Choosing the Right Felt for Your Projects

A Complete Guide to Types, Uses, and Certifications

If you’re a crafter, designer, "mompreneur"—or proudly rocking all three hats—you’ve probably worked with felt before. But here’s the thing: not all felt is cut from the same cloth. Different types of felt are made from different fibers, vary in thickness and durability, and shine best in specific projects.
Whether you’re stitching up heirloom-quality keepsakes, whipping up kid-friendly crafts, or designing for home and fashion, choosing the right felt can make all the difference. Think of this as your Craft Felt 101 guide—a handy roadmap to help you understand the types of felt, their unique qualities (including what is OEKO-TEX® 100 Standard and why you'll love it), and the best ways to use them in your creative journey.

Types of Felt: What You Need to Know

In this blog, we’re going to explore the types of felt most commonly used for crafts, décor, fashion, and accessories. Felt is a versatile non-woven material that pops up in all kinds of industries—and while many types of felt may look similar at first glance, their makeup and best uses can be very different.
Take 100% wool felt for example: it’s naturally fire-resistant, highly absorbent, and excellent at retaining heat, making it a top choice for clothing, liners, and long-lasting accessories. Whereas 100% polyester felt, on the other hand, shines in a different way. While it doesn’t have the natural properties of wool, it’s lightweight, affordable, and comes in a huge variety of colors. That makes it a perfect go-to for kids’ crafts, costumes, seasonal décor, and any project where creativity and color matter most.

100% Wool Craft Felt
This material is considered the gold standard in felt crafting.

100% wool felt is a maker’s dream—durable, versatile, and oh-so satisfying to work with. Made from natural, hypoallergenic wool, it’s created using an age-old process of heat, moisture, and pressure that magically bonds the fibers together (no weaving or stitching required!). The result? A soft yet sturdy textile that keeps its shape, won’t fray when cut, and is built to last through project after project.

We recommend our 100% Wool Felt if you’re looking for a durable material with a soft, fabric-like finish and rich color.

The denser the felt, the better it resists water. That’s because tightly packed fibers leave little room for moisture to sneak through. Instead, water tends to bead up on the surface, giving you a chance to simply wipe it away before it has a chance to soak in.

Our 100% Wool Craft Felt measures about 1.2mm thick and is colored using eco-friendly, vegetable-based dyes.
Please note: The Natural shade is completely undyed for a pure, organic look.

Whether you’re working on a simple project or something more intricate, this felt is a reliable and inspiring companion. If you're looking for something natural, cozy, and trustworthy, 100% wool felt is a wonderful material to work with.

It’s also OEKOTEX® Standard 100 certified, making it safe for baby and children’s projects.

Pros: OEKOTEX® Standard 100, durable, soft but structured, doesn’t fray, eco-friendly (renewable material).
Cons: Higher price point, more limited color range than other material collections.

Here is a link to one of our favorite tutorials using 100% Wool Craft Felt: Floral Felt Wine Bottle Gift Topper

Premium Wool Blend Craft Felt
Soft, durable, and naturally beautiful.

Our wool blend felt is made with 40% natural wool, and 60% viscose fibers, making this one of the highest percentage wool blends on the market. It’s a great alternative to 100% wool felt, offering a soft touch, durability, and a smooth, fabric-like texture.

This felt is a top choice for crafters seeking performance and value. With its high fiber density, this felt features rich, vibrant colors and a clean, refined finish. It’s also OEKOTEX® Standard 100 certified, making it safe for baby and children’s projects.

This material is commonly used in a wide range of projects, from ornaments and holiday decorations to felt liners for display cabinets and costume accessories. It’s more affordable than pure wool felt but still offers that high-end feel that people love about wool.

Wool blend felt is relatively easy to work with and holds up well over time. While it can tolerate a bit more moisture than 100% wool, it’s still best to clean it gently by spot washing to preserve its texture and shape.

Pros: OEKOTEX® Standard 100, durable, rich colored, soft but structured, doesn't fray, easy to cut and sew.
Cons: There aren't many to be honest. Our wool blend felt is a great "middle of the road" option for a variety of projects.

