What is felt made from?

Answer 1

Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction materials. Felt can be of any color, and made into any shape or size. Felt is the oldest form of fabric known to humankind. It predates weaving and knitting, although there is archaeological evidence from the British Museum that the first known thread was made by winding vegetable fibers on the thigh.[citation needed] In Turkey, the remains of felt have been found dating back at least to 6,500 BC. Highly sophisticated felted artefacts were found preserved in permafrost in a tomb in Siberia and dated to 600 AD. Many cultures have legends as to the origins of feltmaking. Sumerian legend claims that the secret of feltmaking was discovered by Urnamman of Lagash.[citation needed] The story of Saint Clement and Saint Christopher relates that while fleeing from persecution, the men packed their sandals with wool to prevent blisters. At the end of their journey, the movement and sweat had turned the wool into felt socks.[citation needed] For a long time, the economy of what is now Canada was based on the fur trade, the hunting of beaver (and, to a lesser extent, other animals) for the felt industry in Europe. This led to a very basic colonization, organized by fur trade companies, until governmental measures were taken to ensure a real economic and demographic development. Feltmaking is still practiced by nomadic peoples in Central Asia, where rugs, tents and clothing are regularly made. Some of these are traditional items, such as the classic yurt, while others are designed for the tourist market, such as decorated slippers. In the Western world, felt is widely used as a medium for expression in textile art as well as design, where it has significance as an ecological textile.

Answer 2

To make wool industrially, first, you process the raw wool to remove contaminants such as twigs or dirt. Then you sort the wool according to the length and fineness of the fibres. Next, you blow the clean wool around a vat to mix the fibres together, sometimes blending in other fibres to alter the appearance or feel of the finished product. Now you apply heat and moisture, using either hot water or another liquid. Finally you press or mat the wool into shape to form felt.

Wool and other animal fibers felt because each hair has tiny, unidirectional scales along its surface. These scales can be interlocked by applying friction, creating a felt fabric. Wet felting, as described above, uses friction, heat (which helps to raise the scales), and a lubricating fluid (to facilitate the movement of the fibers against each other) to create this effect.

Answer 3

Felt is made by pressing and condensing woollen fibres.

Answer 4

wool. from sheep