Production process
There are two production approaches we use making felt shoes. The traditional method is wet-fetling - handmade process of making seamless shoes. The improvements in technology also allowed us to optimize the process by sewing shoes which made the shoes lighter and flexible to customize the design.
Wet felting technology
We clean wool by removing all the dirt and raw hair. Wool fibers are then untangled, washed with hot water and dyed.
Sheep shearing takes place once a year in spring. Hair shaving tool is run along a sheep’s skin without cause any pain.
Sheep shearing
Cleaning wool
We clean wool by removing all the dirt and raw hair. Wool fibers are then untangled, washed with hot water and dyed.
Wet felting
We make felt by adding hot water and soap to the cleaned wool. By rolling felt around shoe molds we regulate the shape.
Drying
After achieving the necessary shape, density and size, we dry them on shoe molds. Slippers are then shaved on the surface to remove the loose fibers.
Outsoles
After being dried, we glue and sew outsoles around the edges. Brand labels and additional bands are also sewn to the shoes at this stage.
Wastewater
The water used for the felt-making process is then cleaned with the mechanical filtering system and provided for planting at the local farms.
Sewing technology
Sewn shoes are made of felt sheets by pattern cutting and sewing them together.
Preparing felt sheets
We first prepare felt sheets by wet-felting wool and regulating to achieve the necessary thickness and density.
Cutting & sewing
Felt sheets are then cut into shoe patterns designed for each model. The cut-outs are then sewn together on a machine.
Forming
The pre-forms are then worn on shoe molds, ironed on the outside and corrected to achieve the necessary shape.
Quality Standards
Due to the handmade production processes, some deviation from the standard parameters is inescapable. However, for each production process, quality indications are defined and checked during each stage of production. Such verification is complied with the international quality control system.
Shape
For compliance with the shape and size, each pair is measured and checked by special markings on shoe lasts.
Density
The standard is 0.27-0.28 gram / cm3. There are standardized thickness and weight measurements for each pair of felt slippers. The standard thickness for wet-felted slippers is 6.5 mm. The standard thickness for sewn slippers is 5.5 m. The soles of sewn slippers consist of two layers of felt with 4.5 mm thickness.
Color
Due to the handmade processes of production and use of heat and water, we allow 0-5%deviation from the reference color in Pantone TPX system. The quality of the applied dyes is determined by resistance to wet and dry methods of abrasion.
Gluing
The quality of gluing work (attaching a leather or rubber outsole to a slipper) is subject for external inspection and selective testing by twisting and tearing. All types of soles, except for rubber, must be stitched additionally around the perimeter of soles. The quality of glue and sole materials must be confirmed by quality certificates received by a supplier.