Here is a link to one of our favorite tutorials using Wool Blend Craft Felt: Butterfly and Moth Patches.

Rayon/Viscose Craft Felt
The smooth, eco-conscious choice.

Rayon/Viscose felt is made from cellulose derived from wood pulp. It offers a silky-smooth texture and deep, vibrant colors. As a vegan-friendly, semi-synthetic material, it’s both luxurious and a great option for those looking for a wool alternative.

If you’re looking to elevate your creative work with a felt that feels just as good as it looks, rayon/viscose felt is a beautiful option worth exploring. Known for its rich color, and smooth finish, this felt is a favorite for makers who want something a little more refined.

The smooth surface makes it easier to achieve crisp lines and detailed shapes, while its color depth adds a touch of richness to any design.

Because of its quality and natural fiber content, rayon/viscose felt is often preferred for special projects or small business products where presentation and texture matter. Unlike 100% synthetic felt (like our Acrylic material), which has a slightly more fibrous texture, rayon/viscose felt is smoother and more uniform, making it ideal for detailed work and professional-looking results.

Because rayon felt is less durable than wool or wool blends, it’s not ideal for projects that require heavy handling or long-term use (such as heirloom pieces). This material does well in decorative applications (wall hangings/banners), educational supplies (great for story boards or classroom activities), and drawer liners or jewelry box linings.

Pros: OEKOTEX® Standard 100 certified, Smooth texture, rich colored, easy to cut and sew, affordable.
Cons: May start to pill with heavy handling or long-term use.

Acrylic Craft Felt
Affordable, colorful, and kid-friendly.

Acrylic felt is a synthetic fabric that’s lightweight, flexible, and easy to work with. It comes in a huge variety of colors, making it ideal for everything from simple kids’ crafts to detailed home décor projects. Acrylic felt is the most affordable material option we carry, which makes it perfect for experimenting with big ideas or working in bulk.

Whether you’re sewing, gluing, layering, or simply cutting shapes, acrylic felt is one of the most forgiving and fun materials to have on hand.

This felt has a slight transparency since it is less dense than higher-quality options. Its lower density also means it may pill and stretch more easily. Unlike stiffer felts, it is soft and pliable, more like a plush fabric, and cuts easily with a sharp pair of scissors—making it an excellent choice for kids’ crafts and beginners.

From classroom art projects to handmade gifts and product prototypes, acrylic felt offers a simple yet professional finish. It’s a go-to material for teachers, parents, small business crafters, and anyone who enjoys bringing ideas to life with their hands.

In addition to being sold by the yard, we also offer Craft Felt in individual sheets and assorted color packs.

Pros: Wide variety of color options available, easy to cut, sew and glue, doesn’t fray, very affordable option.
Cons: Less durable, prone to pilling and stretching over time with heavy handling.

Here is a link to one of our favorite tutorials using Acrylic Craft Felt: DIY Felt Birthday Crown.

Material Fulfillment (What you Need to Know):

Our craft felt materials are primarily sold by the yard, but we also offer smaller size options for some products:

1. 100% Wool Felt - Available by the yard and in ½-yard pre-cut sheets that measure 18" x 72".
2. Premium Wool Blend Felt - Available by the yard, in ½-yard re-cut sheets that measure 18" x 72", and in assorted 9" x 12" themed sheet packs.
3. Rayon/Viscose Felt - Available by the yard.
4. Synthetic (Acrylic) Craft Felt - Available by the yard and in sheet packs.

Our material will be fulfilled as one continuous piece, unless you select the "1YD Pre-Cut" option, which is available on select products. This means if you order 5 yards, you’ll receive one continuous piece that is 5 yards long by 72 inches wide. If you do not see the "1YD Pre-Cut" option and would like to receive your order as 5 separate pieces, drop an "Order Note" during checkout OR email us at sales@thefeltstore.com and a member of our customer service team will happily assist you.

Felt might seem like a simple material, but choosing the right type can elevate your work from ordinary to extraordinary. By understanding the differences between acrylic (synthetic), rayon/viscose, wool blend, and 100% wool felt, you’ll ensure your projects are not only beautiful but also safe and sustainable.

Happy Crafting!