Κατασκευή χειροποίητου felt

HANDMADE FELT

Felt is a fabric made from sheep’s wool. The particularity of this material is that it is created without any tools, only our hands and water! This is possible due to the morphology of ovine fiber. If observed under the microscope, one can see that it is scale like, unlike the goat’s which is smooth. This is what makes wool to “felt up” as you work it with water and friction.

This technique is the oldest method of fabric construction and has its roots in the vast steppes of Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan. It was also used in ancient Greece and was called it “pilema”. The strange thing is that in modern Greece there is no evidence of it being used at least for the past 100 years. None of old ladies I socialize with knows this simple way of sheep fabric manufacturing, but do know all about the art of the loom!

In the recent years felt has made a comeback all the way from northern Europe where it has gained the status of modern art. Nowadays varieties like fine wool merino, alpaca, cashmere combined with silk and linen and cotton fabrics are used in the making of felt . The results are impressive and most importantly fast, as the modern man is not characterized by his patience!!