Wool Suitings Fabric Care Guide
At Fabworks, our fine wool suiting fabrics are sourced as surplus and deadstock from a variety of suppliers and mills, woven using different wool types, blends, and constructions. As a result, individual fabrics and finished garments may require slightly different approaches to care.
Due to the nature of buying surplus and deadstock, these fabrics often arrive without detailed mill-provided care instructions. While we do not always receive full composition or washing guidance, we draw on our experience working with fine wool textiles to offer best-practice advice to help you care for and preserve your fabric. All guidance provided, online or by our team, is intended as a helpful reference rather than a guarantee. You can learn more about how we source our deadstock fabrics by clicking here.
Please use this page as a general guide to caring for your wool suiting fabrics. Consider how you treat your most prized tailored garments: they are not routinely placed in the washing machine, but refreshed, aired, and cleaned thoughtfully. Your wool fabrics deserve the same care, allowing them to maintain their structure, handle, and longevity.
Wool suiting fabrics are prized for their structure, resilience, and natural performance qualities. With the right care, they will retain their shape, handle, and appearance for many years.
Laundering
For most fine wool suitings, dry cleaning is recommended, particularly for tailored garments. Washing wool can lead to shrinkage, distortion, or changes in texture. Wool benefits greatly from airing between wears and gentle steaming to refresh the fibres and release creases.
Preparation for Sewing
We do advise caring for your fabric prior to sewing, but only if you will need to repeat this process when your sewing project is complete. If no post-sewing laundry is required, then neither is the pre-sewing laundry. Some natural fibres are prone to shrinkage, and a fabric's properties may change once washed by you.
If you intend to pre-launder/treat the fabric do this before cutting. Use the same laundry method here that you plan to use once sewing is complete.
Dry Cleaning: Use a dry cleaning facility for a water-free and safe laundering process. The safest and most appropriate option for caring for wool fabrics.
Washing Machine: Some wool fabrics can be laundered in your domestic washing machine at home. Use a wool-friendly detergent, on an appropriate cycle (Wool or Delicates). We suggest conducting a wash test first, by cutting a small sample piece of fabric and measuring its dimensions. Wash this sample piece the way that you would expect to wash this type of fabric, as if it were a garment. Once the machine’s cycle has finished, leave to dry naturally. When dry, measure the size of the sample again and compare the size to see if any shrinkage has occurred. Make allowances for washing the remaining length of fabric. This process is not recommended for loosely woven fabrics.
Sink of water: More of a rinse than a launder. Fill a sink with cold water and add a small amount of wool-friendly detergent. Submerge the fabric and gently press it under the water. Do not rub, scrub, or wring. Let it soak for 5–10 minutes. Rinse in clean cold water, press out excess moisture, and lay flat on a towel to air-dry away from heat or direct sunlight
For very open/loosely woven/knitted fabrics we do not advise washing as these fibres are prone to severe shrinkage and would not be expected to be laundered once made up as garments. If you feel the need to wash such fabrics, we do stress that you wash a small sample sized piece first. We strongly advise taking extra care when handling new fabrics, Fabworks is not liable for any damage caused once it is the possession of the customer.
Refreshing & Odour Removal
Wool is naturally odour-resistant and often benefits from airing rather than washing.
- Hang garments in fresh air to refresh between wears.
- Use a clothes steamer to remove light creases and revive fibres.
- Avoid direct heat or heavy steam pressure.
Pressing & Ironing
- Use a low to medium heat with steam.
- Always press from the reverse side or use a pressing cloth.
- Do not stretch the fabric while warm.
Storage
- Store garments on supportive hangers or folded carefully.
- Allow space between garments to prevent crushing.
- Use breathable garment bags for long-term storage.
- Protect from moths using natural deterrents such as cedar or lavender.
Proper care will allow wool suiting fabrics to age beautifully, developing character while maintaining their tailored elegance.
We encourage careful handling of all wool suiting fabrics. Please note that Fabworks cannot be held responsible for any damage once fabrics are in the possession of the customer.
What Is Wool Suiting Fabric?
Wool suiting fabrics are the foundation of classic tailoring and refined everyday wear. Traditionally woven from fine wool fibres, sometimes blended other natural yarns, these fabrics offer a beautiful balance of structure, drape, resilience and comfort that make them ideal for tailored jackets, trousers, skirts, dresses and more. Wool’s natural elasticity and wrinkle resistance help garments hold shape and look polished even after extended wear, while its inherent breathability and performance qualities keep them comfortable across seasons.
Suiting isn't just for Suits!
What makes wool suiting truly special is its ability to balance form and comfort: it holds shape without feeling stiff, drapes with elegance, regulates temperature across seasons, and resists creasing in everyday wear.
Depending on weight and weave, wool suiting works beautifully for relaxed blazers, softly tailored jackets, waistcoats, and lightweight coats. It is equally well suited to trousers, culottes, skirts, and shirt-style dresses where a little structure enhances the silhouette without sacrificing comfort.
Many makers also choose wool suiting for contemporary, everyday pieces such as co-ords, pinafores, wrap dresses, and refined separates. Its ability to hold shape, resist creasing, and respond well to pressing makes it ideal for garments that benefit from clean lines and thoughtful construction.
