Felt

Felt is a textile material that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers together. Felt can be made of natural fibers such as wool or animal fur, or from synthetic fibers such as petroleum-based acrylic or acrylonitrile or wood pulp-based rayon. Blended fibers are also common.

History

Felt from wool is considered to be the oldest known textile. Many cultures have legends as to the origins of felt making. Sumerian legend claims that the secret of feltmaking was discovered by Urnamman of Lagash. The story of Saint Clement and Saint Christopher relates that the men packed their sandals with wool to prevent blisters while fleeing from persecution. At the end of their journey, the movement and sweat had turned the wool into felt socks.

Feltmaking is still practised by nomadic peoples in Central Asia, where rugs, tents and clothing are regularly made. Some of these are traditional items, such as the classic yurt (Gers), while others are designed for the tourist market, such as decorated slippers. In the Western world, felt is widely used as a medium for expression in both textile art and contemporary art and design, where it has significance as an ecologically responsible textile and building material.

Production

In addition to the textile uses, felt has many uses, ranging from musical instruments and crafts to clothing and home furnishings. Felt has special properties that allow it to be used for a wide variety of different purposes.

Types of Felt

There are many different types of felt, including:

• Industrial felt - This is the felt used in many industrial applications. It is typically very dense and durable, making it ideal for things like gaskets, wipers, and vibration mounts.

• Craft felt - This is the type of felt most commonly used in crafts. It is typically made from synthetic fibers and comes in a wide variety of colors.

• Designer felt - This type of felt is used in high-end applications like fashion, home decor, and acoustic sound design. It is often made from wool and has a very soft, luxurious feel.

• Eco-friendly felt - This type of felt is made from recycled materials. It is becoming increasingly popular as more people look for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional textiles.

See Also

• Textile
• Wool
• Fiber
• Crafts

References

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  Colored felt cloth

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  Kazakh yurt

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  Hawrami man with traditional headdress

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  Wool felt making in Kyrgyzstan

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  Needle felt making

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  Felting in Maymand

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  Rubberized valenki