Crewel Fabrics

What Is Crewel Fabric?

Crewel fabric is a woven base cloth, typically cotton or linen, decorated with crewel embroidery. This technique uses wool yarn to stitch raised, textured patterns, most often trailing florals and vines. Crewel fabric is used for curtains, light upholstery, pillows, and decorative panels.

Common Uses of Crewel Fabrics

Crewel fabric’s hand-stitched texture makes it a decorative choice for furniture and soft furnishings. Because the wool stitching sits on the surface, it suits lighter-use projects best.

• Drapery & Window Treatments: Hang crewel curtains to frame a window with textured, floral detail.

• Upholstery: Cover accent chairs, ottomans, and headboards in low-traffic rooms.

• Accent Decor: Sew throw pillows, cushions, and bolsters that show off the embroidery.

• Wall Decor: Stretch crewel fabric over panels or frames for a textile wall hanging.

How to Choose Crewel Fabric

The right crewel fabric choice comes down to the base cloth, pattern, and how the piece will be used. Here are some pointers to help you decide.

• Base fabric: Crewel on linen feels crisp and textured, while crewel on cotton is soft and easy to sew.

• Pattern style: Traditional Jacobean florals suit classic rooms, while simpler designs fit modern spaces.

• Durability: The wool stitching can snag, so save crewel for curtains, pillows, and low-traffic seating.

• Color direction: Neutral beige and white blend in, while black and white add contrast.

• Related option: For machine-stitched designs, see our embroidered fabrics range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between embroidery and crewel?

Embroidery is a broad term for any decorative stitching on fabric, using many types of thread. Crewel is one specific style of embroidery that uses wool yarn to create raised, textured designs. In short, all crewel is embroidery, but not all embroidery is crewel.

What kind of thread is used for crewel embroidery?

Crewel embroidery traditionally uses crewel wool, a fine, two-ply wool yarn. The wool gives the stitches a soft, raised texture that sits above the fabric base. Some modern crewel work uses wool blends or acrylic yarn, but wool remains the classic and most common choice.

Is crewel fabric good for upholstery?

Crewel can be used for upholstery, but it is best kept to low-traffic pieces like accent chairs, ottomans, and headboards. The raised wool stitching can catch and wear on heavily used furniture. For everyday seating, choose a flat, hard-wearing fabric instead.

How do you clean crewel fabric?

Because crewel combines a fabric base with wool embroidery, it is best cleaned gently. Spot clean small spills with cold water, avoid rubbing the stitching, and have larger items dry-cleaned. Always check the care label instructions, since cotton and linen bases can react differently to water.