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Felt Fabric at Joanns: Complete Guide to Felt Sheets, Wool Felt & Crafts
Felt fabric is a versatile textile commonly used in crafts, DIY projects, and home décor. From creating ornaments and toys to making wall art or custom table covers, felt adds texture, color, and charm to creative projects. Imagine crafting a vibrant felt wreath for the holidays or making a set of colorful felt flowers for a classroom display. Felt’s adaptability and ease of use make it perfect for crafters of all ages, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DIY enthusiast. At Joann’s, you can find a wide variety of felt sheets and felt fabric by the yard, making it easy to stock up for any project.
What Is Felt Fabric?
Felt fabric is a non-woven textile made by compressing and matting fibers together. Unlike woven fabrics, felt does not have threads that are woven in a structured pattern. Instead, it’s created by applying heat, moisture, and pressure to fibers such as wool, acrylic, or polyester, resulting in a dense and durable sheet of material.
Felt comes in natural and synthetic varieties. Wool felt is soft, warm, and long-lasting, ideal for projects that require durability and structure. Acrylic or polyester felt is more affordable and widely available in many colors. Felt is highly resistant to fraying, making it easy to cut intricate shapes without hemming. This makes it perfect for Christmas ornament projects where you need precise shapes Its texture ranges from smooth and flat to fuzzy or sparkly, giving crafters endless creative possibilities.
A Brief History of Felt Fabric
Felt is one of the oldest known textiles, with origins tracing back thousands of years. Traditionally, it was made from natural animal fibers like wool and used for clothing, rugs, and tents. Today, felt fabric is produced industrially, with synthetic options widely available, expanding its use for crafts, educational tools, and home décor.
Historically, It played a crucial role in the lives of nomadic peoples, particularly in Central Asia, where it was used for yurts, clothing, and rugs. Its warmth and durability made it essential for survival in harsh climates. Over time, felt spread across Europe, where it became a key material in hats, coats, and decorative arts. Modern innovations include eco-friendly felt, made from recycled fibers, which appeals to crafters looking for sustainable options.
How Is Felt Fabric Made?
Felt fabric can be created using several methods, from traditional hand techniques to modern industrial production. Each method produces felt with different textures, durability, and uses.
Wet Felting (Traditional Wool Felting)
Wet felting involves layering wool fibers, applying water, and rubbing them together to create wool felt fabric. This traditional method produces durable, high-quality felt sheets ideal for crafts and decorative projects. It often requires soap or a gentle detergent to help the fibers bind together. Crafters can experiment with layering different colored wool to create unique patterns. Small-scale projects like coasters, ornaments, and wall decorations are perfect for hand wet-felting, while larger projects like mats or costumes can also be achieved with more practice.If you enjoy working with natural fibers, you might also like burlap fabric for rustic crafts
Needle Felting
Needle felting uses a barbed needle to tangle fibers into shape. It’s popular for crafting small ornaments, toys, and educational tools. This technique is excellent for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. Beginners should use a foam pad or brush mat underneath to protect surfaces and fingers. Needle felting allows precise sculpting of 3D shapes, making it ideal for creating miniature animals, figures, or detailed embellishments for larger projects.
Industrial & Machine-Made Felt
Machine-made felt uses synthetic fibers like acrylic or polyester. It comes in pre-cut sheets or by the yard and is widely available at stores like Joanns. Industrial felt is budget-friendly and perfect for mass production of crafts and home decor. Machine-Made Felt is uniform in thickness, making it suitable for projects that require consistency, such as upholstery, large banners, or soundproof panels. It’s also easier to purchase in bulk, which is ideal for schools, crafting clubs, or DIY businesses.
Types of Felt Fabric You Can Buy
You Can Buy Felt Fabric, vary depending on fiber, durability, and intended use. Whether you’re crafting, decorating, or doing educational projects, there’s a felt type suited for every need.
Wool Felt Fabric
Premium and long-lasting, wool felt fabric is ideal for high-quality crafts and DIY projects. It maintains its shape well and is durable over time.
Acrylic or Polyester Felt
Acrylic or polyester felt sheets are budget-friendly and easy to use, making them perfect for kids’ crafts and classroom activities.
Blended Felt Fabric
Blended felt combines natural and synthetic fibers for balanced durability and affordability, making it versatile for various projects.
Choosing Felt by Thickness
You can also choose felt based on thickness: thin felt (1-2mm) is great for applique or fine detail work, medium felt (2-3mm) works well for toys and décor, and thick felt (4-5mm+) is ideal for sturdy crafts like coasters, bulletin boards, or acoustic panels.
Felt Fabric Colors & Styles
Felt Fabric Colors & Styles come in a wide range, from classic neutrals to bright and specialty options. Choosing the right color and style can enhance your crafts, DIY projects, and décor.
Black Felt Fabric
Black felt is popular in crafts and décor projects where bold contrast or detail work is needed.
Green Felt Fabric
Green felt fabric is ideal for table covers, seasonal décor, and themed craft projects.
Specialty Felt Sheets
Specialty felt comes in unique colors like purple, sparkly finishes, or seasonal patterns for festive projects and themed crafts.
What Is Felt Fabric Used For?
Felt fabric has a wide range of applications, from creative crafts to functional home and educational uses. Its versatility makes it a favorite for hobbyists and professionals alike. Felt is easy to cut, shape, and layer, which allows for endless creative possibilities.
Crafting & DIY Projects
Felt is perfect for ornaments, toys, and hobby crafts. Many crafters use Joanns felt sheets for easy DIY projects, including seasonal decorations, banners, coasters, and handmade cards. Its ability to hold shape makes it ideal for 3D projects such as stuffed animals, miniature houses, or decorative flowers.
