Understanding Felted Purses
A felted purse is a type of handbag or pouch crafted from wool or other animal fibers that have undergone the process of felting. This textile art involves matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together to create a dense, non-woven fabric. The resulting material is known for its unique texture, durability, and often, its seamless construction possibilities.
Methods of Felting Purses
Two primary methods are employed to create felted purses:
- Wet Felting: This traditional technique uses water, soap (acting as a lubricant and to alter pH), and agitation (friction) to interlock wool fibers. The purse is typically shaped around a resist (a template) or by fulling a knitted or crocheted item until it shrinks and felts.
- Needle Felting: This dry felting method involves using special barbed needles to repeatedly stab into wool fibers, tangling and compacting them. It’s often used for adding embellishments, creating sculptural details on a pre-felted base, or making smaller, firm felted items.
Advantages of Felted Purses
- Durability: The interlocking nature of felted fibers creates a strong and resilient fabric that can withstand daily use.
- Unique Aesthetic: Each felted purse can be inherently unique due to the hands-on felting process. They offer a distinct textural and visual appeal.
- Lightweight: Despite their sturdiness, felted wool purses are generally lightweight.
- Water Resistance: Wool naturally has water-repellent properties, and the dense structure of felt enhances this, offering some protection to contents.
- Eco-Friendly Potential: When made from natural, sustainably sourced wool and natural dyes, felted purses can be a biodegradable and environmentally conscious choice.
Caring for Your Felted Purse
Proper care will extend the life of your felted purse:
- Spot Cleaning: For minor spills, gently dab the area with a damp cloth and mild detergent suitable for wool. Avoid vigorous rubbing.
- Hand Washing: If more thorough cleaning is needed, hand wash in lukewarm water with a wool-specific soap. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring) and reshape the purse while damp.
- Drying: Air dry flat, away from direct heat or sunlight. Stuffing the purse with undyed paper or a clean towel can help it retain its shape while drying.
- Pilling: Over time, some pilling may occur. This can be carefully removed with a fabric shaver or by gently plucking the pills.
Key Considerations
When selecting or crafting a felted purse, consider the following:
- Fiber Type: Different wool breeds (e.g., Merino, Corriedale, Shetland) will result in varying textures, felting speeds, and durability. Non-wool fibers like alpaca or mohair can also be felted or blended.
- Density of Felt: A well-felted purse will be firm and hold its shape. Insufficiently felted items may be flimsy, less durable, or prone to stretching.
- Design and Embellishments: Felting allows for diverse designs, from simple, minimalist forms to intricately decorated pieces incorporating silk fibers, yarns, beads, or needle-felted details.
- Hardware and Closures: The choice of handles (felted, leather, chain), zippers, magnetic snaps, buttons, or drawstrings impacts both functionality and overall style.
