The Magic of Wool Felt
I continually strive to see the world through the eyes of a child. It’s that magic – that unquenchable curiosity they use to view common, everyday experiences and objects. It’s their attention to detail. They notice everything. “Why does your sweater have 2 part patterns on it, Mrs. Dirks?”
Working with 5 and 6 year olds for 38+ years taught me to really examine things. Their color, texture, pattern, design – they all contribute to the overall experience.
Working with children taught me the importance of traditions. Whether decorating the tree or hanging our paper made stockings by the fireplace, they’re excitement was palpable! It was magical!
Christmas was always my favorite holiday. Even though my family was poor, there were always presents under the tree. I’m not sure how that happened? But it was my 5-year-old Christmas that I remember most of all. I awoke Christmas morning to find a child’s size Singer sewing machine under the tree! One that really sewed!! From that moment on I was hooked! But it was in my adult tailoring class that the magic of wool was demonstrated to me. When the scaled wool fibers are exposed to heat, moisture and friction (or agitation), they open up and begin to intertwine. The more you agitate, the more they bind together. Then if they are immediately exposed to cold water, they close and bind to each other, creating a fabric that is durable, shapeable, supple, warm, fire resistant and absorbent; one that can be cut without raveling. They become felted wool. Wool that can again be exposed to heat (with a steam iron) and reshaped and formed to get the exact desired shape and effect.
Wool in any form, be it yarn, wool batt, fabric or garment can be felted. And, depending on the type of wool, the type of sheep that it came from, and how it was spun into yarn, becomes fabric of different densities and textures. Many even become 3 dimensional. Wool sweaters are my fabric and felted wool sweaters are my medium. By incorporating the unique features of the original sweater (including pockets, zippers, appliqué, embroidery, etc.) I can create stockings that have the same style as the sweater, each one of a kind that can be used for holding traditional gifts or stuffed with decorations for seasonal display. They can then be passed down, from generation to generation, often becoming treasured family heirlooms.
