felts

Felts are a class of non-woven textiles produced by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers so they interlock without the use of yarns or weaving. Natural felts are typically made from wool or fur fibers, which can felt together through moisture, heat, and agitation. Synthetic felts use polymer fibers and are created by similar non-woven processes or by mechanical techniques such as needle punching.

Most felts are manufactured by one of two main methods. Wet felting combines warm, soapy water with agitation to cause fibers to tangle and bond. Needle felting uses barbed needles to poke fibers repeatedly, mechanically entangling them into a dense sheet. Some industrial felts are produced by heat and adhesive bonding or by specialized non-woven processes to achieve specific performance characteristics.

Felts are dense and compact, offering good insulation and cushioning. They are generally water-repellent rather than waterproof because the interlocked fibers trap air but still allow moisture to pass under pressure. Care must be taken with heat and agitation, as felts can shrink, distort, or lose strength when exposed to high temperatures or rough handling. Natural felts can be sensitive to moths and pests over time.

Common uses include hats and fashion crafts, where felt’s bulk and pliability are valued. Felts also serve in crafts, padding, insulation, and various industrial applications such as gaskets, seals, sound damping, and filtration media. The term “felt” also encompasses synthetic and blended non-woven sheets designed to mimic or enhance these properties.

Felting is among the oldest textile techniques, with evidence of wool felting found in many cultures. Felt production and use grew widely in Europe and Asia for clothing, hats, and ceremonial items, and continues in contemporary crafts and industrial markets.