Can I use felt as an upholstery fabric?

[lalalonglegs]

I have a sofa covered in a soft wool fabric but I want to recover it. I've seen felt sold on a roll in a really great colour and it has a similar feel to the sofa's current covering but would it be a mistake to use it?

I'm not too sure that felt would be durable. It's fairly easy to pull apart isn't it? So I would have thought it would wear through really quickly.

craft felt would be no good as it tears easily and pills. Wool felting material made for clothing isn't the same as craft stuff but it would still pill due to the soft, slightly fuzzy nap.

Why not try tweeds or other suiting material?

The colour might rub off. Felt is likely to stretch because it does not have a warp and weft to hold it together. I also suggest tweeds or wool.

Doh! All very obvious reasons not to recover a sofa in felt . Does anyone know any discount upholstery fabric shops (I live in London but regularly visit the West Yorkshire/North Yorkshire/Lancashire area as well and, occasionally, Cheshire)?

Aberkhan is definately worth a look

eBay is very good for fabric.