What is felting?
Felting is a fiber craft that involves matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together to create fabric. It’s a versatile craft with a rich history and many different techniques to explore.
There are three main types of felting:
- Wet felting: This technique uses warm, soapy water to agitate the fibers until they interlock and create a dense fabric.
- Needle felting: This technique uses barbed needles to repeatedly stab the fibers, causing them to tangle and compress.
- Nuno felting: This technique combines wool fibers with other fabrics, like silk, to create lightweight and flowing felted pieces.
Felting is a popular craft for many reasons. It’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to create everything from small embellishments to large rugs. It also offers endless creative possibilities, with unique textures and colors to explore. Plus, felting is accessible to both beginners and experienced crafters.
This article will define felting by describing each of the three main techniques, the materials you’ll need, and the process involved. We’ll also explore the diverse applications and uses of each technique, so you can discover the world of felt making.