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In this post, I’ve gathered some of the best felt craft ideas to show you just how versatile this material can be and to inspire you to incorporate it into your own craft projects.

Felt is one of my all-time favorite craft materials. It’s soft, affordable, and comes in a wide array of beautiful colors. Not only is it pleasant to work with, but it’s also perfect for beginners. Felt is easy to cut, sew, and shape, making it an ideal fabric for all kinds of creative projects.

While many people associate felt with kids’ crafts, thanks to its accessibility and ease of use, it’s much more than that. Felt is incredibly versatile and can be used for everything from home decor and accessories to holiday decorations and everyday items.

Personally, I’ve used felt to create earrings, necklaces, purses, ornaments, flowers, coasters, wall art, bookmarks, and more. The possibilities are endless, and I’m always excited to try new felt DIYs. It’s a great material because it doesn’t unravel like other fabrics—just cut your shapes, and you’re good to go.

I’ve compiled these felt craft ideas to motivate and inspire you to give felt crafting a try. With so many free templates and tutorials available, you’ll have no trouble crafting whatever your heart desires.

Let’s dive in!

Felt crafts for your home

Felt projects for your home go far beyond simple decorations. This versatile material can be used to create functional and stylish items that not only help organize your space but also add a cozy, personalized touch to your home. From practical solutions to decorative accents, felt can enhance your everyday life and elevate the look of any room.

You can craft felt objects to keep things tidy and organized, like storage baskets, drawer dividers, or even felt-covered boxes. Felt can also be used to make charming holiday decorations, adding a festive flair to your home. Whether it’s a cozy felt pillow, a unique wall hanging, or a creative set of coasters, felt is perfect for making your home both attractive and functional.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating felt into your home decor and daily life. So, let your creativity flow and transform your living space with these easy and beautiful felt projects!

FELT DECOR

I enjoy making felt decorations because they’re affordable and versatile—perfect for use all year round. And if you’re not ready to display them, you can easily box them up and bring them out again next year, making them a long-lasting addition to your decor.

With felt, you can craft a variety of items:

felt wreath by Life on Virginia Street,
felt garland by Alice and Lois,
felt mobile by Craftiness is not Optional,
felt wall art by Us,

felt table centerpiece by Gina Michele,
felt flower bouquet by Something Turquoise,
felt pillow by Domestic Charm,
felt vertical garden by Lia Griffith,

felt ornament by Fun Thrifty Mom,
felt letter board by The Inspired Hive,
felt potted plant by Crafty Lumberjacks,
felt tree decor by Little House of Four,

felt bookend on Anthropologie,
felt topiary by Home Perspective CCMcafee,
felt wall hanging by Lia Griffith,
felt Christmas tree by Imagine our Lives,

felt rocks on Instructables,
felt banner by Happiness is Homemade,
felt lampshade by Apartment Therapy,
felt vase on Instructables.

ORGANIZE YOUR HOME WITH FELT OBJECTS

Everyone loves a tidy, organized home, so why not take matters into your own hands and create your own organizational items? Felt is a great material for crafting functional and stylish organizers that will help you keep your space neat and clutter-free.

Here are some ideas for things you can make with felt:

felt drawer organizer on Instructables,
felt purse organizer by Sew Can She,
felt bedside pocket on Etsy,
felt mail organizer by The Blush Chronicles,

felt framed wall organizer by Love Create Celebrate,
felt pinboard by Homes to Love,
felt pan liners by This Mama Loves,
felt magazine rack by Homedit,

felt travel organizer on Etsy,
felt car organizer on Geekyget,
felt earring organizer by Melly Sews,
felt cable organizer by Inspired by Charm,

felt pocket wall organizer by Albion Gould,
felt roll-up organizer by Curbly.
felt box by Lily Ardor
felt desktop organizer on Etsy.

FELT EVERYDAY OBJECTS (HOMEWARE)

If you’ve fallen in love with felt like I have, or you’re simply looking to create affordable and fabulous home items that you’ll be proud to show off, these felt homeware projects are perfect for you. They’re quick and easy to make, and you can easily personalize them to match your unique home decor style.

