SEWING Making felt material inspires its creators

One process turns the material into a beautiful mesh of silk, wool and color.
By SUSAN KHALJE
SCRIPPS HOWARD
I'd like to share with you what a couple of my friends in the sewing world are up to.
I first met Linda Veilleux and Vi Hunt when they came to one of my Couture Sewing School seminars a number of years ago. Although we spent that week incorporating couture sewing techniques into the garments they were making (Veilleux made a wedding dress and Hunt made a medieval-inspired gown), we discussed their other interests. Veilleux was a keen knitter, and Hunt raised sheep and spun their wool.
We've stayed in touch over the years and they've kept me up to date on their latest venture, which involves creating felt.
How felt is created
Felt, of course, is a non-woven material that is created when wool fibers are compressed with the help of moist heat and friction. When the fibers are subjected to pressure and exposed to moisture, the scales that coat them open up. As the friction continues, the fibers hook together, shrink and form the firm material that we know as felt.
Veilleux and Hunt take the process further for their line of lightweight, Shibori-dyed silk and wool garments. A piece of lightweight Shibori-dyed silk is placed on a sheet of bubble wrap and the fleece fibers are placed on top of the silk. A sheet of fabric covers the entire piece. Warm water and soap are added and the agitating process begins. The wool fibers work their way through the silk gauze -- and the result is a lightweight and beautiful mesh of silk, wool, color and inspiration. They use the Shibori-dyed felted fabric for scarves, blouses and skirts.
Veilleux and Hunt also create more traditional felt in medium and heavy weights. The process begins with Hunt's sheep, which are sheared and their wool washed, combed and dyed. The colors are blended using carding combs, and the fleece is placed on a large work surface. It's then further decorated (on both sides) with yarn and scraps of lightweight material. Then the piece is wetted down with warm water and soap, rolled up and agitated, and the felting process begins.
Veilleux and Hunt use the medium and heavy weights of felt for vests, jackets, coats, purses and backpacks. Veilleux and Hunt sell felt yardage as well as garments, and they also teach others how to create these beautiful fabrics. You can reach them at Hunt-Lynn Designs, 284 Mutton Hill Road, Charlotte, Vt. 05445; or you can call Veilleux at (802) 425-2560.
Having written about this, I'm now anxious to use the piece of deep blue-green felt I got from Veilleux. I plan to make a vest, trim its edges with ultrasuede and fasten it with big, silver buttons. I'll let you know how it turns out!
XSusan Khalje is the author of "Bridal Couture -- Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear," from Krause Publications. For more information visit www.SusanKhalje.com or www.diynet.com.)