May 19, 2025

Wool, Acrylic, or Blend? How to choose the Right Felt for Your Project

Not sure which type of felt to use for your next craft project? You’re not alone! With so many different options— wool or acrylic, different thickness and sheet sizes, it can be tricky to know which felt to choose and where to get it from.

Whether you’re making something with the kids or sewing a gift they’ll treasure, the felt you choose really can make a big difference. Before you cut into your next project, let’s make sure your felt is up to the task.

There’s nothing worse than spending time and money sewing something fun for the kids only for it to fall apart after a couple of uses!

Let’s go through the most common types of felt and what the differences are between each felt type so you can choose the right one for your project with confidence!

3 MOST COMMON TYPES OF FELT

Felt is made by squashing and matting fibres together, rather than weaving or knitting them like other fabric types. It can be made from natural fibres (such as wool), synthetic fibres (polyester), or a blend of both.

When it comes to choosing felt there are 3 main types to choose from;

· 100% Wool Felt

· Wool Blend Felt

· Acrylic Felt

Each type has its own feel, strength, and durability to consider when deciding which type of felt to use for your crafting or sewing project.

100% WOOL FELT

At the top of the quality scale is 100% wool felt. Made entirely from natural wool fibres, this type of felt is both beautifully soft and incredibly durable. It doesn’t pill, has excellent shape retention with very little stretch, and is naturally water-repellent thanks to the lanolin found in wool.

Depending on the thickness you choose, wool felt can be soft and flexible or firm and structured, making it incredibly versatile. It’s also the most sustainable option: biodegradable, renewable, and often ethically sourced. While it does come with a higher price point, it’s well worth it for keepsake projects, heirloom-quality toys, and costume pieces that are designed to be treasured and used again and again.

Keep in mind that not all wool felts are 100% wool, many are blends (see below) check the product description/label if you're after pure wool.

WOOL BLEND FELT

Wool-blend felt strikes a lovely balance between quality and affordability. It’s made from a combination of wool (often around 20–60%) and synthetic fibres (like rayon) or semi synthetic fibres (like viscose- which is made from wood pulp/bamboo). This blend gives it the warmth and durability of wool, it holds up well to frequent handling, and it doesn’t stretch or warp as easily as acrylic felt.

Thanks to the wool content, it also has some natural water-repellent qualities and tends to keep its shape nicely. It’s ideal for felt dress-ups, ornaments, finger puppets, toys and other handmade projects where you want a quality result without the premium price tag.

ACRYLIC FELT

Acrylic felt is the most accessible and budget-friendly type you'll find in craft stores. It’s made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, or recycled plastic bottles (known as Eco-Felt), which gives it a slightly shiny finish.

While it’s great for quick or disposable craft projects, it’s not particularly durable, has a tendency to pill (bobble) and can stretch out of shape easily. It may also tear with repeated use, especially when used in sewn items that will be handled a lot.

Acrylic felt is typically thin and soft, making it floppy for structured projects unless stiffener is added. Although it's mildly water-resistant, it doesn't hold up well when wet.

It's a great option for simple kids’ crafts, party decorations, or décor projects that don’t get handled much. If you're putting time into a handmade item you want to last or be more durable, you'll probably want to reach for something sturdier.

FELT THICKNESS

Across these types, felt thickness can vary between 1 – 4mm, with most felt being 1 – 2 mm thick.

· 3-4mm felt is thicker and generally used for sturdier projects such as mats, coasters and bags.

· 1-2mm felt is the thickness generally used for craft or sewing projects. But what matters most when choosing felt is what it’s made from, a 1mm thick acrylic felt will have very different properties to a 1mm 100% wool felt (as discussed above).

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FELT FOR YOUR PROJECT

Still a bit overwhelmed or confused?

Let’s summarise all of this to make it easier for you to decide:

Felt Type	Material	Durability	Stiffness	Stretch	Best Uses
Acrylic Felt	100% synthetic	Low –pills/tears easily	Low unless stiffened	Can stretch	Kids crafts, party decorations, short-term or decorative projects
Wool-Blend Felt	Mix of wool (20–60%) + synthetic	Good –holds shape well	Medium – holds form	Minimal stretch	Dress-ups, ornaments, puppets, and general craft sewing
100% Wool Felt	100% wool (natural fibre)	High – very durable	High – excellent structure	Very minimal	Keepsake toys, heirloom dress-ups, premium craft projects, long-term use

WHERE TO BUY QUALITY FELT

When shopping for felt, make sure to check the product label/description to see whether it’s 100% wool, a wool-blend (like 20/80), or fully synthetic. While big craft stores are convenient, online fabric shops often offer a wider colour selection, higher-quality options, and more detailed product information. Many also stock pre-cut felt sheets, patterned felt and ready-to-use felt shapes in coordinated colour packs.

Here are some of our favourites. Some of these stores are affiliate links. If you click and purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

USA

Benzie – 100% Wool and Wool Blend Felt (20-35% Wool/ Rayon) - https://www.benziedesign.com/

Felt Pod – 100% Wool Felt - https://www.thefeltpod.com/

A Market Collection – Wool Blend Felt (20-35% merino wool and 80-65% rayon) -https://tidd.ly/4dnl5yJ

EUROPE

Holland Felt – 100% Wool Felt – Wholesale Only but See Worldwide Stockist List - https://hollandfelt.nl/en/hobby/

Wool Felt Company - 100% Wool Felt - Wool Blend Felt - Polyester Felt - http://www.woolfeltcompany.co.uk

Cloud Craft - 100% Wool Felt - http://www.cloudcraft.co.uk

AUSTRALIA

Bumble Bee Designs - 100% Wool Felt https://www.bumblebeedesignsboutique.com/

My Felt Lady – 100% Wool Felt - https://myfeltlady.com/collections/100-merino-wool-felt

Oliver and May – 100% Wool Felt - https://tidd.ly/3H3gQwb

The Felt Emporium – Wool Blend Felt (20% Wool 80% Rayon) - https://tidd.ly/4drWd95

Choosing the right felt doesn’t have to be confusing. Once you know what each type is best suited for, it becomes much easier to match it to your project. Whether you’re crafting with the kids, sewing a dress-up crown, or making a handmade gift, the right felt can make all the difference.

Ready to get started?

Download our free crown template and make a personalised felt crown.

Explore our beginner-friendly sewing patterns.