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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Some advice about wool  |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 08:39:02 AM
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I recently bought a kit to make a wall hanging for a friend. It is made of wool. My question is, how is this wooll different from other wool? I have a few pair of pants n my sewing room that is 100% virgin wool that I am saving to do something with.
The lady I boughtt the kit from saod you can't use that type of wool for crafts but why not? I recycle and reuse almost everything else.
Any advice or opinion will be helpful. Thank you!
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 08:46:34 AM
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I know with most wools if washed & dried will felt...but if your using it for crafts that don't get washed or washed often you will be fine....I think your 100% virgin wool would be lovely in a craft....I know that old wool clothes have been cut down & made into beautiful quilts, gloves, hats ect & also cut into strips for loop rugs ect...so don't worry & just enjoy yourself....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogger.com |
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 10:16:55 AM
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| That is great to know- I just was taught last weekend how to do rug hooking. Today on my lunch went to the thrift and bought a couple skirts and blazers to take apart and use...watch out seem ripper!! |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2012 : 07:36:33 AM
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ohhhh a hook rug with all those wonderful wools will be wonderful & so lovely...have fun & put up a picture when you finally get it done for us...Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogger.com |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2012 : 4:14:41 PM
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I played around with the two kinds and there isn't much different. The stuff is the store was soo expensive. Thank you for the advice
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2012 : 5:01:23 PM
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Boy is that a loaded queston. If you are talking about useing wool that has been made into fabric the differences are what the wool threads where treated with, was there sizing in it, did they preshrink before sewing the item and then there is the dyes. Some wool fabric is dry cleaning only and the chemicals for the dye and sizing will not react to dry cleaning but will if you wash it. Then if you are ever going to take old clothing for crafts please wash it separatly in very hot water with soap that way you shrink it and also if it is going to bleed you will know about it before you start. Also some old wools have chemicals that are no longer allowed so please make sure you have gloves on. Then set the yarn with steam or an iron which will also help place the weave back into alignment.
Hope that helps but I can give you tons more information on wool fabric. If you are also using raw wool I can help on that as well. This is what I do for a living and passion.
Have Fun.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2012 : 7:49:55 PM
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Wow Grace, that s a lot of info. Do I want to wash the wool from ladies slacks first? They all say 100% virgin wool, ddry clean and are all lined. I have a few sweaters I am trying to felt but have a front loader washer. Can I boil water and put swweaters in that to felt it better? I like sewing the wool with the kit I bought, it's a bit addictive and I am almost done with the kit. I try to repurpose items which is why I have the slacks in the first place, I am saving the for something! Thanks for all the things to think about.
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2012 : 08:13:15 AM
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Always wash the items first and try to make sure you shrink it all it will otherwise you will pay for it later. Also you will be sure the dye it set. I always put in about a 1/4 cup white vinegar into the boiling water to make the colors stay. I don't have a front loader but I do boil my one the stove and really boil it. It you have a way to work it like a plunger or washboard that will even help more... Then shock it in cold water till it rinses clean. This is the last step to get those fiber locked down.
Hope that helps. Sorry it took so long to get back but dealing with a snow up to my waist and having to haul hay all around the farm on a sled - for the 80 animals who depend on me. Enjoy the process it is addictive.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2012 : 10:35:52 AM
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| Grace you are the greatest!! Thank you so much for all of the useful info! |
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2012 : 10:38:46 AM
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| Grace- is raw wool what you use for felting projects? |
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AmethystRose
True Blue Farmgirl
254 Posts
Rosemary
Huntingdon
PA
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2012 : 12:26:11 PM
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Many garments are marked dry clean only because they are made of several different fabrics which respond differently to washing, like the lined slacks. If you intend to reuse the wool, then cut the garments apart and wash only the woolen fabric. |
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 05:15:10 AM
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| all of this info is so helpful to me as I get started working with wool and trying to repurpose it in the correct way! thank you SO much sisters!! |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 07:57:13 AM
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Oh thank you Grace. I'm ready to get started!
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 12:45:21 PM
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Rosemary you are so right - take those garments apart. I even make sure that any lining is never washed because they are the ones that has the most chemicals in them...
As for wool that I use to felt that is a loaded question because I use old wool fabric to use for repurposing projects. I use also old wool sweaters to either felt for fabric style use or even unravel for just the yarn (Not as often). I use wool off the sheep to make felt but I also make alpaca, llama, Angora, Cashmere, and Bunny Felt as well. Then there is all the fibers that I use for making locker hooking and all the other fiber arts that I teach, make and sell. So you see that is a never ending story...
Enjoy.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 12:48:59 PM
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| Oh ladies so much to learn- why do I have to work 40 hours a week- when there is so much to learn and craft! Oh Yeah- bills to pay! I'll stay at work and play with wool later! |
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2012 : 4:35:30 PM
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Grace I need you!!!
I have been taking apart some suit coats that I bought at the thrift..when I got the lining out I see that there is like a fusing or something- how do I get that off before I wash and dry it? Thank you again for your help!!
Lori |
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AmethystRose
True Blue Farmgirl
254 Posts
Rosemary
Huntingdon
PA
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 06:59:43 AM
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Experiment with a small piece. All fusibles are not the same. You could try using a steam iron on the woolen side at a hot setting, then see if it will peel off. It might leave a residue. Maybe if you just wash it as you planned, the backing will pucker and loosen. |
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 07:50:56 AM
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| Thank you for the advice- I need all that I can get- I'm new to this playing with wool!! :) |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 11:03:36 AM
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| Grace- got your email- you have soooooo much knowledge- thank you so much for sharing!! |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Some advice about wool |
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Some advice about wool