Apparel & Accessories
Felt fabric is commonly used for wearable crafts such as hats, bags, patches, and embellishments on clothing. For projects requiring more structure, consider upholstery-weight fabrics. Felt is lightweight yet structured, making it easy to create custom designs like appliques or decorative trims. Felt can also be sewn, glued, or layered to add texture and detail to fashion accessories.
Home Décor Projects
From wall art to coasters, felt adds texture, color, and warmth to home décor. It is often used for table runners, placemats, wall hangings, and decorative pillows. Felt can also be combined with other materials like wood, beads, or embroidery to create unique pieces that complement any interior style.
Upholstery & Soundproofing
Thicker felt sheets are used in acoustic panels, furniture lining, and padding for sound absorption. Its dense, non-woven structure helps reduce noise, making it suitable for home studios, classrooms, and furniture protection. Felt’s durability ensures it holds up under repeated use in practical applications.
Educational & Sensory Tools
Felt is widely used in classrooms for interactive learning boards, storyboards, maps, and sensory play mats. Its soft texture is ideal for tactile learning, fine motor skill development, and hands-on educational activities. Felt pieces can be cut into shapes, letters, or numbers to create engaging, reusable teaching tools.
Felt Fabric by the Yard vs Felt Sheets
Felt fabric by the yard allows for larger projects and custom sizes, while pre-cut felt sheets are convenient for small crafts and immediate use. Joanns offers both options for all your crafting needs. Buying by the yard is ideal for large-scale projects like costumes, quilts, banners, or oversized décor pieces. Pre-cut sheets are perfect for quick crafts, classroom activities, or gifting projects. Cutting tips: measure carefully to minimize waste, and use a rotary cutter for straight, clean edges.
Can You Iron Felt Fabric?
Felt can be ironed with caution. Low heat is recommended to avoid melting synthetic fibers. Always place a cloth between the iron and felt fabric to protect its texture.
Steps for safe ironing:
- Set the iron to low heat.
- Place a thin pressing cloth or towel on top of the felt.
- Lightly press; do not slide to avoid stretching.
- Avoid synthetic felt if possible, as it can melt.
Pros and Cons of Felt Fabric
Pros of Felt Fabric
- Doesn’t fray, making it easy to cut
- Beginner-friendly for crafts
- Versatile and available in many colors and textures
Cons of Felt Fabric
- Sensitive to high heat
- Limited stretch, so not ideal for all apparel
Pro Tips: Felt’s durability makes it suitable for layering multiple sheets, creating 3D shapes, and combining with other materials like wood, beads, or glue. To minimize cons, avoid ironing on high heat and reinforce thin felt for heavier projects.
Felt Fabric vs Other Fabrics
This section explores how felt differs from other common textiles in terms of texture, structure, and usability. Knowing these distinctions can help you select the most suitable fabric for your specific project.
Felt Fabric vs Wool Fabric
Felt is denser and less stretchy than woven wool, making it ideal for crafts rather than clothing.
Felt vs Fleece vs Flannel
Felt has a unique texture and is more structured, while fleece is softer and flannel is more flexible for sewing projects.
| Fabric Type | Texture | Stretch | Best Use | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felt | Dense, firm | Low | Crafts, décor, educational tools | High |
| Wool | Soft, flexible | Medium | Clothing, accessories | Medium–High |
| Fleece | Soft, plush | Medium | Blankets, winter apparel | Medium |
| Flannel | Smooth, woven | Medium | Shirts, pajamas | Medium |
Caring for Felt Fabric
Felt fabric is durable, versatile, and perfect for a wide range of crafts, but it still requires proper care to maintain its texture and shape. With the right handling, your felt sheets or felt by the yard can stay soft, vibrant, and ready for projects for years to come.
Follow these simple steps to care for your felt fabric:
- Hand Wash Only – Use cold water and a mild detergent. Avoid scrubbing harshly, as this can distort the fibers.
- Avoid Wringing – Gently press out excess water using a towel instead of twisting or wringing the fabric.
- Lay Flat to Dry – Place felt on a flat surface to air dry, ensuring it keeps its original shape.
- Store Properly – Keep felt in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat to prevent fading or shrinking.
- Handle with Care – Avoid stretching or pulling, as felt can lose shape or become misshapen if treated roughly.
By following these steps, you can enjoy using your felt fabric for crafts, décor, and DIY projects without worrying about damage or wear. For machine sewing felt projects, our sewing machine guide helps you choose the right equipment.
Final Thoughts on Felt Fabric
Whether you’re shopping online or looking for Joann stores in your area, felt fabric remains accessible and affordable For home decor, Joann’s felt sheets and felt by the yard provide options for beginners and experienced crafters alike. For durable and premium projects, wool felt fabric is recommended, while acrylic or blended options suit budget-friendly or children’s crafts.
Whether you are making holiday decorations, sensory boards for classrooms, or unique gifts, felt’s accessibility and adaptability make it a must-have in any crafter’s toolkit. Experiment with colors, thicknesses, and textures, and you’ll discover why felt has remained a favorite craft material for centuries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Felt Fabric Used For?
Used in crafts, home décor, educational tools, and fashion accessories.
Does Fabric Glue Work on Felt?
Yes, most fabric glues adhere well, especially for lightweight felt projects.
Is Wool Felt Better Than Acrylic Felt?
Wool felt is more durable and premium, while acrylic is budget-friendly and easier for kids’ crafts.
Can You Buy Felt Fabric by the Yard?
Yes, Amazon and other craft stores offer felt fabric by the yard for larger projects.