When it comes to crafting, sewing, and upholstery, felt fabric holds a unique place. It's one of the oldest textiles in the world, loved for its dense texture, flexibility, and wide variety of applications. Whether you’re working on a DIY costume, a cozy home accessory, or a stylish decorative item, felt cloth fabric is a versatile choice that’s easy to cut, shape, and stitch.
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But what exactly is felt material? How is it made? What are the different types available, and how can you choose the best one for your project?
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into what felt fabric is, how it compares with other materials, and why it’s a top choice for creative individuals and professional designers alike. Plus, we'll guide you through buying felt by the yard, using wool felt fabric for crafting, and exploring felt for needle felting.
Felt fabric is a non-woven textile made by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together. Unlike woven or knitted fabrics, which are made with threads that are interlaced or looped, felt is formed through a process that fuses the fibers using heat, moisture, and pressure.
This structure gives felt its signature dense, smooth, and slightly fuzzy surface. It doesn't fray when cut, which makes it incredibly useful for crafting and pattern work.
Felt can be made from natural fibers like wool, synthetic fibers such as acrylic or polyester, or blends of both. Each type has its advantages depending on your needs.
Felt is considered one of the oldest known textiles. Historians believe that felt was used as early as BCE in Central Asia. Nomadic tribes used wool felt fabric to make tents, rugs, clothing, and shoes, thanks to its insulating properties and weather resistance.
In fact, ancient cultures prized felt for its strength and warmth, especially in cold regions. Over time, felt spread across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and became an essential part of traditional wear and textile art.
Today, felt is still used for practical items, but it’s also become a favorite material in modern fashion, home décor, and arts and crafts.
Felt is created through a unique process called felting, which involves agitating and bonding fibers together without weaving or knitting. There are three main ways to make felt:
This method uses natural fibers like wool. The wool fibers are soaked in warm water and soap, then agitated until they interlock. As the fibers shrink and tangle together, they form a solid, matted fabric.
Needle felting is a dry process where barbed needles are used to tangle fibers by poking them repeatedly. This method is often used for sculpting felt into 3D shapes and for crafting intricate patterns and designs.
Felt for needle felting typically requires high-quality wool roving, and the results are often used in toy-making, embellishments, or miniature art pieces.
Synthetic felt is usually created in factories using machines that compress fibers like polyester or acrylic. These fibers are bonded with heat, pressure, and adhesives to create felt fabric by the yard for mass production.
Felt comes in various types based on the fibers used and the method of production. Here’s a breakdown:
This is the most traditional type and is made from 100% wool or a high wool content blend. It’s soft, warm, and naturally flame-resistant. Wool felt fabric is biodegradable, durable, and ideal for professional crafts and wearables.
Acrylic felt fabric Also called craft felt, this type is made from synthetic fibers. It’s less expensive than wool felt and is widely available. While it's not as soft or insulating, it holds its shape well and is perfect for children’s crafts and decorations.
A combination of wool and synthetic fibers. Blended felt offers the softness of wool with the durability of synthetics. It’s a great middle-ground for projects that need both texture and toughness.
Felt’s versatility means it's used in dozens of industries and DIY settings. Here are some of the most popular uses:
Felt cloth fabric is a go-to material for crafters. It’s easy to cut, doesn’t fray, and comes in many colors and thicknesses. People use felt to make puppets, ornaments, toys, bookmarks, flower appliqués, wall hangings, and much more.
In fashion, wool felt fabric is used to make hats, slippers, coats, and even handbags. Its natural insulation and luxurious feel make it perfect for colder climates.
Felt is often used in decorative cushions, table mats, coasters, wall art, and nursery items. It’s also popular for seasonal and holiday-themed décor due to its rich texture and color availability.
Thick felt is great for padding and lining furniture, as well as dampening sound in walls, floors, and ceilings. Upholsterers love felt fabric by the yard because of its density and ease of application.
Felt boards and felt playsets are used in early childhood education for interactive storytelling and learning. Felt’s soft texture also makes it great for sensory toys and activities.
Faux Fur Fabrics
Unlike felt fabric, which is known for its smooth, dense structure, faux fur fabrics offer a plush, animal-like texture perfect for winter wear and cozy upholstery.
Minky Fabrics
While felt cloth fabric has a firm and matte feel, minky fabrics are ultra-soft and stretchable, often used for baby blankets and stuffed toys due to their silky touch.
Velvet Fabrics
Compared to felt material, which lacks sheen, velvet fabrics bring a luxurious luster and deep pile texture, ideal for elegant gowns, upholstery, and drapery.
Satin Fabrics
Where felt by the yard delivers a flat, matte look, satin fabrics dazzle with their high-gloss surface, commonly used in formalwear and luxurious bedding.
Spandex Fabrics
While wool felt fabric provides structure and stability, spandex fabrics are stretchable and body-hugging, perfect for activewear and performance garments.
