Wet felting

Wet felting

Wet felting is a traditional fiber art technique that transforms wool or other natural fibers into a dense, durable fabric by using moisture, heat, and agitation. The process involves layering raw wool, sprinkling it with warm, soapy water, and then repeatedly rolling, rubbing, or pressing the fibers together. As the wool’s tiny scales catch and bond, it forms a tightly interlocked material known as felt. This versatile craft is used to create everything from clothing and accessories to decorative items and art pieces, and it offers a tactile, hands-on way to explore the unique properties of wool.

practices

iain

Slovene

Intangible

310

Mokro polstenje

25/03/2025

10/04/2025

https://www.loski-muzej.si/tovarna-klobukov-sesir/ http://www.amuse.si/opis.html https://www.loski-muzej.si/f/docs/e-publikacije/katalog-KLOBUK---oneline-katalog.pdf

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current,46.1663222982793,14.307308507957;

University of St Andrews

TEXT

452

Katarina Šrimpf Vendramin

Wet felting requires a combination of technical skills, artistic creativity, and knowledge of materials to successfully transform raw wool fibers into durable felted fabric. More complex pieces, such as garments, require some engineering skills such as tailoring, knowledge of materials and shrinkage, and knowledge of shaping felt. While wet felting is accessible to beginners, refining these skills allows artisans to create intricate and high-quality felted pieces.

In Škofja Loka and Slovenia in general, the knowledge of wet felting is passed on in group and individual workshops led by experienced craftsmen.

Today, wet felting is primarily practiced by women who have learned the technique through various courses both locally and internationally. In the past, hatters relied on wet felting skills to create their products. However, modern hatmakers now purchase pre-made felt bases (such as cones), making traditional wet felting techniques largely obsolete in their craft.

Felting supports local artisan businesses and sustainable fashion. Many Slovenian craftspeople sell handmade felted products—such as clothing, accessories, and home décor—at local markets, online, and through eco-conscious brands. For individuals, wet felting serves as a creative outlet that allows self-expression through color, texture, and form. Many practitioners, especially women, participate in felting groups, workshops, and local craft associations, where they share knowledge, collaborate, and support one another.

Archaeological findings and historical records of wool processing in medieval Slovenia suggest that felting was part of the broader wool industry that thrived in the region during the Middle Ages. Historically, wet felting was a practical skill used primarily by hatmakers and makers of gloves and felt boots/stockings. Today the practice has shifted towards artisans, hobbyists, and artists, mostly women who have learned the craft through workshops, artistic circles, and modern courses. Wool is still used, but felters have access to imported fine wool (e.g., merino), silk fibers, and synthetic blends that allow for greater variety in texture and design. Wet felting in Slovenia has evolved from a functional necessity in rural and professional textile work to a creative, artisanal, and sustainable craft.

No specific organisation is linked to this practice.

The most closely linked to this activity is Škofja Loka, where in the past there was a hat factory where hats were made from start to finish.

Loss of biodiversity,Deterioration of material

Biodiversity loss could affect breeding practices, especially of the breeds less economically profitable for the wool (on the account of meat). Material deterioration poses a significant threat to wet felting because it directly affects the quality, durability, and longevity of both raw materials (wool and fibers) and finished felted products. Modern wool processing processes can affect the material's abilities, and access to local wool is difficult in Slovenia.

Industrial production,Use of modern materials

Machine-made felt and synthetic alternatives, such as polyester felt, have largely replaced traditional hand-felted wool products, diminishing the demand for handmade felting. The rise of fast fashion and mass production has further shifted consumer interest away from artisanal felted goods, which require more time and craftsmanship. Additionally, modern textiles like acrylic and polyester blends offer a cheaper, more uniform, and durable alternative, making them more commercially appealing than labor-intensive wet felting.

Diminishing youth interest

A decline in youth engagement poses a significant threat to the future of wet felting, as fewer young people are learning and continuing the craft. The economic viability of handmade felting is uncertain, making it less attractive as a professional pursuit. There is also risk of reducing interest in traditional, time-consuming crafts like wet felting.

Insufficient financial resources

Products made with the wet felting technique are of a higher price class due to the labour intensive production. There is a limited market for such products in Slovenia, and artisans have to look for financial resources in several activities (e.g. workshops and trainings, selling products in different shops).

Educational standardisation

Wet felting is rarely included in school curricula or mainstream creative programs, limiting opportunities for young people to discover and appreciate the craft.

