Felt
is a material made of mated wool fibers. It’s very likely to be the first
form of fabric made by man.
It’s created when friction and heat are applied to wet wool. When wool
is wet, the tiny scales that cover the fibers’surface open up. You add
friction, and the scales tangle and lock. The temperature and the PH of the
water affect how much the scales open up. That’s why in most cases, the
felter uses hot water with a little soap added.
How do I care for felt items ?
It’s
made of 100% wool, so you can wash out any stains or dirt like would your
favorite sweater :
Warm water and a little Woolite (or similar wool specific detergent ). Then
a good rinse in warm water.
To help remove any remaining trace of soap in the felt ( that can damage the
wool in the long run), you can add a bit of white vinegar in your final rinse.
Lay flat to dry. If your garment looks a bit funky at this point, don't worry.
Ironing on a wool setting with steam will fix that. As you iron your felt
item, gently pull on the material to shape it back into place.
You should never put your felt items in the wash or the dryer.
If you have moths living in your area, it’s a good idea to store your Lili la Malice products with moth repellents, as they love the fine wool we use. Eucalyptus oil and cedar wood are good natural moth repelents.
Also, if it's subject to a lot of fricition (like a handbag rubbing against your arm), felt might start to pill in the long run. That doesn't affect it's durability, but if you want to, you can shave the felt with a disposable razor to get rid of the pilling.
I’m allergic to wool. Can I wear your products ?
Well, felt is made of wool, so you’re likely to have a reaction to my felt products.
Is felt hard to make ?
Felting wool in itself is pretty easy : stick your 100% wool sweater in the
washer on warm, and you’re very likely to end up with some felt. However,
creating detailed shapes and quality, even and strong felt requires a lot
of practice, and also takes a long time to make !
.
