Where can I find wool felt so that I can make a weather resistant poncho?

Question

I want to make a no sew poncho, but not with fleece as I will be around open flames on occasion. So I thought wool felt would be a great option...but I have no idea where to find a good selection of wool felt fabric meant to be used as clothing or outerwear. I find lots of arts and crafts web sites but I want a thicker, higher quality felt. Anyone ever used wool felt for this purpose, and where can I get the fabric?

I have obviously tried all local fabric stores, and they have the thin kind, in tiny squares, for crafts. Or they have the loose batting to make felt, but I require already felted wool. I of course "Googled" this prior to using this forum, and tried all the websites listed in these answers. I do not see any felt offered which can be used as clothing. So, does anyone know if there is a certain name or kind of felted wool used for outerwear and coats, and where I can find that kind of felted wool for purchase?

Answer 1

The fabric you are looking for goes by the proper name of "Melton" cloth, or boiled wool. Sometimes it's also called fulled wool, or fulled Loden or just Loden. The different names are regional, in Germany it's Loden, in Canada and England it's Melton. When you say felt at most fabric stores immediately they show you those little squares for crafting. When you say Melton, then they should have abetter idea of what you want. Don't go to craft stores, go to better fabric stores.

Melton is quite thick, but easy to cut, sew, and work with. And if you don't sew it, you don't need to worry about the edges raveling, so no seam finishes are required. It needs to be pressed with plenty of steam, but it can be stretched, shaped and sculpted into almost any shape. It's one of my favourite fabrics and I make/sell many coats made from Melton every year. When I teach beginners to make coats from Melton, they are surprised at their success. It's naturally wind and water resistant, warm and rather than burst into flames, it will smolder and extinguish itself if any sparks from open fires land on it. Be sure it's 100% wool for fire resistance!

The McPhee website carries Melton. On the home page, on the fabrics, go down the list to wool coatings and when you click on the page, scroll to the bottom, there's where you'll find Melton. I can't link directly to the page, sorry!
http://www.macpheeworkshop.com/ You'll need to look at better fabric stores, rather than craft stores. Melton is considered a basic wool fabric in colder climates and often available in grey, navy, brown, camel, and black.

I hope that's the information you were looking for!

Answer 2

Just find a wool or high wool blend fabric you like and felt it yourself. Some local stores may have some wool blend in suiting's. Otherwise, just search the web, places like Hancocks often carry some. Once you find something you like, buy more than you think you'll actually need, due to shrinkage.

There are many good sites on felting, so I won't go into huge detail, but you basically subject the wool to extreme temperature and agitation (i.e. hot wash and hot dryer) until it is felted as much as you want, then remove and air dry. When dry, cut and trim as you'd like.

If it were me I'd probably choose a woven over a knit fabric, as the woven is less likely to fray at the edges when felted, in my experience.

Answer 3

Loden Wool Fabric

Answer 4

You may have to do it by mail. A google search yielded lots of results.

Answer 5

Hi:
Here are some sources for you to check out if you'd like to:

www.felt.com.cn

www.thefeltpeople.com

www.thefeltpeople.com

www.nationalnonwovens.com/

www.sefelt.com/

www.supremefelt.com

www.aetnafelt.com/

Maybe you will find what you are looking from from one of these.

Good luck!