Wool felt and wool blends

[emelsea]

Is the difference really apparent? I usually buy 100% wool felt, and there is such a price difference between that and the wool blends (20% wool/80% rayon or 35 wool/65 rayon) that I'm curious about what the blends are like.

I've always held this belief that anything BUT 100% wool would feel like the acrylic stuff you can buy for $.10 a sheet.

I use the felt for crowns and other crafts.

[iowaorganic]

Let me preface this by saying I have no idea- I freaked on the price by the sheet a long time ago.

I have just been buying up wool sweaters at goodwill or other thrift/charity shops and felting those down- which is so so very much cheaper than even the blends in the sheets. And I end up with nice sper thick felt!

[emelsea]

Originally Posted by iowaorganic

Let me preface this by saying I have no idea- I freaked on the price by the sheet a long time ago.

I have just been buying up wool sweaters at goodwill or other thrift/charity shops and felting those down- which is so so very much cheaper than even the blends in the sheets. And I end up with nice sper thick felt!

I've done this, and the material always ends up so thick! I like to work with a thinner felt.

I've tried felting the sweaters less, but then it doesn't hold it's shape as well as I'd like.

I was at Salvation Army yesterday looking for cashmere sweaters, and I saw some that were thin, "Italian" merino. Is this what everyone felts? I usually grab the heavier wool sweaters.

[E.V. Lowi]

I love the 100% wool felt, but if cost was the main issue, I would go with the 70% wool/30%rayon, personally. I wouldn't use a felt with more rayon that than. The main complaint for me is that it tears apart and pills so easily. !00% wool felt is so much more durable. I think the more rayon, the more flammable it is, too which is a major consideration with children's products.

http://www.weirdollsandcrafts.com/wo...l-felt-70.html

I love this stuff. It's thicker than the dutch wool felt and not as durable, but it's soft and east to sew, comes in beautiful, mottled colors-
http://www.weirdollsandcrafts.com/wo...lant-dyed.html

Here's a bamboo felt I'd like to try sometime-
http://www.weirdollsandcrafts.com/wo...mboo-felt.html

[Cherryblsm]

I don't have any 100% wool to compare to except for the really thick stuff but I do have 20-35% wool felt and that still is even way better and different than the acrylic felt. More sturdier and so far I haven't noticed pilling but not super soft unless washed. I would say try it. Most times they carry 20-35% at Joann fabric to try out. Not a lot of colors( usually 1 or 2) but at least you could try it. Or try ebay.