Faux Fur vs Sherpa: Which Fabric Is Better for Your Project?

February 1, 2026

If you're shopping for a cozy, plush fabric for blankets, jackets, or home decor, you've probably come across both faux fur and sherpa. They look similar at first glance, but these two fabrics are quite different in texture, construction, and best uses. In this guide, we'll compare faux fur vs sherpa side by side so you can pick the right fabric for your project.

What Is Faux Fur Fabric?

Faux fur fabric is a synthetic textile designed to mimic the look and feel of real animal fur. It's made from polyester, acrylic, or modacrylic fibers attached to a knit backing. Faux fur features a distinct long pile (typically 1–3 inches) that creates a luxurious, fluffy appearance.

Pile length: 1–3 inches (long and flowing)
Backing: Knit fabric base
Appearance: Mimics real fur — glossy, textured, high-end look
Weight: Medium to heavy
Common fibers: Polyester, acrylic, modacrylic

What Is Sherpa Fabric?

Sherpa fabric (also called sherpa fleece or faux shearling) is a synthetic knit fabric with a short, bumpy pile on one side that resembles sheep's wool or shearling. The other side is typically smooth knit. It's named after the Sherpa people of Nepal, who are known for wearing sheepskin garments in extreme cold.

Pile length: Very short (1/4–1/2 inch), curly and textured
Backing: Smooth knit (often used as the exterior side)
Appearance: Resembles sheep's wool — soft, natural, casual look
Weight: Medium
Common fibers: Polyester (100%)

Faux Fur vs Sherpa: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Faux Fur	Sherpa
Pile Length	Long (1–3 inches)	Short (1/4–1/2 inch)
Texture	Smooth, silky, flowing	Bumpy, curly, wool-like
Appearance	Luxury fur look	Natural shearling look
Warmth	Excellent (thick pile traps heat)	Very Good (dense but thinner)
Weight	Heavier	Lighter
Softness	Very soft (silky)	Very soft (plush)
Shedding	More shedding initially	Minimal shedding
Ease of Sewing	Harder (thick pile, slippery)	Easier (shorter pile, less bulk)
Price per Yard	$$–$$$	$–$$
Machine Washable	Yes (gentle cycle, cold)	Yes (gentle cycle, cold)
Stretch	Minimal	Slight (knit backing)
Drape	Low (stiff, structured)	Moderate (more flexible)
Breathability	Low	Moderate

Which Is Warmer: Faux Fur or Sherpa?

Faux fur is warmer. Its long, dense pile creates a thicker insulating layer that traps more body heat. This makes faux fur the better choice for winter blankets, outerwear, and cold-weather accessories.

Sherpa is still warm — warmer than standard fleece — but its shorter pile doesn't insulate as heavily. This makes sherpa more versatile for layering and for climates where extreme warmth isn't needed.

Which Is Better for Blankets?

Both fabrics make excellent blankets, but for different reasons:

Choose Faux Fur Blankets When:

You want a luxury statement piece for your bedroom or living room
Maximum warmth is the priority (winter blankets, cold climates)
You're making a gift blanket that needs to look high-end
You want a heavy, weighted-blanket feel

Choose Sherpa Blankets When:

You want a casual, cozy everyday blanket
The blanket needs to be lightweight and portable (car, camping, travel)
You're making a reversible blanket (sherpa on one side, fleece or cotton on the other)
Budget is a factor — sherpa is more affordable

Pro tip: For the ultimate cozy blanket, pair faux fur on one side with polar fleece on the other. This combination gives you luxury softness on top and smooth warmth underneath.

Which Is Better for Clothing?

Garment	Best Fabric	Why
Winter jacket lining	Sherpa	Lighter weight, less bulk, easier to sew into garments
Fur coat or vest	Faux Fur	Authentic fur look, luxurious drape
Hood trim or cuffs	Faux Fur	Long pile creates dramatic accent
Pullover or hoodie lining	Sherpa	Comfortable, breathable, not too heavy
Boot linings	Sherpa	Resembles traditional shearling, fits inside shoes
Fashion accessories (scarves, bags)	Faux Fur	Eye-catching texture, statement look

Which Is Better for Home Decor?

Throw pillows: Faux fur wins — the long pile creates an instant luxury upgrade to any couch or bed
Bed throws: Both work well. Faux fur for glamour, sherpa for everyday comfort
Pet beds: Sherpa is better — easier to wash, less shedding, more durable
Nursery items: Sherpa is safer — short pile reduces loose fiber risk for infants
Photography props: Faux fur wins — dramatic texture photographs beautifully

Sewing Tips for Faux Fur and Sherpa

Sewing Faux Fur

Use a rotary cutter on the backing only — avoid cutting through the pile with scissors
Use a walking foot on your sewing machine to prevent shifting
Increase stitch length to 3.5–4mm
After sewing, use a pin to pull trapped fibers out of the seam
Expect some shedding during cutting — work in an area that's easy to clean

Sewing Sherpa

Sherpa is easier to sew than faux fur due to its shorter pile
Use a universal or ballpoint needle (size 80/12 or 90/14)
Pin within seam allowances to avoid visible pin marks in the pile
A walking foot is helpful but not strictly necessary
Press seams with a cool iron on the smooth side only

Care and Washing

Both faux fur and sherpa are machine washable, but they require gentle handling to maintain their texture:

Wash: Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent. No bleach.
Dry: Tumble dry on NO HEAT or lowest setting. High heat will melt or flatten the fibers permanently.
Revive flattened pile: Brush with a wide-tooth comb or pet brush after washing
Fabric softener: Avoid — it coats fibers and reduces softness over time
Storage: Hang or fold loosely. Don't compress in airtight bags for long periods.

Price Comparison

Sherpa is generally 30–50% less expensive than faux fur. This is because:

Sherpa uses less fiber (shorter pile = less material)
Sherpa is faster to manufacture
Faux fur requires more complex pile construction and finishing

For budget-conscious projects, sherpa offers excellent warmth and softness at a lower price point. For projects where appearance and luxury matter most, faux fur is worth the investment.

Shop Faux Fur Fabric at EOVEA

EOVEA carries premium faux fur fabric by the yard in multiple colors and textures. All faux fur is sold with continuous cuts (no seams) and ships fast from the USA.

Making a cozy blanket? Pair faux fur with our anti-pill polar fleece for the ultimate two-sided throw. Need bulk quantities for production? Visit our wholesale page for volume pricing. Free shipping on orders over $150.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is faux fur warmer than sherpa?

Yes. Faux fur's long, dense pile traps more air and body heat than sherpa's shorter pile. Faux fur is the better choice when maximum warmth is the priority.

Can I use sherpa and faux fur together in one project?

Absolutely. A popular combination is faux fur on the exterior (for appearance) with sherpa or fleece as the lining (for comfort and reduced bulk). This works great for jackets, vests, and reversible blankets.

Does faux fur shed more than sherpa?

Yes, especially when new. Faux fur's long fibers are more prone to shedding during cutting and the first few washes. Sherpa sheds minimally due to its short, tightly curled pile.

Which is easier to sew: faux fur or sherpa?

Sherpa is significantly easier to sew. Its shorter pile creates less bulk at seams and doesn't shift as much under the presser foot. Faux fur requires a walking foot, longer stitches, and more careful handling.

Is sherpa the same as fleece?

No. Sherpa has a bumpy, textured pile that mimics sheep's wool, while fleece has a smooth, even surface. Sherpa is typically warmer and thicker than standard polar fleece, but both are made from polyester.