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Features - Needle Feling
Featured in the Christmas Issue December 2011
Written By Make Me
Needle felting is one of the most popular classes at MakeMe and seems to be cropping up everywhere. People are amazed at what can be created and are even more surprised when they see how it’s done! It’s not difficult really but the possibilities are endless…
Felting (wet felting) is actually a very ancient craft that has recently undergone a revival. Making felt from wool was one of the first textile inventions as it dates back to early Neolithic cultures. It predates spinning, weaving and knitting with wool by a long way! Ancient examples of felted work can be found in Greece, Turkey, Persia, India and China.
The story goes that felting was discovered by accident when wool fleece from sheep was put into boots for warmth and under saddles to protect horses’ flanks. The moisture, friction and heat generated by movement resulted in some of the first felt pieces. Recognising the warmth of the material, felt came to be commonly used.
Most of us have inadvertently created our own pieces of felt by washing a wool jumper in water that is too hot.
Felting (wet felting) is actually a very ancient craft that has recently undergone a revival. Making felt from wool was one of the first textile inventions as it dates back to early Neolithic cultures. It predates spinning, weaving and knitting with wool by a long way! Ancient examples of felted work can be found in Greece, Turkey, Persia, India and China.
The story goes that felting was discovered by accident when wool fleece from sheep was put into boots for warmth and under saddles to protect horses’ flanks. The moisture, friction and heat generated by movement resulted in some of the first felt pieces. Recognising the warmth of the material, felt came to be commonly used.
Most of us have inadvertently created our own pieces of felt by washing a wool jumper in water that is too hot.
The result is that the fibres have ‘felted’ together from the friction and heat. Although the felt may be lovely in itself, the jumper is probably too small to wear!
Methods of creating patterns in felt have been developed throughout history and wonderful workshops can be found today where you learn how to arrange the wool fleece in attractive patterns. The difficulty is that the process of friction required to create the felt will often distort the pattern. Needle felting is the answer to the problem!
Since the Industrial Revolution, felt has been created using the wet method. However, it was discovered that when barbed needles are used they create friction and meld the fibres
Methods of creating patterns in felt have been developed throughout history and wonderful workshops can be found today where you learn how to arrange the wool fleece in attractive patterns. The difficulty is that the process of friction required to create the felt will often distort the pattern. Needle felting is the answer to the problem!
Since the Industrial Revolution, felt has been created using the wet method. However, it was discovered that when barbed needles are used they create friction and meld the fibres
together without the use of water and heat.
This method was adapted and used in craft in the 1980s. Some ingenious artists used the barbed felting needles traditionally used in industrial factories to embellish already felted fabric. These techniques have continued to develop and some stunning needle felted work has been produced.
To needle felt the only equipment required is wool fleece, felting needles and a sponge. Wool fleece (sometimes referred to as ‘wool tops’) is sheep’s wool that has been scoured, combed and dyed but not yet spun into yarn. The result is a wonderfully soft, fluffy length of wool fibre. Felting needles are made from carbon steel and are about 3 inches long. They have an ‘L’ shaped hook at the top and have a triangular shaft. This
This method was adapted and used in craft in the 1980s. Some ingenious artists used the barbed felting needles traditionally used in industrial factories to embellish already felted fabric. These techniques have continued to develop and some stunning needle felted work has been produced.
To needle felt the only equipment required is wool fleece, felting needles and a sponge. Wool fleece (sometimes referred to as ‘wool tops’) is sheep’s wool that has been scoured, combed and dyed but not yet spun into yarn. The result is a wonderfully soft, fluffy length of wool fibre. Felting needles are made from carbon steel and are about 3 inches long. They have an ‘L’ shaped hook at the top and have a triangular shaft. This
shaft has many barbs cut into it which causes the wool fibres to felt together. Felting needles come in varying sizes (gauges) depending on the type of work undertaken the results desired. A sponge is also very useful when needle felting as it provides protection from the extremely sharp needles!
Needle felting can produce three dimensional shapes (like teddy bears) or flat pieces of work like paintings.
Needle felting can produce three dimensional shapes (like teddy bears) or flat pieces of work like paintings.