Take a look at these creative felt craft ideas:

felt bowl by Herbst Handmade,
felt table runner by Life Sew Savory,
felt rug on Etsy,
felt coaster by Pretty Prudent,

felt cushion on Etsy,
felt napkin ring by Make and Tell,
felt tissue holder by The Crafty Mummy,
felt cutlery holder by Woman’s Day

felt toilet paper holder on Flickr,
felt laundry basket by The Lovely Drawer,
felt clock on Instructables,
felt placemats on Shabby Creek Cottage,

Felt accessories:

I’ll admit, I always “need” (or more like want) new jewelry, even though my collection is already overflowing. The truth is, I don’t wear all of it. The best part about handmade accessories is that you can customize them to perfectly fit your wardrobe. Plus, there’s a special sense of pride that comes with wearing jewelry you’ve crafted yourself, like those stunning earrings you made with your own hands.

FELT JEWELRY

felt earring made by me,
felt necklace by Lia Griffith,
felt bracelet on Etsy,
felt ring on Etsy,

felt brooch by Lia Griffith,
felt cuff on Etsy.

Felt accessories

felt barette on Etsy,
felt headband by Lia Griffith,
felt crown by Heidi and Finn,
felt hair pin by Cutesy Crafts,

felt wallet on Etsy,
felt handbag on Etsy,
felt clutch by Francois et Moi,
felt pouch on Etsy,

felt tote bag by The Spruce Crafts,
felt waist bag on Etsy,
felt boutonniere by Green Wedding Shoes,
felt belt on Etsy.

Other felt crafts

Hold on, there’s more! Some of these felt craft projects are perfect for both adults and kids (like bookmarks and keychains), but I didn’t want to repeat them here. So, keep an eye out for even more creative ideas that you can enjoy crafting!

FELT CRAFTS FOR ADULTS

felt bookmark by Us (Colorful Craft Corner),
felt coffee cozie by Practically Functional,
felt gift tag by Polka Dot Chair,
felt pen holder by I Should Be Mopping The Floor,

felt book cover on Instructables,
felt keychain by A Khailo Chic Life,
felt phone charging station on Etsy,
felt earbud case on 30 Minute Crafts,

felt pincushion by Bugs and Fishes,
felt gift box on Curbly,
felt needle holder by Mmm Crafts,
felt envelope by Crafty for Home,

felt slippers by Lia Griffith,
felt pet teepee/cave on Etsy,
felt glass case by A Khailo Chic Life,
felt hand warmers by All Free Sewing.

felt phone case by Poppytalk,
felt laptop holder by She’s Got The Notion,
felt car air freshener by Momma Told Me,
felt document holder on Etsy,

FELT CRAFTS FOR KIDS

felt toy by Fairy Fox on Etsy,
felt game by Powerful Mothering,
felt puppet by Larissa Another Day,
felt plushie by Lia Griffith,

felt sleep mask by Ginger Urchin,
felt quiet book on Etsy,
felt animal mask by Flax and Twine,
felt board by Andianne,

felt pencil holder by Small Friendly,
felt baby shoes by Purl Soho,
felt costume by Our Life Is Beautiful,
felt play food by Shrimp Salad Circus,

felt puzzle on Instructables,
felt pencil topper by The Inspiration Edit,
felt advent calendar by Studio DIY,
felt piggy banks by Dream a Little Bigger,

felt flags by Oh Happy Day,
felt pinwheel by Growing Up Gabel,
felt paper clips by Projects With Kids,
felt busy bag by A Crafty Living.

As you can see, felt is one of the most versatile crafting materials out there. It’s an ideal choice for beginners, kids, and even advanced crafters, offering endless possibilities to create something beautiful and unique. Whether you’re making simple decorations or intricate accessories, felt makes crafting fun and accessible for everyone.

How to Choose the Best Felt for Your Craft?

There are four main types of felt to choose from:

Craft Felt (Synthetic)
Wool-Blend Felt (Wool and Synthetic Fibers)
100% Wool Felt (Merino or Other Wool)
Eco-Felt (Made from Recycled Materials)

For decorative items such as ornaments or home decor, craft felt is ideal. It’s affordable and works well for projects that won’t be handled often. However, keep in mind that synthetic felt can pill and distort over time with frequent use.

