How to Cut Felt

Are you looking to create a craft project using felt but don’t know how to cut felt? Look no further! Cutting felt can be done in a few simple steps, and with the proper techniques, you can achieve clean and precise cuts every time.

Felt is a versatile and popular material used in various craft projects. Whether you are making soft toys, dolls, or gifts, cutting felt accurately is essential to achieve the desired result. With its slightly fuzzy texture, felt can be challenging to cut neatly. Additionally, its thickness can cause the fabric to bunch up or slip while cutting, making it difficult to get straight lines. However, with the proper techniques and tools, you can easily cut felt like a pro.

So, let’s get started on learning how to safely cut felt.

What are the Benefits of Cutting Felt?

• Allows you to create intricate and detailed designs
• Gives a clean and professional finish to your projects
• Suitable for both beginners and experienced crafters
• It can be used in various crafts such as applique, quilting, scrapbooking, and more

These are just a few benefits of cutting felt. With its versatility and ease of use, felt is a great choice for all your crafting needs.

What Will You Need?

Before we dive into the steps, here is a list of items that you will need:

• Felt fabric
• Fabric scissors (sharp and pointed)
• Ruler or straight-edge
• Fabric pen or chalk
• Pins (optional)

Now that you have everything you need, let’s move on to the steps.

10 Easy Steps on How to Cut Felt

Step 1. Prepare Your Work Surface:

Begin by clearing a large, flat area to work on. You need enough space to lay out the felt entirely flat without any creases or folds. Consider using a cutting mat to protect your table or floor if you’re cutting large pieces. Try to work on a non-slip surface to prevent the fabric from shifting while cutting.

Step 2. Choose Your Felt:

Select the appropriate type of felt for your craft project. Felt comes in a myriad of colors, thicknesses, and qualities. Thicker felts are ideal for sturdier projects such as bags, coasters or cushions, providing shape and durability.

Conversely, thinner felts are perfect for delicate work like embellishments, applique or soft toy details, as they are easier to cut into fine shapes and add subtle texture without bulk. Quality also matters; wool felt tends to be denser and is excellent for projects requiring a more refined finish, while synthetic felts are budget-friendly and come in a broad color spectrum.

Step 3. Transfer Your Design:

Use a fabric pen or chalk to transfer your design onto the felt. If you’re working from a pattern, cut it out and trace around it onto the felt. Consider folding the felt in half for symmetrical designs to ensure both sides are even. When drawing your design, remember to factor in any seam allowance if your project requires sewing. Keep your lines as clear and precise as possible to ensure an accurate cut.

Step 4. Cut Your Felt:

With your design neatly transferred, it’s time to cut the felt. For the best results, use fabric scissors that are sharp and pointed. Begin cutting from the edge of the felt and follow the lines of your design carefully.

If you’re cutting shapes inside the felt, consider folding the felt slightly or making a small snip to start off. Cut smoothly to avoid jagged edges or uneven lines. If you’re working with thinner felt, you can stack multiple layers and cut them together to save time, but ensure they are pinned together securely to prevent shifting.

Step 5. Refine Your Edges:

After cutting out your design, carefully inspect the edges. Small notches or jagged areas can be cleaned up by gently trimming them with your scissors. Use the tips of your scissors for greater precision for interior cuts or sharp corners. If needed, lightly use an emery board or a piece of fine sandpaper to smooth out any roughness. This step ensures your felt pieces have a professional and polished appearance.

Step 6. Check for Accuracy:

Once you’ve finished cutting and refining the edges of your feet, take a moment to double-check your work against the original design or pattern. Ensure that all pieces match the intended sizes and shapes, and make any minor adjustments as necessary.

Accuracy is critical in crafting, as it impacts how well your pieces will fit together during assembly. If you notice any significant discrepancies, it may be worth recutting a new piece for the best overall result. Patience and attention to detail will lead to a more polished final product.

Step 7. Practice Makes Perfect:

Before attempting to cut complex shapes or detailed patterns, practice on scrap pieces of felt. This will help you get used to the feel of the fabric and how it reacts to being cut.

Experiment with scissor grips and cutting angles to find what works best. Practicing will also reduce the likelihood of making mistakes on your actual project, saving you time and materials in the long run. Keep practicing until you feel confident in your cutting abilities, making the process much more enjoyable and efficient when working on your final design.

