How to choose the right felt for your project? Let's compare felts!

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Ever curious about the differences between 100% wool felt, wool blend felt, and craft felt beyond their price tags? At first glance, they may look similar, but there's a world of difference! Read on to discover the distinct characteristics of these textiles and learn which type is best suited for your crafts.

What is felt?

Felt is a non-woven textile created by pressing and rolling fibers together. It's believed to be one of the earliest fabrics produced by humans, with evidence dating back to 700 BC. Originally, it was made from wool and was used for clothing, saddles, and tents due to its durability and water-repellent properties. Today, felt has broad applications in industries like manufacturing and architecture, and it's a beloved material for crafters due to its versatility and ease of use.

Felt can be handcrafted (using wet felting or needle felting techniques) or mass-produced with machinery. If you're a fan of shows like 'Inside the Factory', you might find the manufacturing process intriguing!

The fibers used in felt manufacturing can be natural (like wool or bamboo) or synthetic (like acrylic or rayon). While all these fibers create a fabric that doesn’t fray, the different materials impart various properties to the felt. Let's delve into these:

100% Wool Felt

One hundred percent wool felt is composed solely of pure wool, often merino, known for its softness and durability. As a sustainable product derived from renewable resources, wool felt is biodegradable. Ensure that the wool is mulesing-free (a practice prohibited in our products).

With a consistent thickness and smooth, matte finish, 100% wool felt cuts cleanly without fuzzing and resists pilling. Its density makes it ideal for maintaining stitch integrity without stretching, setting it apart from thinner, less dense options like wool blend or acrylic felts.

Wool felt is washable by hand with cool water, though it may shrink around 5%, so pre-washing is advisable. It retains dyes well but wash separately to avoid color runs. You can iron it on a wool setting.

The natural oils in wool make this felt water-resistant, keeping it cleaner longer and lending it fire resistance (test by attempting to ignite; wool smolders but doesn’t catch fire). These oils also provide antibacterial properties.

Due to its cutting ease, stitch retention, and lasting smoothness, 100% wool felt is preferred by crafters and toy makers for its heirloom quality. However, it is the priciest option and not always easy to find.

Wool Blend Felt

Often simply labeled as "wool felt," wool blend felt contains only 25-40% wool, with the remainder comprising man-made fibers like rayon or acrylic. Thinner and less dense than 100% wool felt, it generally offers more durability than craft felt but is prone to pilling and stretching. With a slight sheen, wool blend felt is smooth and holds stitches well. Available in an extensive color range, it's more affordable and ideal for large projects, items with minimal wear, or children's crafts.

Craft Felt

The most economical choice, craft felt is found in craft stores and schools, made entirely from synthetic fibers like acrylic, polyester, rayon, or viscose. Environmentally conscious options include fibers from recycled plastic bottles or bamboo. However, craft felt varies widely in thickness and stiffness, often featuring a plastic-like shine and susceptibility to distortion.

Great for young crafters or for testing designs, craft felt may not stand the test of time but works well for structured projects. Choose wisely based on the intended use; stiff craft felt is unsuitable for stuffed toys but perfect for projects needing structure. It is also a vegan-friendly option.

Below is a comparison chart of the three types of felt, delineating their key properties:

100% Wool Felt

Wool Blend Felt

Craft Felt

Composition:

100% wool

20-40% wool, 60-80% acrylic or rayon

0% (bamboo, plastic bottles, acrylic, rayon)

Fraying:

No

No

No

Stretching:

Dense, doesn’t stretch

Less dense, slight stretch

Thin, stretches easily

Water Repellant:

Yes

Somewhat

No

Safety:

Flame retardant

Flame resistant

Flammable

Environmental Impact:

Sustainable

Sustainable (varies by composition)

Non-biodegradable, varies by composition

Washable:

Yes (with shrinkage)

Yes (with shrinkage)

Yes, no shrinkage

Texture and Appearance:

Smooth, matte

Smooth, slight sheen

Varies: fuzzy or hard, sheen

Colors:

Many (no bright white)

Extensive range, including white

Limited, including white

Hold Stitches:

Very well

Moderately well

Poorly

Pilling (bobbles):

Unlikely

Somewhat likely

Very likely

Price:

£££

££

£

Here's an image showing seam appearances with different types of felt. You can observe that 100% wool felt, being denser, results in seams without puckering. Notice the slight sheen present in wool blend and craft felts.