Lace Fabrics
Unlike the solid and opaque nature of felt for needle felting, lace fabrics are sheer and decorative, used in bridal fashion and delicate overlays.
Sequin Fabrics
While felt material is understated and traditional, sequin fabrics are bold and sparkling, ideal for party dresses, costumes, and eye-catching accessories.
Taffeta Fabrics
Felt fabric is soft and flexible, whereas taffeta fabrics are crisp and structured, favored for ball gowns and decorative linings due to their rustling effect.
Chiffon Fabrics
Compared to the heavier felt cloth fabric, chiffon fabrics are lightweight and airy, flowing beautifully for dresses, scarves, and overlays.
Poplin Fabrics
Felt material is warm and dense, while poplin fabrics are tightly woven and breathable, often used for shirts, uniforms, and casual dresses.
Organza Fabrics
While felt by the yard offers a firm base for crafts, organza fabrics provide a sheer, stiff finish that adds volume to gowns and decorative pieces.
Blanket Fabrics
Felt for needle felting is ideal for DIY and crafts, but blanket fabrics like fleece or sherpa offer superior softness and warmth for bedding and throws.
When shopping for felt fabric by the yard, consider the following factors:
Fiber Content: 100% wool is premium quality, while acrylic is more affordable. Choose based on your needs.
Thickness: Felt is available in various thicknesses, typically ranging from 1mm to 5mm or more. Thicker felt is more rigid, while thinner felt is better for intricate designs.
Color Options: Most suppliers offer a wide range of vibrant colors. Some even provide custom dyeing.
Width and Length: Fabric by the yard usually comes in widths between 36 to 72 inches. Check dimensions to avoid wastage.
At IceFabrics, we offer premium quality felt by the yard in different styles and shades, ideal for both personal and commercial use.
No fraying when cut – no need to hem edges
Excellent insulation – retains heat and absorbs sound
Eco-friendly – especially wool felt fabric
Soft texture – pleasant to handle and wear
Great color absorption – vibrant dye results
Versatile – suitable for crafting, upholstery, décor, and fashion
Can pill over time with friction
Not very stretchy, unless blended with spandex or elastic fibers
For more information, please visit extra thick felt.
May shrink if exposed to moisture (natural felt only)
Synthetic felts may not be biodegradable
Needle felting is a popular craft that involves using a barbed needle to interlock wool fibers into sculptures, patches, or 3D designs. Unlike felt sheets, this method uses loose wool, often called wool roving.
Projects made with felt for needle felting include:
Miniature animals and characters
Felt flowers and brooches
Custom ornaments and toys
Embellishments for hats, bags, and clothing
If you're into DIY art or want to try something new, needle felting is an enjoyable and creative hobby.
Felt is often confused with fleece and flannel, but they’re quite different:
Felt is the better choice when you want a structured, crisp look and easy-to-handle material. Fleece offers more stretch and warmth, while flannel is softer and more breathable for wearables.
To extend the life of your felt cloth fabric, proper care is essential:
Spot clean only for most felt projects. Avoid machine washing unless labeled safe.
Hand wash gently using cold water and mild soap for wool felt.
Do not wring or twist. Squeeze water out gently.
Air dry flat to avoid warping or shrinkage.
Store in a dry place, away from direct sunlight or moisture.
For synthetic felts, you may be able to machine wash on a gentle cycle, but always check manufacturer instructions first.
Looking for the best place to buy felt fabric by the yard, wool felt fabric, or felt for needle felting?
At IceFabrics, we offer a wide collection of premium felt fabric in different thicknesses, colors, and styles to match your project’s needs. Whether you’re creating a costume, crafting toys, upholstering furniture, or decorating a space, we have the perfect fabric for you.
Our selection includes:
Classic wool felt fabric
Affordable synthetic felt
Specialty felts for upholstery or décor
Soft felt sheets for school projects and crafts
Felt fabric is more than just a crafting essential it’s a timeless textile that combines strength, softness, and creativity. Whether you choose felt cloth fabric made from wool or synthetics, this fabric offers limitless potential for fashion, décor, DIY, and artistic expression.
From cozy cushions to intricate felt toys, felt continues to be a favorite for beginners and experts alike. So the next time you're planning a craft or looking to upholster with style, consider adding felt fabric by the yard to your fabric collection.
Ah, felt – the fruitcake of the crafting world! It’s been around forever, is delightfully versatile, and never goes out of style. Whether you’re making a cozy garland or sprucing up a coffee table, using the right type of felt can take your project from “meh” to “wowza!” Let’s felt our way into this magical fabric craft world and pick the perfect materials for your creative venture.
Picture this: snugly toys, festive decorations, and cot mobile toys gently swaying above a baby’s crib. That’s the magic of soft felt – it’s the ultimate cuddle buddy for any craft project that needs a bit of fluff and comfort.
In fact, I almost made a big mistake when I first started crafting.
