stitches in Felt Craft

• Running Stitch: Start by passing the needle from the back of the fabric to the front. Repeat with equal spacing between stitches, keeping the stitches neat and even for a beautiful finish.

• Back Stitch: This stitch resembles machine sewing and is used when strong hand stitches are needed or when a sewing machine is unavailable.

• Whip Stitch: To make this stitch, pass the needle through two layers of felt, leaving a small space from the edge, and continue sewing to form loops.

• Ladder Stitch: Used mainly in doll-making for joining different parts of the body and sewing seams, this stitch creates a step-like pattern along the edges.

French Knot: Commonly used in felt craft to mark spots or stitch eyes on dolls, this stitch involves wrapping the thread around the needle and passing it through the fabric to form a knot.

Learning the Blanket Stitch
There are two methods for stitching felt, depending on whether you are stitching from one side to another in a straight line or in a circular pattern. Each method follows specific steps to ensure neat and secure stitching.