Fabric The notebook
Wool felt or acrylic felt? Testing both side by side
How wool, wool-blend and acrylic craft felt differ in strength, pilling, washing and stitching, and which one to use for which softie.
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Craft felt is not one material. The cheap sheets in every craft shop are usually 100% acrylic or polyester. Proper wool felt costs several times more. Wool-blend felt (often 20–35% wool with viscose or polyester) sits in between. They look nearly the same on the shelf and behave very differently in a toy.
The quickest way to know your felt is to test it. Here is the comparison worth doing once, and what you will usually find.
Step 1: Label the squares
You need
- felt squares
- permanent marker
Cut a 10 cm square of each felt and write the type and shop on the corner. Measure each square exactly and note it. You will compare after washing.
Step 2: The pull test
You need
- the squares
Hold a square at opposite edges and pull. Acrylic craft felt thins and stretches out quickly, and a thin sheet can tear. Wool felt is denser and springs back. Wool-blend usually holds well. For anything that will be stuffed firmly, you need felt that does not stretch, because stuffing pressure stretches a weak felt into a lumpy shape.
Step 3: The rub test
You need
- a second square of the same felt
Rub two pieces of the same felt together fifty times, as a child’s hands would. Acrylic felt pills and goes fuzzy quickly. Wool felt keeps a smooth surface much longer. Blends are in between, with the higher wool content doing better.
Step 4: The wash test
You need
- bowl of warm water
- wool wash
Hand wash all the squares together in warm water, squeeze gently, and dry them flat. Measure again. Wool felt can shrink and thicken a little, more if it is agitated or the water is hot. Acrylic shrinks less but may come out limp and crinkled. This is why a felt toy is a sponge-clean or gentle hand-wash toy, not a machine-wash one.
Step 5: Decide by use
You need
- your notes
For a toy that will be handled and loved, use wool or a good wool blend. It stitches crisply, keeps its edges and lasts. Keep acrylic felt for decorations, practice pieces and small details that are not stretched by stuffing. For a baby toy that will need regular machine washing, choose a knit fleece or cotton instead of felt.