Experiments | Felting¶
Expected Output: A comparative set of felt samples produced with different tools, alongside process notes and practical tips to support replication and informed tool selection.
Tech definitions
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High-tech: machines that automate most movements, allowing dense felting with minimal manual effort. Focus is on mechanization and efficiency.
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Medium-tech: tools that assist or amplify manual actions. They reduce effort and standardize some movements but still require hands-on interaction.
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Low-tech: simple, accessible and primarily manual, relying on human effort and sustainable, easy-to-access materials.
| Level | Tools |
|---|---|
| High | FeltLoom, robotic arm, laser cutting + rolling machine |
| Medium | Felting gun, rolling machine, sanding machine |
| Low | Kitchen tools, bamboo mats, wooden support |
Tests conducted¶
FeltLoom (needle felting)¶
The FeltLOOM is a needle-felting textile machine that compacts wool fibers through a dry mechanical process. Material is placed on the feed side and drawn forward by rollers toward rows of barbed needles.
As the wool passes through, the needles repeatedly puncture and interlock the fibers, causing them to migrate and entangle. The number of passes and fiber layers determines how dense the textile becomes.
Learn how to use it¶
With FR Woolshed and Le Textile lab, I joined a workshop on 01/15 at Villa Chateaufavier and tested the machine.
Machine details
Machine buttons
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Dual motors: one for roller feed, one for needle movement, allowing independent control of feed speed and needle frequency.
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Forward and reverse controls, to run the fiber back and forth for increased density.
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Emergency stop button to immediately stop the machine.
Practical tips
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Always keep fingers away from the felting area.
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Keep fibers clean to minimize broken needles; unwashed wool is forbidden in Lainamac school and generally not recommended.
Samples
Key observations
I created a felting piece by combining two layers of different wools (Thônes et Marthod, Noir de Velay and mélange fibers) and running them through the felting machine four times.
The process proved immediate and easy to control, with the machine producing visible and consistent results after only a few passes.
The speed of the dry felting action allows for rapid iteration, making it possible to test multiple panels, fiber combinations, and densities within a short time frame.
Felting gun (needle felting)¶
The Felting Gun is a handheld needle-felting tool that entangles wool fibers using rapid up-and-down movements of barbed needles. Wool is placed on a mat, and the needles repeatedly penetrate the fibers, interlocking them to create a dense felted structure.
The gun speeds up the process compared to manual needle felting, making it suitable for building base layers or covering larger areas. Fine details can still be refined with hand needles.
Learn how to use¶
During the first week of experimentation, I tested the felting gun available in the lab.
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A first test was conducted with carded wool placed on a felting mat and felted as a layered square. The tool was used on the first side and then the process repeated on the other side.
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As a second test, I added unwashed wool on top of the carded layer but the wool was not easy to interlock.
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As a final test, I tried to shape the carded wool into a small simple 3D form (I am not an expert here) to test the tool in multiple directions.
Key observations
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The felting gun performs best on carded wool.
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Unwashed wool did not interlock, likely due to its grease (lanolin), and may require additional preparation to entangle effectively.
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The gun is relatively slow and low-powered, making the process still dependent on hand shaping.
Tests planned¶
Sanding machine (wet felting)¶
Originally designed to smooth or roughen surfaces in woodworking or textile finishing, the sanding machine is repurposed here for wet felting, using movement and pressure to help wool fibers interlock and compact. Fabricademy alumna Javin Gohel explored this approach in her final project.
The test to study the effect on fiber bonding is planned by Feb 3.
Robotic arm (needle felting)¶
The TinkerKit Braccio is an Arduino-controlled robotic arm equipped with six servo motors, allowing a wide range of precise movements. It can rotate, lift, and manipulate objects, making it suitable for experimentation with automated tasks such as needle felting.
The tool was already tested during OS Hardware Week.
On Feb 13, it will be further explored with FR Woolshed and Le Textile Lab members to become more familiar with the arm and refine the coding for improved precision in felting tasks.
Rolling machine (wet felting)¶
The rolling machine is designed specifically for wet wool felting, using continuous rolling motion and pressure to help water-activated wool fibers interlock and compact into felt. By moving layers of wool back and forth under controlled pressure, the machine accelerates fiber migration and bonding more consistently than manual rolling.
Purchased by Le Textile Lab, the machine is expected to be delivered by the end of January. Once available, tests will focus on how different rolling speeds, pressures and layering techniques influence felt density.
Rolling machine + Laser cutting machine¶
The idea is to combine wet-felted wool from the rolling machine with laser cutting, exploring simple seamless patterns or modular shapes.
This activity will be planned in calendar only once the rolling machine will be available in the lab.
Considerations:
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Use dark colors for the wool, as the laser will create a slightly burned effect along the edges.
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The process may generate a strong wool smell, so plan for adequate ventilation..
Everyday objects¶
Simple and everyday objects (wooden boards, bamboo mats, kitchen tools) can be used to guide and shape the wool while rolling.
This approach allows hands-on experimentation, testing different pressures and patterns without specialized equipment for wet felting.
A session to explore the materials is planned for XX.
Reference¶
Images: Martina Muroni unless otherwise stated.