When I decided to make my first cot mobiles for babies, I only had hard felt at home – the stiff type I usually used for beaded jewellery. I didn’t realize at the time how important it is to choose the right felt for the right project. Hard felt made sewing difficult because it’s tough to push the needle through. Worse, once stuffed, the toys developed ugly wrinkles and sharp angles instead of soft, rounded shapes. It looked rough, not cuddly – exactly the opposite of what you want for a baby’s mobile.
That’s why for any plush toy project, soft felt is essential.
Soft felt not only makes sewing easier but also helps stuffed creations look smooth, unified, and truly huggable.
If you’re ready to get into soft felt, I highly recommend the Pastel Soft Felt Sheets Bundle (21 x 90cm).
This is the one I use for nearly all my projects – especially for baby cot mobiles – because the gentle pastel colours create such a calm, delicate feel in a nursery.
Need something a little thicker and colourful for detailed plushies? The 28pcs Thick 1.4mm Felt Sheets (20 x 30cm) are a fantastic choice.
And if you want to add a little sparkle to your creations, don’t miss the 20pcs Glitter Felt Fabric (20 x 30cm) – perfect for special details like stars, hearts, or magical accents!
Choosing the right felt matters more than you might think.
When you’re just starting, your projects won’t be perfect (and that’s okay – it’s part of learning!). But using the wrong type of felt or poor-quality supplies can make your creations look worse than they really are, which could kill your motivation. Trust me, you want your supplies to help you, not work against you.
That’s why selecting not just good-quality felt, but the right type for your specific project, is one of the best choices you can make as a beginner.
If stability is what you need, then hard felt is your name-tag-wearing bestie. This material is perfect for projects that require structure – think table decorations, sturdy coasters, or embroidered jewellery that needs to hold its shape beautifully.
In fact, hard felt was where my crafting journey truly began.
At the start of my career, I specialized in creating embroidered jewellery using seed beads and gemstones. Fortunately, I did my research beforehand and discovered that hard felt is perfect for anything where you want a design to keep its shape. I used it to create earrings, brooches, and necklaces shaped like animals, flowers, and all sorts of imaginative objects.
Working with hard felt made the process so easy.
I would simply place my pattern onto the felt, outline it with a pencil, and then the magic would begin. Using different seed beads, embroidery threads, and gemstones, I decorated each piece until it came to life. What made everything even more convenient was having a full set of felt sheets with a wide variety of colours – so no matter what stones or beads I had, I always found the perfect matching felt.
It was a very special time in my life, and I truly loved creating jewellery with hard felt.
The possibilities you can unlock with just felt, beads, and a few creative patterns are simply mind-blowing!
If you’re ready to explore hard felt yourself, I recommend the 40pcs Stiff Felt Sheets for Crafting.
This set comes with plenty of colour options, so you’re always ready for your next creative project.
Here’s a peek into my felt handbook: I gravitate towards hard felt for beaded jewellery and soft felt for toys – because, let’s face it, I’m soft at heart.
I definitely loved working with hard felt, and honestly, sometimes I miss it. Creating jewellery pieces with seed beads and gemstones had its own stunning beauty – structured, bold, and full of character.
However, as time passed (and maybe because I’m getting a little older and softer!), I completely fell in love with making plushies from soft felt, especially adorable collections of different animals.
It feels like building a little world – once you finish one, you immediately want to start another, and another, and another!
This creative addiction never really ends.
Compared to working with hard felt for jewellery, making plushies with soft felt brings a completely different feeling.
It’s softer, more heart-warming, almost impossible to explain – you simply need to try it yourself and discover which creative path speaks to you more.
If you’re ready to experience this magic, take a look at this sewing pattern collection for plushies.
You’ll find a world of cute characters just waiting to come to life with a little bit of soft felt and a lot of love.
Now, let’s talk about that extra sparkle – those perfect little decorative touches that bring your felt creations to life.
Imagine stars, moons, and heart shapes cut from mirrored or glitter faux leather, adding shimmer and charm to your plushies and ornaments.
I absolutely love using Holographic Faux Leather, especially when making Christmas ornaments for my tree. It adds just the right amount of shine and creates such a festive atmosphere.
If you’re working on seasonal decorations, like Halloween projects, this kind of material also works beautifully and makes your creations stand out.
For even more sparkle, the 20Pcs Shiny Glitter Faux Leather is another favourite.
It’s perfect for adding bold accents and giving your designs that little extra magic without overwhelming them.
When you’re exploring the felt world, consider a few essentials. Think about your project type – are you organizing a plushie party or arranging a formal affair of table décors? Do you need a flirt of softness or the gritty determination of stiffness? Consider the felt’s texture and, yes, durability, so your creations last through the ages (or at least a few family gatherings).
Choosing the right felt makes all the difference. Whether you aim for something snuggly soft or fiercely firm, the world of felt awaits your imagination. This crafting adventure brings stories to life, so go ahead, pick up that felt and create some fabric magic.
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