Step 8. Store Your Felt Properly:

Proper storage is crucial to maintain the quality of your felt and ensure it’s ready for your next project. Lay flat sheets of felt in a drawer or on a shelf, avoiding folding, which can cause permanent creases.

For larger pieces, consider rolling them around a cardboard tube to keep them wrinkle-free. Keep your felt in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and deterioration. With proper care, your felt will be perfect for inspiration to strike again.

Step 9. Seam and Stitch Preparation:

Once your felt pieces are cut, it’s time to prepare them for any seaming or stitching. If your project involves sewing, pin the pieces together according to your pattern, ensuring the edges align perfectly.

Consider using a tailor’s chalk to mark any sewing lines, as this will provide a more accurate guide for where to stitch. Remember to choose the appropriate thread that matches your felt color or complements the overall design. Should your project require it, pre-sew any embellishments onto individual felt pieces before finally joining them together. This preparation step is critical for ensuring that the assembly process goes smoothly and enhances the durability of your final creation.

Step 10. Assemble the Felt Pieces:

Now that all your felt pieces are cut, refined, and prepped, carefully begin the assembly process. Depending on your project, this may involve sewing the pieces together by hand or machine, using fabric glue, or combining both. Whichever method you choose, work slowly to ensure that seams are straight and edges meet neatly.

In the case of a sewing approach, remove the pins as you sew to avoid any unnecessary needle damage. For projects requiring a plush or 3D effect, remember to leave an opening for stuffing and then sew it shut after filling. Always double-check that all pieces are securely attached so your finished work looks polished and holds up well with use. Enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your design come to life as a tangible creation.

By following these steps and experimenting with different designs, you’ll be able to create an endless array of felt projects.

6 Additional Tips and Tricks

1. Use Sharp Scissors: Ensure your scissors are very sharp and preferably fabric-specific. Dull blades can chew up the felt and leave uneven edges.
2. Freezer Paper Method: Iron freezer paper onto your felt. This temporarily stiffens the felt and gives you a precise cutting line to follow. After cutting, the freezer paper can be easily peeled off.
3. Double-Sided Adhesive: For intricate designs, use a double-sided adhesive to attach the felt to a backing before cutting. This stabilizes the felt and prevents it from shifting.
4. Rotary Cutter for Straight Lines: Utilize a rotary cutter and a cutting mat to achieve perfectly straight lines. Great for larger projects or cutting multiple layers of felt at once.
5. Fabric Die Cutting Machines: For those who cut felt regularly, investing in a fabric die-cutting machine can save time and guarantee precise cuts, especially for complex shapes and patterns.
6. Pinking Shears for Decorative Edges: Pinking shears create a zigzag edge, giving your felt pieces a decorative look. This is especially useful for projects such as banners or appliques.

With these additional tips and tricks, cutting felt can become a more efficient and enjoyable process. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you and your specific project needs.

6 Things You Should Avoid

1. Don’t Rush the Cutting: Take your time when cutting felt. Rushing can lead to jagged edges and imprecise shapes, which can ruin the overall look of your project.
2. Avoid Using Blunt Blades: Never use blunt or dull blades, as they can result in uneven cuts and can also cause the felt to bunch or snag, damaging the material.
3. Steer Clear of Stretching the Felt: Ensure you don’t stretch the felt out of shape when cutting complex designs. Keep it flat on your work surface to maintain its original dimensions throughout the cutting process.
4. Don’t Skip Secure Attachment: Properly securing the felt to the work surface or backing material might lead to shifting and sliding, which can mess up your cuts. Always ensure it’s held down snugly.
5. Resist Cutting Without a Guide: Avoid freehand cutting without a guide to maintain precision. Use stencils, patterns, or tracing outlines to ensure accuracy, especially for intricate shapes.
6. Avoid Moisture When Ironing: If using an iron to smooth out the felt before cutting, make sure it’s dry. Introducing moisture can warp the felt, affecting the material’s quality and the cuts.

You can achieve clean and precise cuts for your felt projects by avoiding these common mistakes. Remember to take your time and use proper tools and techniques for the best results.

