Felt is a material that I have used on occasion as it can be of any colour, and made into any shape or size. I have bought rectangular pieces from Hobbycraft and tried cutting out shapes and die-cutting designs out of it.
Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing woolen fibres. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction materials. It has many uses but recently it has been making its way more and more into the world of home décor.
It appears designers and manufacturers are realising its versatility and trying all manner of techniques to create unusual objects and home accessory items. I found an article that supports this, about a designer called Mary-Ann Williams who is described as the “Queen of Felt” and produces some of the most interesting designs from it; from rugs to cards and lighting.
I have created a mood board of interesting felt finds that I have made. It is intriguing to see how different designers are using the same media to create different objects. Some die-cut it, some produce large items opposed to small, some use the felt as a surface to embroider on, some layer it and others create 3D objects out of it – to mention but a few.
While researching I came across The Home Shopping Spy’s website who had focused on felt as an emerging trend for 3D wall coverings. The post mentioned designer Selina Rose who created a 3D surface out of many felt cut butterflies, layered on top of one another in coordinating colours. Selina is known for specialising in felt home wares, and her collection once again shows the changeability of this material as she is able to use it in so many ways.
A while ago, as mentioned I was working on some props and experimented with felt myself. Overlaying colours, stitching edges and even applying jewels to the surface to embellish it further. The end result was a folk style heart with birds and flowers that now hangs up in the Decorque studio.
So maybe it’s time you experimented with felt and introduce it into your designs somehow? If not that, then maybe bring it into your living space as a decorative home accessory.
Mood board Image Refs: Stella Felt Rug – Michelle Mason http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/michellemason/product/stella_felt_rug_black Placemat – http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com/feltcut-mat-lovebird-ivory-circle Typographic rugs by John Pour Home – http://littlewillow.com/category/home-decor/page/10/ Selina Rose felt homewares – http://www.selinarose.co.uk/ The Queen of felt – Mary-Ann Williams – http://blog.ponoko.com/2009/02/20/the-queen-of-felt/ Felt poufee – http://sweetserendipitydesign.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/felt-flower-headband.html Loop Accessory holders – http://www.mocha.uk.com/press/loop-accessories-holder/ Garland – http://theluxhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Christmas-Decoration-Accessories-Grey-Felt-Snowflake-Garland-39.jpg Felt corsage – trends – http://homeshoppingspy.com/tag/felt-corsage/ Handmade bird decorations – http://lupinhandmade.com/ Felt mobile/garland – http://blog.girlybubble.com/2011/04/09/daily-etsy-shortcake-party-picks/ Felt blackberry cases – www.thisnext.com Emboirdered felt – http://www.sewmamasew.com/2008/01/valentine-ideas/?cpage=1
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