external use of felt?

[pamster]

Is someone able to advise me about felted items for outdoor use? I have seen some outdoor installations created by felt artists and read about the Mongolian felt gers but would like to know if you can just put something felt outside or does it need some special treatment first. How long would it last outside?
Thanks for any advice on this.

[MTRuth]

I made a 16' felt ger in the Mongolian style. We actually haven't had it outside for any length of time to test it yet. But the Mongolians didn't do anything to treat their wool. Once solidly felted, wool felt tends to resist water. It will get soaked eventually though.

What were you planning for outdoor use?

[wolgelukkig]

Last year in Holland we had an exhibition of felted pieces outside in a huge garden centre. The pieces were outside for about 2 months in storm and rain and a lot of sunshine and were in good condition afterwards. www.viltkontaktgroep.nl/kunstenaars-bgv
But I know that other people have made bird nests and after one or two years they were in terrible condition. I guess it also depends on the way they are felted and also the weather conditions because we always have lots of rain.

[MTRuth]

I was thinking about this some more and I had several bird pods out for several years. The colors faded but the felt was still just fine. So if you use a natural colored wool instead of dyed wool, I would imagine it will last for at least 5 years and maybe longer.

[pamster]

Mar 26, 2018 21:04:31 GMT MTRuth said:

I made a 16' felt ger in the Mongolian style. We actually haven't had it outside for any length of time to test it yet. But the Mongolians didn't do anything to treat their wool. Once solidly felted, wool felt tends to resist water. It will get soaked eventually though.

What were you planning for outdoor use?

Thanks Ruth, I hadn't seen anything about treating felt in my reading about the Mongolians. Making your ger must have been a huge project, my goal is much simpler: I have wanted to try making a wall hanging for a while now and my daughter sees a blank wall from her kitchen window so I was wondering if I could make an exterior wall hanging for her to relieve the blankness while she is waiting for greenery to grow.

[pamster]

Mar 26, 2018 21:24:43 GMT wolgelukkig said:

Last year in Holland we had an exhibition of felted pieces outside in a huge garden centre. The pieces were outside for about 2 months in storm and rain and a lot of sunshine and were in good condition afterwards. www.viltkontaktgroep.nl/kunstenaars-bgv
But I know that other people have made bird nests and after one or two years they were in terrible condition. I guess it also depends on the way they are felted and also the weather conditions because we always have lots of rain.

Thanks, they are spectacular pieces! We also get a lot of sun which can have a bleaching effect but the area I'm thinking of is somewhat sheltered so I think I'll go ahead and see what happens - just another learning experience

[MTRuth]

The ger was a huge project that actually isn't quite finished. Need to do one more large panel for over the door. Hopefully I will get that done this summer.

I think you should definitely just try it. We'd love to see your progress

[Shepherdess]

I had a felt bird feeder out for 2 years, it was fine. It was purple and orange and faded badly as it was out in the sun but other wise it was the same as when I put it out. It was Corriedale.

[pamster]

Mar 30, 2018 2:34:01 GMT Shepherdess said:

I had a felt bird feeder out for 2 years, it was fine. It was purple and orange and faded badly as it was out in the sun but other wise it was the same as when I put it out. It was Corriedale.

Thanks Ann, I have some xbreed wool that contains some Corriedale so using that instead of the merino I usually work with might be better. I think I will just have to do it and see what happens. Extra time in my day would be helpful