For wearable crafts—such as accessories, bags, or clothing—wool-blend felt or 100% wool felt are better options. These materials are more durable and provide a higher quality finish.

How to Clean and Maintain Your Felt Crafts?

Felt is a delicate fabric, but it can be cleaned with proper care:

Handwashing: Use cold water and avoid rubbing the fabric. Instead, gently press it to remove dirt.
Machine Washing: If you prefer machine washing, always use a short, gentle cycle with cold water. Never use hot water, as it can shrink and distort the felt.
Dusting: To remove dust, gently brush your felt craft with a soft brush or vacuum it with a low-suction setting.
Storage: Keep felt items in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent damage.

Essential Tools for Felt Crafts

To start crafting with felt, you’ll need these basic tools:

Felt (choose between soft or stiff; you can also stiffen felt at home)
Needles (hand-sewing needles work best)
Thread (I prefer using pearl thread or embroidery floss for detail work)
If sewing isn’t your thing, fabric glue or a glue gun can be used as an alternative.

How to Personalize Your Felt Crafts

Personalize your felt creations by adding:

Embroidery
Beads
Appliqués
Buttons
Paint or Fabric Markers

For a deeper dive into crafting with felt, check out my Ultimate Guide on how to work with felt. It includes everything you need to know to create long-lasting and successful projects.

CONCLUSION

Felt is an incredibly versatile and affordable material that opens up endless possibilities for creative crafting. Whether you’re making decorations, accessories, or practical items for your home, felt allows you to personalize and customize your projects with ease. With the right tools and a bit of imagination, you can create beautiful, functional crafts that you’ll be proud to display or use.

So, why not give felt crafting a try? From simple DIYs to more intricate designs, there’s no limit to what you can create. Don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Guide for even more tips and tricks on working with felt.

I’d love to hear what felt projects you’re excited to try—leave a comment below and let me know! Happy crafting!

Patent leather is a type of leather that has been treated with a glossy, shiny finish. It is known for its sleek and smooth look, making it a popular material for shoes, handbags, belts, and other fashion accessories. Patent leather is also used in the automotive industry for car seats and interiors.

So what is patent leather? What are the benefits? Keep reading for the answer to these questions and more.

What Is Patent Leather?

Patent leather is a type of leather that has been coated with a high-gloss finish to give it a polished appearance. The coating is usually made from polyurethane (PU) or a thermoplastic polymer called polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This glossy layer gives the leather a waterproof and scratch-resistant quality, making it more durable than traditional leather.

The term “patent” in patent leather refers to the process of obtaining a government-issued patent for the technology used to make it. The patent was first issued in 1818 to Seth Boyden, an American inventor who developed a process for producing patent leather.

How Is Patent Leather Made?

Patent leather is made by applying a liquid coating to the surface of leather. The leather is first cleaned and prepared, and then a layer of primer is applied to help the coating adhere to the surface. After the primer is dry, the patent coating is applied using a spraying or rolling technique. The coating is then cured at a high temperature to create a hard, glossy finish.

Different types of PU or PVC coatings can be used to achieve different levels of shine and durability. Some patent leathers have a mirror-like finish, while others have a softer, less reflective sheen.

Characteristics of Patent Leather

Patent leather has several unique characteristics that distinguish it from other types of leather. These include:

High gloss finish
Waterproof and scratch-resistant
Durable and long-lasting
Easy to clean and maintain
Stiff texture

The stiff texture of patent leather is due to the coating, which can make the leather less flexible than other types of leather. This can be both a positive and negative characteristic, depending on how the leather will be used.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Patent Leather

Advantages of Patent Leather

Shiny Appearance: The most notable characteristic of patent leather is its high-gloss, reflective finish. This shiny surface adds a touch of sophistication and glamour to any outfit or accessory.

Durability: Patent leather is treated with a special coating that enhances its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It tends to be more resistant to scuffs and scratches compared to traditional leather.

Easy to Clean: The smooth, non-porous surface of patent leather makes it relatively easy to clean. Most stains and spills can be wiped off with a damp cloth, making it a practical choice for accessories and shoes.

