Wool Fabric

Wool is one of the most rewarding fibres to sew, prized for its warmth, structure and natural resilience. This collection brings together the full range, from worsted suiting and heavy melton coating to soft boiled wool and luxury Italian wool blends with cashmere and alpaca.

Because it covers several very different fabrics, the easiest approach is to choose by the garment you're making. Order a sample to check weight and handle before you commit.

Wool is a natural fibre valued for warmth, durability and the way it holds a shape, which is why it's the traditional choice for tailoring and outerwear. This is a broad collection covering many different wool fabrics, so the most useful thing is to match the type to what you're making rather than think of wool as a single cloth. Wool is also naturally flame retardant, which makes it a practical choice for soft furnishings and upholstery as well as clothing. Our range covers British and Italian wools, including a selection of wool tartan.

Which wool for which garment?

Suiting wool: finer worsted weaves with a smooth finish, ideal for tailored trousers, blazers and skirts.
Coating and melton: heavier, denser wools that hold structure, suited to coats and jackets.
Wool crepe: a softer, slightly textured weave with good drape for dresses and relaxed tailoring.
Boiled wool: a felted, non-fraying cloth that's warm and easy to sew for jackets and cardigans.

Pure wool and wool blends

The collection includes both pure wool fabrics and blends. Some are mixed with cashmere or alpaca for extra softness, others with a little elastane for stretch, or with synthetic fibres for easier care and a lower price. To see fabrics made from a single fibre, use the 100% Yarn Content filter and select Yes. Always check the product page for the exact composition.

Sewing and caring for wool

Wool presses beautifully, which is part of what makes it so satisfying to tailor. Use steam and a pressing cloth, and support collars, lapels and front edges with a suitable interfacing. Most tailoring wools are best dry-cleaned, though some, particularly boiled wool and washable blends, can be hand washed, so follow the care guidance on the individual product page.

What is the difference between wool coating and wool suiting?

Suiting wools are finer and smoother, woven for tailored trousers, blazers and skirts that need a crisp finish. Coating wools are heavier and denser, made to hold structure and keep you warm in coats and jackets. The weight quoted on the product page is the clearest way to tell them apart.

What weight of wool do I need for a coat?

Coats generally call for a heavier coating or melton wool that holds its shape, while trousers and tailored skirts use a lighter suiting weight. If you're unsure, check the weight on the product page and order a sample, as handling the cloth is the best way to judge whether it suits your pattern.

Is wool fabric itchy?

It depends on the fibre and finish. Finer worsted wools and blends with cashmere or alpaca feel softer against the skin, while coarser, more rustic wools can feel scratchier. Lining a garment solves most comfort concerns. A sample is the best way to judge the handle for yourself.

Can you wash wool fabric?

Many tailoring wools are best dry-cleaned to protect their finish, but some wools and washable blends, including boiled wool, can be hand washed. Always follow the care guidance on the individual product page, and pre-treat the fabric the same way you intend to care for the finished garment.

What is worsted wool?

Worsted wool is made from longer, combed fibres spun into a smooth, fine yarn, which gives a crisp surface and good durability. It's the classic choice for tailored suiting because it presses sharply and wears well. Woollen fabrics, by contrast, are softer and more textured.

Wool Fabric

Which wool for which garment?

Pure wool and wool blends

Sewing and caring for wool

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Wool Fabric

Which wool for which garment?

Pure wool and wool blends

Sewing and caring for wool

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