6 Different Ways to Use Cut Felt

1. Sewing: One of the most common uses for cut felt is in sewing projects, such as appliques, stuffed animals, and decorative accents on clothing or home decor.
2. Crafting: Felt is a versatile material that can be used in various crafting projects, from making toys and puppets to creating wall hangings and ornaments.
3. Scrapbooking: Cut felt can add texture and dimension to scrapbook layouts, whether as a background, border, or embellishment.
4. Jewelry Making: Felt can be a unique addition to jewelry making, used as beads, pendants, or even in creating statement pieces like earrings and brooches.
5. Floral Arrangements: Felt flowers and leaves can be made by cutting out petal and leaf shapes, allowing for a wide range of creative possibilities in floral arrangements or bouquets.
6. Home Decor: Cut felt can be used to add a cozy and personalized touch to home decor, such as throw pillows, wall hangings, and table runners.

There are countless ways to incorporate cut felt into your projects, so don’t be afraid to experiment and think outside of the box.

Do You Need Special Scissors to Cut Felt?

While sharp and fabric-specific scissors are recommended for cutting felt, you don’t necessarily need special scissors to finish the job. Regular sewing or crafting scissors can work well as long as they are sharp and in good condition. However, investing in a pair of scissors specifically designed for cutting fabric can make the process easier and more efficient.

These types of scissors usually have a longer and thinner blade, allowing for more control and precision when cutting through thick materials like felt. Ultimately, the type of scissors you use depends on personal preference and the complexity of your project. 

Overall, it’s essential to keep your scissors sharp and in good condition to achieve clean cuts without damaging the felt fabric.  So whether you choose to invest in special scissors or use what you already have, the key is to take your time and use proper techniques for a successful cutting experience.  So go ahead and start creating with cut felt today! 

How Can You Cut Educational Shapes Out of Felt?

Cutting educational shapes out of felt is a fun and creative way to introduce young children to different shapes, colors, and textures. Here are some tips on how you can do it effectively:

1. Use Stencils or Templates: There are plenty of free printable templates available online for various shapes, such as stars, circles, squares, and more. These can serve as a guide for cutting out your felt shapes.
2. Trace and Cut by Hand: If you don’t have access to stencils, you can easily trace and cut different shapes onto the felt fabric using a marker or chalk.
3. Invest in a Die-cutting Machine: As mentioned earlier, fabric die-cutting machines are helpful for precise and efficient cuts, making them a great tool for creating educational shapes out of felt.
4. Incorporate Different Colors: Using different colored felt can make learning about shapes more interactive and engaging for children. You can mix and match various colors to create unique combinations for each shape.
5. Add Details With Embroidery or Fabric Markers: Once you have the basic shape cut out, you can add details such as faces, numbers, or letters using embroidery thread or fabric markers.

With these tips in mind, you can easily create a set of educational felt shapes that children can use for learning and play. So have fun and get creative with your cutting!  Overall, there are endless possibilities when it comes to cutting felt.

What Type of Felt is Best for Cutting?

When it comes to choosing the right type of felt for cutting, there are a few factors to consider:

1. Thickness: Thicker felts, such as wool or acrylic, are more durable and will hold their shape better when cut. However, they may require sharper scissors or a die-cutting machine.
2. Blend: Wool-blend felts tend to have a smoother and tighter weave, making them easier to cut and less prone to fraying. They also come in a variety of colors.
3. Quality: Higher quality felts, such as 100% wool felt, will have a more consistent thickness and density, resulting in cleaner cuts.
4. Budget: Felt comes in various prices, so consider your budget when choosing the type and quality of felt for your project.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to choose a felt that is suitable for the specific project you have in mind. Experiment with different types and qualities to see which works best for you.

Conclusion

In summary, cutting felt effectively requires understanding the material’s unique characteristics and choosing the right tools for the job. Whether you’re working on simple crafting projects or intricate appliques, the combination of proper technique, sharp tools, and the appropriate type of felt will yield the best results. Remember to choose a felt of suitable thickness and quality for your project and maintain your cutting tools to ensure clean, precise cuts.

Hopefully, this guide on how to cut felt has given you some inspiration and guidance for incorporating cut felt into your creative endeavors. So go ahead and start cutting, crafting, and expressing yourself with this versatile material! 

With practice and patience, anyone can master the art of cutting felt, opening up a world of creative possibilities. Happy crafting!  Keep exploring and have fun with felt.