Yes, you can technically make clothes out of wool felt, but simple wool felt (the kind that comes in squares or sheets) is often not an ideal material for sewing garments.
While wool felt is a versatile material used in various crafts, using the common sheet or square felt for clothing presents several challenges.
Why Simple Wool Felt Isn't Ideal for Garments
As highlighted in our reference, "Simple wool felt (the kind that comes in squares or sheets) is often not an ideal material for sewing garments." Here are some reasons why:
- Lack of Drape: Sheet felt tends to be stiff and doesn't flow or drape well like woven or knitted fabrics. This makes it unsuitable for garments that require movement and shape.
- Durability: Thin sheet felt can be prone to tearing or wearing out quickly, especially at seams or stress points.
- Seaming: Sewing felt can be tricky, and seams might not hold up as well as those on woven fabrics.
- Bulk: Thicker felts can add significant bulk to clothing, making it uncomfortable and difficult to tailor.
Alternatives and Considerations
If you're interested in wool-based garments, consider these alternatives:
- Woven Wool Fabrics: Materials like tweed, flannel, or gabardine are specifically designed for clothing, offering better drape, durability, and tailored finishes.
- Knitted Wool: Sweaters, cardigans, and other knitwear are made from wool yarn and offer flexibility and comfort suitable for clothing.
- Felted Knitwear: Sometimes, finished knitted wool items (like old sweaters) are intentionally felted (fulled) to create a denser, non-fraying material that can be used for upcycling into accessories or structured garment pieces, though not typically for entire flowing garments.
In summary: While you can sew simple items like vests or structured coats from specific types of thicker, more pliable felt, the standard craft felt found in sheets is generally not the material of choice for making wearable, comfortable, and durable clothing that requires good drape and movement.
