MONICA BENNETT

Fibre Artist - Felt

FELT- Description of An Ancient Art

Felt is believed to be the first material made by humans. Wool becomes felt through the application of heat, a change in pH levels and agitation. It is thought that shepherds collected discarded wool to line their footwear.The sweat from their feet, heat from their bodies and the movement of walking turned the wool to felt, creating a usable fabric. Because the raw material was so readily available, felt was used in many ways - as clothing, to line armour, for rugs and as dwellings called yurts. Raw wool was dyed, laid out in a variety of patterns, thoroughly wet and then trodden on until it felted. As techniques evolved, wool was rolled up and tied around rods, then animals such as camels pulled the package, letting it roll along behind them. In many regions of the near and far east, especially where nomadic tribes live, felt is made in the traditional manner still.

For my art and functional pieces, I work with both raw and processed wool, some of which is already dyed and some I dye myself. I felt by hand, rubbing the wool with warm, soapy water until it starts to hold together. Then the felt is hand rolled and rubbed as much as 100-150 times per side. Throwing the felt is a final step that shocks the wool fibres even closer together, creating a very dense material. Felt can be formed into a rug, seamless hat or purse or it can be cut and sewn into functional items such tea cosies, bags and pieced hats. For lovely, soft flowing scarves, the wool is felted through silk gauze and handled more gently. I dye or hand paint the silk to complement the wool.

I really enjoy the whole process of making felt - from laying out the wool in patterns and designs, to working and controlling the felting with my hands. When I touch and work the felt, I'm directly in contact with my art. I have complete control over the end product. My hands can tell me when the piece is finished, when it is properly felted. No other fibre art has involved me in the actual process as much as felting. The possibilities for expression and exploration of this art are, for me, endless.