Wool Wadding: Choosing the Right Wool Filling for Your Project

Choosing the right wool filling depends on what you are making. A quilt or upholstered surface generally calls for sheet wadding that can be laid out evenly, while cushions, dolls and toys are often easier to fill with loose or carded wool.

Wool Valley offers several types of wool filling for these different uses, including 100% wool wadding, Super Puff, Carded Wool, 32 Micron Downs Wool and Wool Cloud Balls. Each option has its own format and characteristics, so looking at the product specifications can help you choose a suitable filling for your project.

What Is Wool Wadding?

Wool wadding, also called batting, is wool formed into a sheet or web. Wool Valley lists its natural wadding for quilting, upholstery, bedding, futons, bolsters, dog beds, saddle making and craft projects.

You can explore Wool Valley's wool wadding range to compare the available sheet wadding options.

Two specifications are particularly useful when comparing sheet wadding: GSM and loft. GSM means grams per square metre and indicates the weight of the material. Loft refers to its thickness or fullness. They measure different things, so a higher GSM does not automatically mean thicker wadding.

Wool Valley's 100% wool wadding range includes 200gsm, 350gsm, 500gsm and 1000gsm options. There are also 425gsm products, including Super Puff and Natural Upholstery Wool Wadding.

Sheet Wadding for Quilts and Upholstery

Sheet wadding works well when you need an even layer across a larger surface. It is easier to position than loose filling for projects such as quilts and upholstery.

Wool Valley also offers blended options, including 50/50 Wool/Cotton Wadding and 60/40 Wool/Poly Wadding. Some products come in different lofts, giving you flexibility over the thickness and finished feel of the project.

Natural Upholstery 100% Wool Wadding

Natural Upholstery 100% Wool Wadding is a 425gsm wadding made from local Victorian wool. It is more heavily needled than Super Puff, giving it a firmer structure suited to upholstery and other applications.

It is listed for natural upholstery, small projects, felting and thick quilts. The wadding is available in 1.6m and 2.1m widths.

Super Puff 100% Wool

Super Puff 100% Wool is also 425gsm and is approximately 1 inch thick and 2.1 metres wide. Wool Valley lists it for doonas, upholstery and couches, futons, van insulation, felting, dolls and thicker quilts.

It is made from a mix of Wool Valley's own organic wool and locally sourced Victorian wool and is described as untreated. Because untreated wool can felt when washed, Wool Valley recommends spot cleaning, seasonal airing and dry cleaning where appropriate.

Carded and Loose Wool for Shaped Projects

Loose and carded wool can be easier to handle when filling an item piece by piece. This makes these formats useful for handmade dolls, toys, cushions, bolsters and other projects where you want to adjust the amount of filling as you work.

Carded Wool

Carded Wool is listed for pillows, bolsters, dog beds, felting and saddles. It can also be separated into smaller pieces for handmade dolls and similar craft projects.

Unlike sheet wadding, the carded format can be handled in smaller amounts, which is useful when working on shaped or smaller items.

32 Micron Downs Wool

If you need wool stuffing for toys, 32 Micron Downs Wool is one of Wool Valley's options specifically listed for toy stuffing. It is Australian Downs Wool with a springy texture and is also listed for bolsters, dog beds, saddles and craft projects.

It is available in 500g, 900g, 2kg, 5kg and 8kg packs, allowing you to choose a quantity that matches the size of your project.

Wool Cloud Balls

Wool Cloud Balls are made from 100% wool and are designed for cushions, bean bags, toys, furniture and upholstery. They are made in New Zealand and available in 400g, 900g, 2kg, 5kg and 8kg packs.

Their loose ball format makes them convenient for projects where filling can be added gradually and adjusted as you work.

Choosing Wool Filling for Cushions

The filling inside a cushion affects how it feels and how full it looks. If you plan to buy wool cushions, it is worth considering the filling as well as the outer fabric, particularly if softness, fullness or support is important to you.

For handmade cushions, loose wool can be added in stages. This makes it easier to control the finished level of fullness rather than committing to a fixed amount from the beginning.

Wool Valley also offers Organic Wool Pillows and Organic Pillow wool refills for customers looking for ready-made wool-filled bedding or replacement filling. You can explore the Organic Wool Pillows range for available options.

