FELTING: consolidation of certain fibrous materials by the application of heat, moisture, and mechanical action, causing the interlocking, or matting, of fibres possessing felting properties. Such fibres include wool, fur, and certain hair fibres that mat together under appropriate conditions because of their peculiar structure and high degree of crimp (waviness). Wool can produce felting even when mixed with other fibres. Unlike bonded fabrics, felts do not require an adhesive substance for their production. We learnt and used 3 types of felting, wet felting, needle felting and nuno felting.

 

MATERIALS:

• Wet felting: wools of different colours, soap/detergent (helps with binding), hot water
• Needle felting: wools, felting needle, sponge/foam block
• Nuno felting: wools, other fabric, felting needle, sponge/foam block

 

HOW:

Nuno felting: Repeat needle felting but on another fabric to interlock wool fibres into existing textile.

 

APPLIQUE: Appliqué is ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn or stuck onto a larger piece to form a picture or pattern.

 

Simply gather any fabric/material/textile, align them in your desired pattern and sew them onto each other or use nuno felting. I used the zig zag stitch on the sewing machine with different coloured threads to create a pattern on scrap felt.

APPLICATIONS:

FELTING: embroidered pieces, ornaments, bunting, scarfs, jewelry

 

APPLIQUE: wearables, jewelry, cushions/quilts

 

REFLECTION: felting is therapeutic, due to continuous repetitive motion of poking to interlock fibres. Wet felting was superb for creating gradients/ombre textiles and needle felting can be further used to create 3D textiles from plain formless fibres.

Applique is a great way to reuse leftover materials. With careful planning on matching materials and colours, a wholesome new textile with interesting textures can be formed.