question about felt....

[bubba]

I have purchased the most beautiful embossed felt. It looks like the embossed leather used to make purses years ago. With it, I am intending to make a lined sleeve for my iPad. I have worked up the pattern in my head. My question is this -

On the flap, I want to have a raw edge of the felt, but the lining will be folded under and top stitched. In my head, the felt, which won't be under any stressful use, should be fine.....I think I'm right, but I've never made anything using felt before. The raw edges should be fine, right?

Thanks for your help!

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Re: question about felt....

I would think raw edges on felt would be fine. It is a compressed, not woven fabric, and I've never hemmed or bound anything I've made with felt. My poodle skirt still looks fine from the 50s when I wore it last!

[bubba]

Re: question about felt....

Thank you! It's not like it's going to be put thru the wash or anything. I just don't remember ever making anything from felt, and this embossed stuff is beautiful! I will post pictures in the next couple days when it's sewn.....if it turns out presentable that is!

[toggpine]

Re: question about felt....

The only thing I would worry about is pilling along the edge from handling or wear in a larger tote bag or something like that.

Wool cloth that has been felted might be another issue since that fabric is woven before it was felted. In that case you might get a thread that would pull loose with wear, so a blanket stitch edging would be wise. It doesn't sound like that is what you are dealing with though.
I can't wait to see the finished project!

[bubba]

Re: question about felt....

When you see it, you might hightail it to Artco!! They have this embossed felt in three or four different colors and I got the denim, which looks more gray to me than blue. I had never seen embossed felt before and when I saw this, I fell in love! At the time, a man was getting some cut who had been sent in by his wife, or I never would have noticed it on the shelf.

[toggpine]

Re: question about felt....

Great! Like I need another reason to go into Artco!

[bubba]

Re: question about felt....

Well, as you face the back of the fabric section, it is on the far left wall by the notions.....not that I'm an enabler or anything! Have not worked on it yet because I was working on my D9P....I have three more nice patches to sew together, then I will have eight to cut apart and sew back together and trim down before I can start sewing them all together!!! The end is near!