Fashionable: Patent leather’s sleek and polished appearance often gives a contemporary and stylish vibe to clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Disadvantages of Patent Leather

Stiffness: Patent leather can initially be stiffer and less pliable than regular leather. It might require some breaking in to achieve optimal comfort.

Susceptible to Cracking: Over time, patent leather can develop small cracks in its finish, especially if exposed to extreme temperatures or if the leather is bent or creased frequently.
Limited Breathability: The glossy coating on patent leather reduces its breathability compared to regular leather. This can lead to discomfort, especially if worn for extended periods.

Less Natural Appearance: The high-shine finish of patent leather can appear less natural and more artificial than traditional leather. This might not be to everyone’s taste.

Maintenance: While patent leather is easy to clean, it may require extra care to prevent cracking and maintain its shine. Using specific patent leather cleaners and conditioners is recommended.

Uses of Patent Leather

Patent leather has a range of uses in fashion and manufacturing industries. Some common applications of patent leather include:

Shoes: Patent leather shoes are a popular choice for dress shoes and formalwear. The high-gloss finish adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any outfit.
Handbags and Accessories: Patent leather is often used in handbags, belts, wallets, and other fashion accessories. The shiny finish gives these items a luxurious look and feel.
Automotive Interiors: Patent leather is sometimes used in the automotive industry for car seats and interiors. Its waterproof and durable qualities make it ideal for use in cars.

Comparing Patent Leather vs. Leather

Appearance

Patent Leather: Known for its glossy and reflective finish, patent leather stands out due to its high-shine appearance. It has a sleek and modern look that can add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.

Leather: Traditional leather has a natural and textured appearance. It often carries a more classic and timeless vibe, with variations in grain patterns and textures.

Durability

Patent Leather: Treated with a special coating, patent leather is more resistant to scuffs, scratches, and moisture. It retains its shiny finish and tends to maintain its original appearance for a longer time.

Leather: Depending on the type and quality, leather can also be quite durable. However, it may require more maintenance and conditioning to prevent drying, cracking, and wear over time.

Comfort

Patent Leather: Initially, patent leather can be stiffer and less flexible, requiring some breaking in to achieve comfort.

Leather: Leather tends to be softer and more supple from the start, conforming to the shape of the body and providing a more comfortable fit.

Breathability

Patent Leather: The glossy coating on patent leather reduces its breathability, making it less suitable for prolonged wear, especially in warm or humid conditions.

Leather: Leather is more breathable, allowing air to pass through its natural fibers. This makes it a better choice for items that will be worn for extended periods.

Maintenance

Patent Leather: While easy to clean with a damp cloth, patent leather requires specific care to maintain its shine and prevent cracking. Regular cleaning and the use of patent leather cleaners are recommended.

Leather: Leather requires regular conditioning to keep it moisturized and prevent it from drying out and cracking. There are various leather conditioners available to maintain its quality.

Versatility

Patent Leather: Often used for formal and dressy occasions, patent leather adds a touch of elegance. It may not be as versatile for casual settings.

Leather: Leather comes in various finishes, from casual to dressy, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions and styles.

Natural vs. Synthetic

Patent Leather: Typically made from leather that’s coated with a glossy finish, patent leather is a modified version of natural leather.

Leather: Traditional leather is a natural material made from animal hides. It’s valued for its authenticity and connection to nature.

FAQs

Is patent leather real leather? Yes, patent leather is real leather that has been coated with a glossy finish.
How do you care for patent leather? To clean patent leather, wipe it with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as they can damage the coating.
Can you wear patent leather in the rain? Yes, patent leather is waterproof and can withstand rainy weather.
Does patent leather crack over time? With proper care, patent leather should not crack over time. However, if the leather becomes excessively dry, it may begin to crack.
What is the difference between patent leather and regular leather? Regular leather is untreated and does not have a glossy finish. Patent leather is coated with a high-gloss finish, making it more durable and waterproof than traditional leather.

Conclusion

Patent leather is a unique and durable type of leather that has been coated with a glossy, high-shine finish. It is commonly used in fashion accessories and the automotive industry for its sleek appearance and waterproof qualities. With proper care, patent leather can last for many years and add a touch of elegance to any outfit or product.

THE BEST FELT CRAFT IDEAS FOR YOU TO TRY