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If there were a prize for versatility in the world of fabric, felt would surely take first place. A top fabric for insulation projects , an excellent backing fabric (black felt material primarily) and an all-purpose craft fabric, felt cloth literally has a hundred and one uses, including it's use in game tables (such as that most popular green felt fabric, pool table felt), cloth lining for winter boots and hard hats, a filtering material for air conditioners, a base fabric for the bottoms of lamps and desk items, and the ink-absorbing tips used by the billions in felt-tip marking tools. And the next time you're at a picnic? Flip over the table cloth. Felt will be there, too, as a backing fabric that keeps the tablecloth fabric from slipping.
Though they may not have the cachet of decorator fabric, may not add elegance to other materials like a fine drapery lining, and may not convey the artistic details of a print fabric, felt fabrics are great for teaching children needle arts and simple sewing; felt craft fabric is second to none for scrapbooking and rubber stamping; and with only a hot glue gun, a circular needle and a handful of other scrap fabrics, felt fabric can transform a child into an artist, an artist into a felt designer, and a humble piece of our discount felt into a piece of pure gold; fabric that's not only fun, but that can set imaginations free.
The ease of working with felt fabric probably accounts for a lot of its popularity. It's easily cut (without fraying) using fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat, and while a hot glue gun will produce neater results, any good craft glue or fabric glue (or really, any good, thick tacky glue that won't disappear into the poly or wool fibers) will do the job.
Sewing felt fabric- whether that be wool felt fabric or a polyester felt fabric - is easily done by machine or done by hand with a circular needle. And furthering its utility as a craft fabric, felt materials can produce 3D, even 3D origami-like objects when sprayed with a fabric stiffener. For a fun, useful, inexpensive backing and craft fabric, felt material is without question, a top fabric choice.
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