Learning traditional textile techniques: Wet felting as a pedagogical approach in contemporary textile design

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable practices in the textile industry has highlighted the importance of integrating traditional craft knowledge into contemporary design education. Historical textile techniques offer valuable insights into material properties, low-impact production processes, and culturally embedded knowledge systems that can contribute to more responsible design approaches. Among these techniques, wet felting represents one of the oldest textile manufacturing processes based on the natural properties of wool fibers and their ability to interlock through moisture, heat, and mechanical action. This paper examines the pedagogical potential of wet felting within contemporary textile design education. The study focuses on an educational process that combines experiential learning with the transmission of traditional craft knowledge through collaboration with artisans. Students explore the material intelligence of wool through hands-on experimentation with wet felting techniques. The learning process further introduces nuno felting, a more recent textile technique developed approximately three decades ago, which integrates wool fibers with lightweight fabrics and enables contemporary design interpretations. The research adopts a practice-based pedagogical approach integrating theoretical reflection, material experimentation and design development. The results indicate that learning traditional techniques enhances students' understanding of material behaviour, fosters sustainable thinking and encourages innovative textile design exploration.