Handled matted fabric (4)
I believe the answer is:
felt
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'handled' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'matted fabric' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for felt that I've seen before include "Sensed - beret material" , "Soft fabric; touched" , "checked by hand" , "Fingered" , "investigated in touching way" .)