Wool Wadding for Upholstery, Furniture and Home Projects

The right wool wadding depends almost entirely on what you're making.

A chair being reupholstered, a handmade futon and a dog bed all want something different. Weight, loft and width all change how the finished piece sits, so the material really does need to match the job.

We stock wadding from 200gsm to 1000gsm, plus Super Puff, loose and carded wool and a few selected blends. Different lofts and roll widths across the range, so you can choose properly rather than just reaching for the heaviest thing on the shelf.

Upholstery and Furniture Restoration

In upholstery, wadding sits between the padding and the outer fabric. How much space you've got, the shape of the piece and the finish you're after all feed into the choice.

The 200gsm 100% Wool Wadding is our workhorse. Local Victorian wool.  Available in 1.5m, 2.1m and 2.4m widths. It is a great Dacron replacement for that final layer before the fabric and it also handles smaller projects and quilts.

If the piece needs a heavier layer, the 1000gsm 100% Wool Wadding is made in Australia and comes either as high-loft wadding or as a denser, felt-like pad. That gives you a choice between a fuller layer and a firmer one.

The 425gsm Upholstery 100% Wool Wadding is worth knowing about too, same weight as the superpuff  but with a low loft, it stretches nicely over edges when you want some padding and a smooth finish.

Restoring an older chair or sofa? We also have coir sheets, which are like a firm foam, but they are also a natural alternative for restoration and work well with wool.

Dog Beds and Loose Filling

Depending on what sort of dog bed you are making, whether it is a loose-filled cushion or a flatter bed. Wool is a great option, as it lets your dog bed breathe and is naturally moisture-wicking without the risk of mould.

For a flat bed, layers of superpuff wool works well and even in conjunction with the coir sheet.

For a fluffier cushion option, the 32 micron would be my go-to. If you want a smoother outer layer over the fluff, just make an internal bag with upholstery wool.

Working with a cover you already have? Take the internal measurements to help calculate how much wool you need. Normally 5kg is enough.

Futons

Futons need enough filling to be comfortable while still being something you can fold and move.

Our SuperPuff 100% Wool Wadding is roughly an inch thick at 425gsm, in a 2.1m width. It's made for futons, doonas and thicker quilts, and it adds noticeable volume.

Measure the futon and sides to work out how much you will need. The superpuff comes in 2.1m roll width and can be stretched down the sides.

Craft and Felting

Smaller projects usually don't want furniture weight.

Our Carded wool is often used as core wool in felting and toy filling. It is the go-to for schools and felters.

The 200gsm 100% Wool Wadding is unbleached with no polyester scrim, in 1.5m, 2.1m and 2.4m widths. This is great for the start of flat felt projects.

If your project needs a bit more substance, the 425gsm Natural Upholstery Wadding or the SuperPuff also works well for felting.

GSM, Loft, Micron and Width

Four specifications do most of the work, and they're worth understanding before you compare products.

• GSM is grams per square metre, so it tells you the weight of the material. Our 100% wool wadding runs from 200gsm to 1000gsm depending on the product.
• Loft is thickness and fullness. Low loft sits flatter, high loft gives you more volume.
• Width is the roll width, ranging from around 1.2m to 2.4m across the range.
• Micron is the thickness of the fibre strand. A fine 15-21 micron is usually used in clothes, whereas a coarser micron is springier and is best for bedding, felting and upholstery.

This will help you work out what's best for your project. 

Choosing Natural Wool Filling

We have a range of 100% wool fillings in different microns alongside our raw Australian cotton. We also have wool tops for spinning and dyeing.

Sheet Wadding

Sheet wadding gives you one continuous layer, which is what you want for even coverage across a big surface.

Many quilters love our blended fibres, but also our pure natural scrim-free ones too. 

Still not sure? The Wadding Sample Pack lets you handle the different types side by side before you order a full roll. Cheapest mistake you'll ever avoid.

Final Thoughts

Upholstery, furniture restoration, dog beds, futons, craft. The weights, lofts and formats all exist because those jobs genuinely need different things.

Start with the item you're making, then check the specifications against its dimensions and construction. GSM, loft, width and fibre composition will tell you almost everything you need.

Our range runs from 200gsm through to 1000gsm, with SuperPuff and loose and carded wool, Our blends are Wool/Cotton and Wool/Poly. Larger rolls and wholesale quantities are available for bigger jobs, and we also carry other natural materials like coir and natural rubber sheets.

If you're weighing up two options and can't pick, tell us what you're making. We'd rather spend a minute on that than have you order the wrong roll.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is wool wadding used for?

Upholstery, bedding, quilting, felting and all sorts of handmade projects. Anywhere you need a soft layer with some body to it.

Which wadding is best for upholstery?

The 200gsm 100% Wool Wadding is great Dacron replacement; the next choice would be our Upholstery wool. It's more needled than Super Puff, so slightly more stable to work with and good for stretching around corners. The ultimate would be the 1000gsm as it has volume and loft.

What does low loft mean?

A flatter profile. Useful where space is tight, and the low-loft options stretch over edges nicely for a smooth finish. Also good for ironing boards.

What does high loft mean?

More thickness and a fuller profile. Better where you want body and volume rather than a tight finish.

What GSM options do you have?

Our 100% wool range covers 200gsm through to 1000gsm, depending on the product.

Do you sell wool blends?

Yes. Alongside the 100% wool options, there's a 50/50 Wool/Cotton Wadding and a 60/40 Wool/Poly Wadding.

What is carded wool?

100% wool processed into a light, fluffy filling you can shape and distribute by hand. Ideal for toy fill, pillows, bolsters and felting projects.

Can wool wadding be used for felting?

It can. For a flatter felting project both the 200gsm 100% Wool Wadding and the 425gsm Natural Upholstery Wadding work well. For core wool, the carded is the best.

Can I order a sample first?

Yes, and it's the smart move. The Wadding Sample Pack lets you compare the different types in your hands before ordering a larger quantity.