Alternative to polyester felt that isn't wool?

[Mamafreya]

I was wondering if anyone knew how "bad" or unsafe polyester felt really is?
The reason I ask is because I would love to make Dd felt food for her b-day in March but she has a pretty bad allergy to wool. Her and I both breakout and itch like crazy when our bare skin touches wool. She can't even wear wool gloves without her hands getting all rashy so I'm worried that it would be too uncomfortable for her to play with wool felt food.

I looked around a little but I couldn't find out all that much info about the safety of non-wool felt. I like that the polyester stuff is recycled but if it's full of chemicals then I don't want to use that. Are there any kinds of felt that are more natural than polyester?

Thanks.

[beemama]

I don't have any info on felt... but you could use clothes you LO has outgrown to make playfood. Felt would be stiffer, but cotton might even be easier to work with.
Good luck!!

[Mamafreya]

Beemama, I've been thinking along those lines too. I think that's what I'll do if the wool thing doesn't work out.

Although, today dd was playing in her dress up box and pulled out a felted purse that I'd forgotten we had and she was playing with it all day with no ill effects. Now I'm wondering if maybe it's just things like gloves or socks that wrap around the skin completely, which cause the whole rash thing.

I don't break out unless I wear something that touches more sensitive parts of my skin. I'm fine touching wool and I'd have no problems sewing it and handeling it. I'm going to have her play with that purse tomorrow too and see if she complains. I have my fingers crossed.

[symesa]

There's an Etsy shop that uses chenille. Her name is Chenille Chef.

[Mamafreya]

Symesa, thank you. Her stuff is adorable!

[Tilia]

There is also eco-felt, which is made from recycled plastic. No better than the regular felt but at least it is recycled.

[Mamafreya]

Oh, I thought that the polyester stuff was the same as the eco-felt? I do have a little bit of the eco-felt in my craft stash that I've been using to use it up but I wasn't sure if I should go out and buy more of it. I do like that it's made from recycled bottles. That's good at least.

I think I'm in the clear as far as wool food and dd playing with the wool. So far it doesn't seem to be a problem. I guess it's wearing wool that causes the rashes. I don't know how my dh can stand it. He could sleep naked in a wool blanket and snooze away. I'd literally scratch myself raw from head to foot if I tried that.

[grniys]

I was just thinking that courderoy (sp?) would be really cute. Could you imagine an orange courderory carrot with green courderoy leaves? Aww. And a red courderoy apple. Gosh... now I want to get some courderoy!