The one question I get asked the most is where do I get my wool felt. I thought I'd write a post about just that and hopefully get feedback from you guys and then have it all in one spot where I can send everybody. For whatever reason nice wool and wool felt seem to be specialty items and they aren't readily available in most fabric stores (although JoAnn Fabrics does carry a few colors, their site says it's 100% wool but I seem to remember that I've only found wool/acrylic blends there). The best places for wool felt seem to be quilt shops and sites that cater to doll makers, especially places that sell Waldorf doll supplies like the place I send people to over in my f.a.q., A Child's Dream Come True. I've bought both the Spanish and the Holland felt from them and they're both really nice. Purl Soho also has beautiful wool felt.
Besides using wool felt for my dolls and toys I also use wool. It is softer and lighter weight than the felt and is just dreamy. I think the first wool I bought was one of these Marcus Brothers wool bundles and it was one of best craft purchases I ever made. Most quilt shops sell wool by the yard and now and then I have the sense to pick up a few colors when I'm in the shops. But now with even less time to make the trek to the quilt shops I'm trying to buy some online and wishing I'd paid more attention to what it was they had at the stores. I'm thinking maybe this? Moda Wool? But this site says it's unfelted and I'm not sure what that means.
Another wool that bears mentioning is the diy wool. Pick up some 100% wool sweaters from the thrift store and wash them on hot and throw them in the dryer and voila. Thick, fuzzy, awesome wool with the same great no-ravel edges. It makes awesome huggable soft toys.
Then there's wool stuffing. I know many people use it and it sounds wonderful. I still haven't tried it out myself. I use polyfill that comes in little puffs and I find it so easy to work with (and cheap) and I've just stuck with it. They sell wool stuffing most places they sell materials for Waldorf dolls as well but it's pretty pricey. Mimi was writing about a source for wool stuffing that sounded interesting. Might need to give that a try.
So that's what I know about wool. It's not much, hopefully it's some help. Please, if you have a favorite source you'd like to share I'd love to hear about it!
