Introduction: What Is Faux Fur Fabric by the Yard?
Faux fur fabric by the yard is a synthetic textile designed to mimic the look and feel of real animal fur—without using animal products. Made from fibers like polyester or acrylic, faux fur offers the same plush texture and warmth while being more affordable, cruelty-free, and easier to care for.
Available by the yard, faux fur fabric gives makers full control over yardage, making it ideal for everything from fashion garments and costumes to crafts and home décor projects.
Modern faux fur fabrics have evolved significantly since their introduction in the 1950s. Today’s high-quality faux furs are engineered with advanced fiber technology to closely mimic the look, feel, and movement of natural animal pelts including fox, mink, rabbit, chinchilla, and sheep—all without any animal involvement. The base fabric (backing) is usually a knit or woven polyester, while the pile fibers are made from acrylic, modacrylic, or polyester. This combination creates a fabric that is warm, lightweight, and easy to maintain.
Key Features of Faux Fur Fabric
- Ultra-Soft Texture: Plush pile creates a realistic fur appearance.
- Cruelty-Free: No animals harmed—ethical alternative to real fur.
- Durable & Long-Lasting: Holds shape and softness with proper care.
- Wide Variety of Styles: Long pile, short pile, shaggy, smooth, and patterned options.
- Budget-Friendly: More affordable than real fur with consistent quality.
Beyond these core advantages, faux fur is also hypoallergenic, making it a smart choice for people with sensitivities to animal dander. It resists moths and other pests that commonly damage natural fur. Modern faux fur is remarkably durable; with proper care, a high-quality faux fur garment or throw can last for many years without matting or shedding excessively. Additionally, faux fur is available in an almost unlimited range of colors and patterns, from natural animal tones to vibrant fashion hues that would be impossible with real fur.
Popular Uses for Faux Fur Fabric by the Yard
| Project Type | Why Faux Fur Works Well |
|---|---|
| Coats, Jackets & Vests | Adds warmth, texture, and luxury without heavy weight. |
| Costumes & Cosplay | Perfect for animal costumes, fantasy outfits, and trims. |
| Home Décor | Great for throw pillows, blankets, rugs, and accents. |
| Crafts & Accessories | Ideal for plush toys, scarves, hats, and bags. |
How to Choose the Best Faux Fur Fabric
- Pile Length: Long pile for dramatic looks, short pile for neat finishes.
- Backing Material: Strong knit backing helps prevent tearing.
- Density: Thicker pile feels more luxurious and realistic.
- Color & Pattern: Solids, animal prints, or multi-tone blends.
- Intended Use: Apparel may need softer drape; décor can handle heavier fabric.
Sewing Tips for Faux Fur Fabric
- Cut from the backing side using a craft knife or razor to avoid shedding.
- Shake fabric outdoors after cutting to remove loose fibers.
- Use a longer stitch length to prevent puckering.
- Brush fur away from seams before sewing.
- Finish seams carefully to maintain a clean look.
For a complete walkthrough with step-by-step photos and tips, see our beginner’s guide to sewing faux fur fabric. It covers everything from choosing the right needle to finishing edges like a professional.
Faux Fur vs Real Fur
Faux fur fabric by the yard offers several advantages over real fur. It is more affordable, easier to clean, lightweight, and ethically produced. Real fur requires special care, is more expensive, and raises ethical concerns. Faux fur allows designers and crafters to achieve a luxury look with peace of mind. Learn more about the differences in our detailed faux fur vs real fur comparison guide.
Care & Maintenance
- Spot clean when possible.
- Hand wash or gentle machine wash in cold water.
- Use mild detergent—avoid heat.
- Air dry only; never tumble dry.
- Gently brush with a wide-tooth comb after drying.
For detailed washing instructions, temperature guidelines, and drying tips, read our full faux fur washing and care guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is faux fur fabric warm?Yes, faux fur provides insulation and warmth similar to real fur, depending on pile thickness.
Q2: Does faux fur shed?Some shedding is normal, especially after cutting. Proper sewing and care reduce shedding.
Q3: Can beginners sew faux fur?Absolutely. With patience and the right tools, faux fur is beginner-friendly.
Q4: Is faux fur washable?Yes, but gentle washing and air drying are recommended.
