Acrylic Felt vs Wool Felt: Which Is Better? (Compared)

Q: Is acrylic felt cheaper than wool felt?

Usually yes, especially by the roll. EOVEA acrylic felt runs about $8.75 to $16.90 per yard depending on quantity, versus roughly $15 to $40 for wool. Acrylic 72-inch width also covers more area per yard.

Q: Does acrylic felt shrink?

Acrylic felt does not shrink when washed in cold water. Avoid hot water and high heat drying. Wool felt shrinks significantly with heat and moisture.

Q: Which felt is better for kids' crafts?

Acrylic felt is better for kids' projects - affordable, available in bright colors, easy to cut and glue, and machine washable.

Q: How wide is acrylic felt fabric?

EOVEA acrylic felt comes in 72 inch width (6 feet), wider than most wool felt, giving more fabric per yard.

Acrylic Felt vs Wool Felt: A Complete Comparison for Crafters

Choosing the right felt fabric can make or break your project. The two most common types — acrylic felt and wool felt — have very different properties, price points, and best uses. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to make the right choice.

What Is Acrylic Felt?

Acrylic felt is a non-woven fabric made from synthetic acrylic fibers. It's manufactured by pressing and matting fibers together with heat and pressure, creating a smooth, uniform textile. Acrylic felt is the most widely available and affordable type of felt, making it the go-to choice for crafts, school projects, and decorative work.

At EOVEA, we carry acrylic felt fabric in 24 colors, 1.6mm thick and sold by the yard in a generous 72-inch width — ideal for crafts, decorations, and everyday sewing.

What Is Wool Felt?

Wool felt is made from natural animal fibers (sheep's wool) through a process called felting — using moisture, heat, and agitation to interlock the fibers. It's denser, heavier, and more expensive than acrylic felt. Wool felt is prized for its natural texture, durability, and premium feel.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Acrylic Felt	Wool Felt
Price	$8.75–$16.90 per yard	$15–$40 per yard
Color Range	24 vibrant colors	Limited, muted tones
Thickness	1.6mm	1mm–5mm
Width	72" (EOVEA standard)	36"–72" varies
Washability	Hand wash, air dry	Dry clean or spot clean
Fraying	No fraying when cut	No fraying when cut
Stiffness	Light to medium	Medium to stiff
Pilling	May pill with friction	Minimal pilling
Eco-Friendly	Synthetic (petroleum)	Natural, biodegradable
Durability	Good for light use	Excellent long-term

When to Choose Acrylic Felt

Acrylic felt is the better choice when:

Budget matters — Acrylic felt is more affordable, especially by the roll, and its 72-inch width gives more usable felt per yard
You need specific colors — 24 vibrant, consistent colors available
Kids' projects — Affordable enough for school projects and mistakes
Large quantities — Wholesale pricing makes bulk projects affordable
Decorations — Holiday ornaments, banners, and seasonal decor
Quick crafts — Easy to cut, glue, and sew with basic tools
Washable items — Can be hand washed (wool felt cannot)

When to Choose Wool Felt

Heirloom projects — Items meant to last decades
Jewelry and accessories — Premium look and feel
Natural/eco preference — Biodegradable material
Stuffed animals — Higher quality, no pilling
Professional work — Artisan crafts for sale at premium prices

Can You Mix Acrylic and Wool Felt?

Absolutely! Many crafters use acrylic felt for the base or backing of a project and wool felt for visible details and accents. This gives you the budget-friendly base with premium-looking details. For example, an acrylic felt banner with wool felt letters combines the best of both.

The Bottom Line

For 90% of craft, school, and decorative projects, acrylic felt fabric is the practical choice. It's affordable, available in more colors, washable, and easy to work with. Save wool felt for special projects where the premium look and durability justify the higher cost.

For a deeper dive into acrylic felt, read our complete acrylic felt fabric guide.

Cost per Project: Why Acrylic Usually Wins on Price

Sticker price per yard only tells half the story — width and bulk pricing matter just as much:

Width: Our acrylic felt is 72 inches wide, while much wool felt is 36 inches. One yard of acrylic can cover roughly twice the area, so the real cost per usable square foot is lower than the per-yard price suggests.
Bulk: Buying acrylic felt by the roll drops the price well under the single-yard rate, which adds up fast on classroom sets, market inventory, or large decor projects.
Waste: Because felt does not fray, you can use nearly every inch — no seam allowances or finished edges eating into your yardage.

Wool felt earns its higher price on heirloom and resale pieces where texture and longevity matter most; for everyday craft volume, acrylic stretches your budget further.

Sustainability: The Honest Trade-Off

Neither felt is strictly "greener" — they trade different strengths:

Wool felt is a natural, renewable, biodegradable fiber, but it needs gentle care and can shrink or felt further with heat and moisture.
Acrylic felt is synthetic and not biodegradable, but it is colorfast, washable, moth-proof, and durable for light use — qualities that keep projects usable longer.
For long-lasting, low-maintenance items, acrylic's durability offsets part of its synthetic footprint; for compostable, natural projects, wool is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is acrylic felt as good as wool felt?

For most craft projects, acrylic felt performs just as well as wool felt at a fraction of the cost. Wool felt is superior for heirloom-quality items and professional artisan work where premium texture matters.

Does acrylic felt shrink?

Acrylic felt does not shrink when washed in cold water. However, avoid hot water and high heat drying, which can distort the fabric. Wool felt, on the other hand, shrinks significantly with heat and moisture.

Which felt is better for kids' crafts?

Acrylic felt is better for kids' projects — it's more affordable (so mistakes don't cost much), available in bright colors, and easy to cut and glue. It's also machine washable, unlike wool felt.

How wide is acrylic felt fabric?

EOVEA acrylic felt comes in a standard 72" width (6 feet), which is wider than most wool felt. This gives you more fabric per yard and reduces waste on larger projects.

Is acrylic felt cheaper than wool felt?

Usually, yes — especially by the roll. EOVEA acrylic felt runs about $8.75 to $16.90 per yard depending on quantity, versus roughly $15 to $40 per yard for wool. Acrylic's 72-inch width also covers more area per yard, lowering the real cost per project.

Can you wash acrylic felt?

Yes. Acrylic felt can be hand washed in cold water and laid flat to dry. Avoid hot water and machine drying, which can distort it. Wool felt should be dry cleaned or spot cleaned, since heat and agitation make it shrink.