Felting is a processing technique for wool which yields a non-wowen fabric of unusual sturdiness, water resistance, and wind resistance.

Felting is a processing technique for wool which yields a non-wowen fabric of unusual sturdiness, water resistance, and wind resistance.

Human have been felting wool for centuries. The fact that the fabric is able to endure for centuries shows how strong a piece of felted fabric can be. Felting has been around far longer than knitting and weaving, since it is relatively easy to do in comparison with either of these techniques.

To felt wool, the wool is washed and combed to clean it and make all the fibers run in roughly the same direction. Hanks of wool are laid into large pans with soapy water in layer below. When wool gets wet, the small scales of the individual hairs open up, and agitation causes the scales to interlock with each other, forming a solid mat of material. The heat, pressure, moisture, and friction involved in felting create a solid piece of fabric from the individual fibers.

When a textile which has already been made is subjected to a similar process, it is known as fulling.

Traditionally, fulling was accomplished by beating, rolling, or walking on the fabric. This process was rather painstaking, and most modern commercially fulled fabrics use hot soapy water and agitation, just like with felting. Timing the fulling process is rather challenging, and requires a close eye.

To arrest the fulling process, the garment can be plunged into cold water. Since fulling can always be continued, many crafters err on the side of caution and cold plunge garments frequently while they are fulling.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-29