On 10/11/2022, Sandi Atkins presented a brief history
of how it was discovered that wool from the fleece of sheep and other animals
can be made into a fabric call felt when it is moistened, compressed and
agitated. Wool felt has amazing
qualities – it is waterproof, windproof, acts as an insulator, is fire
retardant and mold resistant and wards off wear and tear. Felt was used in prehistoric times to cover
yurts, make armor and other wearable items. In addition to wet felting wool, it
can also be created by stabbing fibers with barbed needles that cause them to
adhere to each other. This was first
done commercially in the 1880s with large felting machines to create
insulation, rug pads and other industrial items. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that felting began
to be done on a small scale and is now used to create beautiful wearable items
using wet and nuno felting and art and craft items using needle felting.
Sandi brought a needle felting
project for the members to make using wool fiber, felting needles and foam
pads. Each member used a cookie cutter
to shape a felt piece that they decorated for a Christmas ornament.