Wool Wadding and Filling Options at a Glance

Filling / Product	Typical Uses	Format
100% Wool Wadding	Quilting, upholstery, bedding	Sheet
Natural Upholstery 100% Wool Wadding	Natural upholstery, thick quilts, felting	425gsm sheet
Super Puff 100% Wool	Doonas, upholstery, couches, futons, dolls, thicker quilts	425gsm sheet
Carded Wool	Dolls, pillows, bolsters, felting	Carded wool
32 Micron Downs Wool	Toy stuffing, bolsters, dog beds, saddles, crafts	Loose wool
Wool Cloud Balls	Cushions, bean bags, toys, furniture, upholstery	Loose wool balls

What to Check Before Ordering

Once you know whether your project needs sheet, carded or loose wool, a few practical details can help narrow down the options.

GSM and Loft

For sheet wadding, check the GSM and loft listed for the individual product. GSM describes the weight per square metre, while loft gives an indication of thickness and fullness.

For example, Wool Valley's 100% wool wadding range includes 200gsm, 350gsm, 500gsm and 1000gsm options. The 350gsm and 500gsm ranges include high- and low-loft choices.

The low-loft 350gsm wadding is noted as suitable for stretching over edges where a smoother finish is required.

Fibre Composition

Not every product in the range is 100% wool, so check the fibre composition of the specific product you are considering.

Wool Valley offers:

• 50/50 Wool/Cotton Wadding
• 60/40 Wool/Poly Wadding
• Extra Thick 60/40 Wool/Reclaimed Polyester Wadding – 290gsm
• 100% wool wadding in several weights

If your project requires 100% wool, make sure the product specification matches that requirement.

Wool Origin

Wool Valley uses wool sourced from Victoria and New Zealand. The company notes that New Zealand provides access to springier wool in wider rolls.

For example, Natural Upholstery 100% Wool Wadding is made from local Victorian wool, while Wool Cloud Balls are made in New Zealand. Product descriptions provide the most useful information when you need to check the origin of a particular filling.

Width and Pack Size

For sheet wadding, the available width matters, particularly when covering a larger area. Natural Upholstery Wool Wadding is available in 1.6m and 2.1m widths, while Super Puff is 2.1 metres wide.

Loose fillings are sold by weight. 32 Micron Downs Wool comes in sizes from 500g to 8kg, while Wool Cloud Balls are available from 400g to 8kg.

Choose a pack size based on the scale of your project and how much filling you expect to use.

Product Care

Care requirements vary between products, so check the individual product listing before cleaning or washing.

For Super Puff 100% Wool, Wool Valley advises against washing because the untreated wool may felt. Its listed care options include spot cleaning, seasonal airing in the sun and dry cleaning where appropriate.

Final Thoughts

The best wool filling depends on the project. Sheet wadding is a practical option for quilts and larger surfaces, while carded and loose wool are easier to work with when filling cushions, dolls, toys and other shaped items.

Before choosing a product, consider the format you need, along with GSM or loft where relevant, fibre composition, width or pack size and care requirements. Wool Valley's range includes both sheet waddings and loose fillings, so you can select a format that suits the way you plan to make or fill your project.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is wool wadding suitable for quilts?

Yes. Wool Valley lists its natural wadding range for quilting, with 100% wool options available in several weights and lofts. The most suitable option will depend on the thickness and finish you want for the quilt.

What wool is best for stuffing toys?

Wool Valley specifically lists 32 Micron Downs Wool for toy stuffing. Carded Wool can also be separated into smaller pieces for handmade dolls and similar craft projects.

Can wool wadding be used for upholstery?

Yes. Natural Upholstery 100% Wool Wadding and Super Puff 100% Wool are both listed for upholstery applications. They have different structures, so their individual specifications are useful when choosing between them.

Is all wool wadding 100% wool?

No. Wool Valley sells both 100% wool products and blends, including wool/cotton and wool/poly waddings. Check the individual product listing for the exact fibre composition.

Does GSM tell you how thick wool wadding is?

Not by itself. GSM measures weight per square metre, while loft relates to thickness and fullness. Looking at both specifications gives you a clearer picture of the wadding's characteristics.

How much filling do I need for a cushion or toy?

The amount depends on the size and shape of the item and how full or firm you want it to be. With loose filling, you can add wool gradually and adjust the amount as you work.