Q5: What projects need faux fur by the yard?Large items like coats, blankets, rugs, and costumes require yardage rather than pre-cut pieces.
Q6: Is faux fur environmentally friendly?While synthetic, its durability and animal-free production make it a preferred ethical choice.
Types of Faux Fur Fabric
Faux fur fabric comes in a wide range of pile lengths and textures, each suited for different applications. Understanding the differences helps you pick the right material for your next project, whether you are sewing a winter coat, decorating your living room, or crafting plush toys.
Short Pile Faux Fur
Short pile faux fur typically has fibers measuring less than one inch in length. The result is a smooth, velvety surface that mimics the look of mink or beaver. Short pile faux fur is ideal for garment linings, trim accents, jacket collars, and lightweight fashion accessories. It is also the easiest type to sew because the shorter fibers produce less bulk at seam lines. When cutting short pile faux fur, you can use standard fabric scissors and a rotary cutter with minimal fiber flyaway.
Medium Pile Faux Fur
Medium pile faux fur sits in the one-to-two-inch fiber range. This category includes many of the most popular faux fur styles: fox-look fabrics, rabbit-like textures, and multi-toned blends. Medium pile works beautifully for coats, vests, pillow covers, and fashion blankets. The pile is long enough to create visible texture and warmth but manageable enough for home sewists. Press seams open on the wrong side and use a pin to gently pull trapped fibers out of seam lines for a professional finish.
Shaggy / Long Pile Faux Fur
Shaggy faux fur features fibers that exceed two inches, sometimes reaching four inches or more. This dramatic texture is prized for statement coats, costume design, rugs, and accent throws. Working with shaggy faux fur requires a few extra steps: always cut from the backing side with a craft knife or razor blade (not scissors) to avoid shearing the pile, and use a walking foot on your sewing machine to feed the thick layers evenly.
Sherpa Faux Fur
Sherpa is a curly-textured faux fur that mimics the look of sheep wool. It is lighter weight than most traditional faux furs and has become a staple in casual outerwear, blankets, and pet beds. Sherpa faux fur is typically knit-backed, making it soft and slightly stretchy, which is perfect for lined hoodies, pullover jackets, and cozy home accessories. Because sherpa is thinner than long pile faux fur, it layers well with other fabrics like polar fleece for extra insulation.
Popular Faux Fur Projects
From the runway to the living room, faux fur fabric inspires a huge variety of creative projects. Here are the most popular categories sewists and crafters explore when they buy faux fur fabric by the yard.
Fashion: Coats, Vests and Accessories
Faux fur coats and vests remain among the most sought-after cold-weather garments. A full-length faux fur coat typically requires four to five yards of 60-inch-wide fabric, while a cropped jacket needs about two and a half yards. Beyond outerwear, faux fur elevates handbags, scarves, headbands, boot cuffs, and ear muffs. Designers increasingly combine faux fur panels with quilted or woven fabrics for a modern mixed-media look. When choosing faux fur for fashion, consider pile direction, drape, and weight. Shorter pile fabrics drape better for tailored silhouettes, while longer piles create a dramatic, oversized aesthetic.
Home Decor: Pillows, Throws and Rugs
Faux fur instantly adds warmth and luxury to any room. Throw pillow covers are one of the quickest projects: cut two squares, sew three sides, insert a pillow form, and close the opening with a hidden zipper or ladder stitch. Faux fur throw blankets make stunning gifts; simply back a panel of faux fur with satin, flannel, or polar fleece fabric and bind the edges. Faux fur area rugs and bench covers bring texture to bedrooms, nurseries, and living spaces with minimal sewing required.
Crafts: Stuffed Animals, Costumes and Cosplay
Craft-grade faux fur is essential for realistic stuffed animals, puppet making, and costume design. Short and medium pile faux furs in animal-print colorways, whether spotted, striped, or solid brown, are perfect for teddy bears, plush bunnies, and character dolls. For Halloween costumes and cosplay, faux fur brings creatures and fantasy characters to life. Many cosplay builders combine faux fur with acrylic felt for structural ears, horns, and tails. For project inspiration, browse our DIY faux fur project ideas.
