Wool Fabric Yardage Guide
Wool is premium, warm, and requires careful handling. Width is generous (54–60 inches), but felting and shrinkage are real risks if you wash incorrectly.
Wool Widths by Type
| Wool Type | Width | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Wool suiting | 58–60" | Jackets, trousers, skirts |
| Wool crepe | 54–58" | Dresses, blouses |
| Wool flannel | 54–60" | Jackets, trousers, blankets |
| Wool felt | 36–72" | Crafts, hats, applique |
| Wool coating | 54–60" | Coats, outerwear |
| Wool upholstery | 54" | Furniture, cushions |
Shrinkage and Felting
Wool shrinks 3–5% and can felt (mat permanently) if exposed to hot water, agitation, or dryer heat. Once felted, the damage is irreversible.
- Most wool garment fabric is dry-clean only. Buy 5% extra for shrinkage margin.
- If you plan to pre-shrink, steam-press the fabric or have it professionally treated — do not machine wash.
- Wool felt (for crafts) is already felted and will not shrink further.
Yardage Advantages of Wool
Wool’s wide widths (58–60 inches) mean you need less yardage than the same garment in 45-inch cotton. A medium jacket in 60-inch wool needs about 2.5 yards versus 3 yards in 45-inch cotton. Plug your measurements into the garment yardage tool with your exact wool width.
Wool for Upholstery
Wool upholstery fabric is extremely durable, naturally flame-resistant, and repels stains. It is typically 54 inches wide, so use the upholstery calculator at standard 54-inch settings.
Using the same wool across garments and upholstery? You can combine both totals so the entire project comes from the same bolt.