Wool Jersey
I’ve sourced my wool jersey from two online retailers: Natures Fabrics and Hobby Fabric Store.
I’m a strong wool advocate and many people really don’t understand the wonders of modern wool. I’ve gone running in 100 degree Texas heat in a wool t-shirt and wore the same t-shirt the next day to dance class - it smelled good and looked great. Wool is not just for cold weather, the lighter weight wool excels in keeping you cool, not retaining odor, and looking great without frequent washing. I machine wash my wool t-shirts about once every 3 months or longer, and I put them in the dryer and they do just fine. While some wool will felt, the wool I tend to buy will not. Keep reading to learn more and find some of this amazing fabric.
Why We Partner with Nature’s Fabrics
When I began working with wool jersey, Nature’s Fabrics quickly became my go-to source - and they remain a cornerstone of my workshop studio today.
What sets Nature’s Fabrics apart is their radical transparency. They provide some of the most technically accurate and honest fabric descriptions in the industry. I recall an instance where a fabric I ordered showed unexpected torque after laundering; when I brought it to their attention, they promptly updated the product description to reflect that characteristic. That level of responsiveness and integrity is rare, and it is exactly why I trust them implicitly for my own projects and for those of my students.
Their catalog offers an impressive range of weights and textures that suit the demands of an active lifestyle:
Performance & Daily Wear: Their superfine jersey is perfect for lightweight, breathable t-shirts that transition seamlessly from the gym to the dance floor.
Technical Versatility: I’ve used their sweater-weight wools for base layers that provide excellent thermal regulation during long days on the ski slopes.
Quality & Ease: Across my various projects, their fabrics have proven to be exceptionally durable, maintaining their shape and quality through machine washing and drying.
Whether you are looking for a reliable medium-weight wool for your next ballroom piece or a high-performance knit for your next adventure, you are in excellent hands. I am proud to have Nature’s Fabrics as the Official Wool Jersey Textile Sponsor for our upcoming Tailored at Sea: An Apparel Voyage, and I encourage you to explore their collection for your next make.
Hobby Fabric Store
In searching for some less expensive wool jersey I found this store. I’ve purchase a large variety from them and all of it has been great. One downside to this store is that you can only by in yard increments, i.e. 1 yard or 2 yards, not 1.5 yards. The lightweight merino wool tends to go for under $25/yard, medium weight for around $32/yard, and some fun striped jersey for $21/yard. All of the fabrics I’ve purchased go great through the washer and dryer with no issues, and they’re colorfast so I can mix and match colors in the t-shirts I make. I’ve also made some shirts cut on the bias and while they did distort some as expected (since they were cut on the bias), overall they retain the shape plenty well enough to drape well.
