Transforming WOOL
FROM THE SOURCE OF THE MATTER
The wool used as raw material in the workshops D’ UN PAS FEUTRÉ, aims to encourage the development of rare or endangered breeds of sheep, offering a beautiful diversity of fleece types, adapted to each project. We mix different types of materials and colors during the carding process and are delighted to discover new wools during artist residencies or other out-of-studio projects.
The entire wool transformation process is carried out with a constant concern for health and the environment (soaps, dyes…). This is an integral part of our mission and know-how.
THE WOOL FELT
Characteristics :
Felt is essentially a “non-woven” (threadless) fabric, whose fibers are amalgamated, under the combined effect of friction and humidity, without any other binding component. The majority of animal fibers of “WOOL type” (known as protein fibers) can felt and full naturally. Traditional felts are made from this unusual property!More recently, the “felt effect” can be reproduced on any type of fiber by the mechanical use of “felting needles”, such as for example for commercial felt.
Depending on the base materials and techniques used, felt can be made soft or rigid, thin or thick, raw or refined and be composed of several types of fibers. It can be embroidered, beaded, sewn, pleated, cut, moulded, dyed…
A RICH HISTORY THAT IS RESURFACING!
Felt is recognized as the oldest form of textile in the world …
The oldest felt artefact found, dates from the Neolithic period (6500-6300 BC). Others come from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. One of the most famous is a large felted mural measuring 4.5 by 6.5 meters, demonstrating appliqué, mosaic and insertion techniques, accentuated with rich embroidered motifs. It was found in a tomb on the high plateaus of the Altai Mountains in Pazyryk, Siberia. It can be admired in the Leningrad Museum.
Masks, protective capes, decorated saddle blankets for horses, ornaments and ceremonial clothing, remarkable blankets, stockings and shoes, colorful design carpets … all demonstrating an impressive degree of ancestral know-how in the field of felt making.
The Greeks doubled their helmets’s inside with felt, the Romans, as well as Chinese warriors, wore felt breastplates as protection. From Turkey to Mongolia, nomadic peoples made “yurts”; a transportable circular house made of felt panels and wooden frames. In North Africa, nomads have felt tents. Not to mention the clothing found in Egypt…
North America was explored through the beaver fur trade to fuel the thriving beaver hat felt manufacturing industry! These hats became a symbol of social status from 1600 to 1850 .
In general, felts were made by wetting, beating, rolling, or pressing the fiber.
http://www.hbcheritage.ca/things/fashion-pop/beaver-hats
http://www.historyofclothing.com/textile-history/felt-and-feltmaking-history
https://chaoticfibres.com/felting/the-story-of-felting/
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/beaver-pelts
https://www.montessorihandwork.com/post/a-story-of-the-history-of-felt
https://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/fabrics-fibers/felt
QUALITIES AND PROPERTIES OF THE WOOL MATERIAL :
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Does not accumulate static electricity, therefore does not attract dust.
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Flame resistant, does not encourage combustion (does not melt).
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Acoustic.
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In the case of felt, easy maintenance and washing, because the wool is already fulled!
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Anti-allergenic: does not encourage the growth of mites or bacteria. Wool fibers are too long to be inhaled and do not affect asthmatics.
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Natural fan: purifies the air by absorbing air pollutants and gases. Can absorb 1/3 of its weight in humidity and therefore acts as an atmospheric controller.
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Healthy for the environment: Renewable and biodegradable resource.
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Noble, warm and inviting material.
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Flexible, versatile and adaptable (wide variety of natural textures and colors).
All in all, a good investment!