Pet Accessories
Pet owners love faux fur for blankets, bed liners, and small pet coats. A faux fur pet bed cover adds cushioned warmth that dogs and cats find irresistible. Short pile faux fur is easiest to clean for pet use: simply toss the cover in the wash on a gentle cold cycle and tumble dry on low heat. For small-dog jackets, use a lightweight sherpa or short pile faux fur lined with soft knit fabric for comfort against fur.
Faux Fur vs Other Soft Fabrics
Choosing the right fabric depends on your project requirements. Here is how faux fur compares to two other popular soft fabrics available at EOVEA Fabric.
Faux Fur vs Polar Fleece
Polar fleece is a lightweight, anti-pill synthetic fabric prized for its warmth-to-weight ratio. While both fabrics provide insulation, faux fur offers a dramatically thicker pile, richer texture, and more luxurious appearance. Polar fleece excels for athletic base layers, everyday blankets, and budget-friendly warmth. Faux fur, on the other hand, is the go-to choice when visual impact, texture depth, and a premium look matter most. Many sewists combine the two by using polar fleece as a lining inside a faux fur coat or vest to get the best of both worlds.
Faux Fur vs Acrylic Felt
Acrylic felt is a stiff, non-woven fabric used primarily for crafts, costumes, and decorative projects. Unlike faux fur, felt has no pile; it is smooth and flat. Felt is easier to cut into precise shapes like letters, appliques, and ornaments, and it holds its form without fraying. Faux fur brings softness, dimension, and realism that felt cannot match. For projects like stuffed animals or costumes, many crafters use felt for the structural components (eyes, noses, paws) and faux fur for the body to combine precision with plush texture.
Buying Faux Fur Fabric by the Yard
When shopping for faux fur fabric, buying by the yard gives you the flexibility to purchase exactly the amount you need. Most faux fur fabrics are sold in widths of 58 to 60 inches, meaning one yard gives you approximately 15 square feet of material, which is enough for a throw pillow, a small pet blanket, or trim accents on a jacket.
For larger projects like full-length coats or bedspreads, you may need four to six yards. Ordering from the same dye lot ensures consistent color across all your panels. Always order an extra quarter yard as a buffer for pattern matching and cutting errors.
If you are a designer, crafter, or small business producing multiple items, wholesale faux fur fabric is a cost-effective option. Buying in bulk, typically in bolt quantities of 10 yards or more, significantly reduces your per-yard cost and ensures you have enough material for production runs. Browse the full EOVEA faux fur collection to explore colors, pile lengths, and textures available by the yard or in wholesale quantities.
Related Fabric Guides
Continue your faux fur education with these in-depth resources from EOVEA:
- Faux Fur vs Real Fur Fabric Comparison Guide – Understand the ethical, practical, and cost differences between faux and real fur.
- How to Sew Faux Fur Fabric: Beginner’s Guide – Step-by-step sewing techniques, needle recommendations, and seam finishing tips.
- DIY Faux Fur Projects for Home, Fashion and Gifts – Project ideas and tutorials for every skill level.
- How to Wash and Care for Faux Fur Fabric – Keep your faux fur looking fresh with proper washing and storage advice.
- Shaggy Faux Fur Fabric by the Yard – Everything about long pile faux fur: textures, uses, and styling.
- Shop the Full EOVEA Faux Fur Collection – Browse all colors, pile lengths, and textures.
- Wholesale Fabric Options – Bulk pricing for designers and businesses.
Start Your Next Faux Fur Project Today
Whether you are making a luxurious winter coat, decorating your living room with plush throws, or crafting the perfect stuffed animal, the right faux fur fabric makes all the difference. Shop EOVEA’s faux fur fabric collection to find premium-quality faux fur by the yard in a wide range of colors, pile lengths, and textures. Need larger quantities? Check out our wholesale options for bulk pricing. Visit eoveafabric.com to get started.
Conclusion
Faux fur fabric by the yard is a versatile, stylish, and ethical material perfect for fashion, décor, and crafts. With a wide range of textures and colors, it allows creators to achieve a luxurious look while staying budget-conscious and cruelty-free.
If you're ready to elevate your next project, faux fur fabric is a bold and beautiful choice that delivers both comfort and style.