Wool Felting

Sheep have always been part of the Palestinian landscape, with their wool used in traditional crafts such as rugs and tents woven by Bedouin, and for pillow and mattress stuffings.  While the use of natural wool has been replaced in recent decades with inexpensive synthetic alternatives, Sunbula's partners have found ways to utilize this locally-available natural material in their craft-making.  Ma'an Lil-Hayat's felt products are made by rubbing the wool in warm soapy water, while Tahhadi uses the needle-felting techniques for making animal figures.  Both methods break up the fiber of wool so that they would entrangle and form the dense texture that is felt.