New pastimes

The rise of new pastimes and digital entertainment has significantly impacted the way people engage with traditional crafts like wet felting. New pastimes have reduced direct engagement with traditional crafts but have also created new digital pathways for learning.

Loss of knowledge,Material shortage,Loss of cultural significance

Traditional wet felting skills once essential for hat-making have been largely replaced by industrial production, leading to a decline in expertise and knowledge transmission. Local Slovenian wool is becoming harder to obtain due to changes in sheep farming, reduced wool processing facilities, and market competition from imported fibers. Wet felting products, once essential for everyday life (e.g., hats, footwear, textiles), are now seen as decorative or artisanal rather than necessities, reducing their cultural relevance and demand.

Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia’s oldest and best-preserved medieval towns, is rich in historical, natural, social, cultural, and economic significance. Founded in the 10th century, Škofja Loka was a key administrative center under the rule of the Bishops of Freising, who governed the area for over 800 years. The town’s medieval layout remains largely intact, with landmarks like Škofja Loka Castle, historic townhouses, and remnants of defensive walls. Historically, Škofja Loka thrived on trade, crafts, and agriculture, with traditional industries such as ironworking, textile production, and woodworking playing an essential role. Today, the local economy is diverse, with tourism, small-scale manufacturing, and services being dominant sectors.

Wet felting is still done using minimal tools, such as wooden boards, different rollers, and manual handwork, with soap to help fibers bond. Today modern felters use bubble wrap, specialized felting needles, and synthetic felting mats, felting machines and various modern tools that are not specifically designed for this use but are adapted by the craftsman to his own needs (e.g. electric sanding machines) to speed up and refine the process.

Wet felting supports various aspects of social sustainability by promoting gender equality, inclusivity, education, community development, and well-being. Wet felting is traditionally practiced by women, offering economic independence through small businesses, craft cooperatives, and fair-trade initiatives. Wet felting requires minimal equipment and can be adapted for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, making it an inclusive craft. Teaching wet felting helps safeguard cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. Schools, community centers, and art programs incorporate felting into hands-on learning, enhancing artistic expression, fine motor skills, and patience.Felting workshops, group projects, and cooperative ventures bring people together, fostering collaboration, social cohesion, and peacebuilding. The repetitive motions of felting are meditative and stress-relieving, making it useful in art therapy and mental health programs. Engaging in handcrafted work promotes mindfulness and well-being, counteracting the fast-paced digital world.

Wet felting aligns with environmental sustainability through its use of natural materials, low-impact production methods, and waste reduction strategies. Sourced from sheep, wool is biodegradable, renewable, and requires less processing than synthetic fibers. Using Slovenian or regionally sourced wool reduces the carbon footprint associated with imported textiles. Unlike synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester), wool does not release microplastics into the environment. Wet felting uses natural soap and water, avoiding toxic dyes or chemicals found in industrial textile production. Wool scraps and leftover fibers can be repurposed into smaller projects, insulation, or composted, minimizing textile waste. Wet felting is done manually, requiring no electricity-intensive machinery, reducing energy consumption compared to factory-based textile production. Felted wool products naturally decompose over time, unlike synthetic fabrics that contribute to landfill waste. Many felted products are sold at local artisan markets, reducing the environmental impact of long-distance transportation. Unlike industrial textile factories, wet felting is often done in small workshops or homes, reducing large-scale manufacturing emissions.

Wet felting supports economic sustainability by providing market access, income diversification, fair trade opportunities, and alternative economic systems. Wet felting allows individuals, especially in rural areas, to create and sell unique, handmade products such as accessories, clothing, and home décor. Many artisans practice felting as a secondary source of income, supplementing traditional farming, textile work, or other crafts. Unlike mass-produced textiles, felted products are often sold through fair trade networks, ensuring fair compensation for artisans. Wet felting provides employment opportunities for women, older adults, and rural communities, promoting economic inclusion. Handcrafted felted goods are often produced and sold within local markets, craft fairs, and sustainable shops, reducing reliance on globalized mass production. Felted products promote the slow fashion movement, discouraging disposable, fast-fashion consumption and supporting ethical production. Learning wet felting allows individuals to create their own textiles, reducing dependence on industrial products.

Decent Work and Economic Growth,Industry Innovation and Infrastructure,Sustainable Cities and Communities,Responsible Consumption and Production,Life On Land

Škofja Loka, Gorenjska, Slovenia

fibre and textile crafts

stable