Using Felt for Clothes

I used felt for Halloween costumes for some of my dolls, years ago. It probably goes without saying, felt doesn't have nice drape or stretch/give, so it might be a challenge to create the form-fitting outfit you've linked. If you're experienced with needle felting, though, and if you're planning to use skin-tone for the upper torso area, I'm sure it can be done.

If your concern about using light-colored wool is whether it may transfer dye to the doll, unfortunately there is no simple universal answer. It depends on the wool, any dyes and dye release used, any other chemicals used to treat the wool, whether the doll is sealed, even the composition of the doll's resin.. all of which may not be 100% disclosed to customers.

 

Wool felt can be steam shaped, so no worries about getting the shapes. But it will be stiff.

Blends and synthetics are hit and miss. Some can be shaped, some can't.

I've used various types of felt for doll clothes from time to time. I never had an issue with it, really.
Just like any other textile, felt can blead if the dye is not properly set. It's more likely to happen with cheap craft felt then with good quality wool felt, but there is always a small risk, so doing some tests before comitting is a good idea.

And just as with any other textile, always consider if the properties of the materials are right for the project.
Felt doesn't fray easily, especcially wool felt is very good at keeping cut edges nice and crisp. This makes it easy to use for cut work, intarsia and applique and also means that edges don't typically need to be hemmed.
While the thickness varies, even the thinnest felt will have some body to it, so it's great for padding and smoothing out lines, but not so great if you want to keep bulk down.

 

I'd go with 100% wool felt because most of the synthetic mixes tend to pill and look awful very quickly. Plus it can be shaped and steamed a lot better than the synthetic mixes.

Teddy

 

I don't know if you have come across Maggie Iacono from Maggie made dolls. Her beautiful felt dolls have some of their outfits made from felt especially the more structured items like coats I was looking back at the archives and drooling. If you have a lot of wool/rayon blend I would be tempted to use some to practice with before splashing out on pure wool felt, the quality of the blend felt does vary a lot and some of mine feels very like the pure wool felt that I have. Thank you for the idea I think some of my dolls may have some felt coats and hats in their future.

 

Absolutely beautiful dolls, and beautifully dressed.

I just can't get past the fact that they're made of felt, which I develooped a lifelong dislike to, due to encountering so many naff art/craft uses of cheap synthetic felt, in the 70s, which invariably looked worn-out and tatty almost as soon as they were finished.

Teddy