I am working on some rag rugs and can't find the color I want in cotton/poly 8/4 rug warp.  Does anyone know what will happen if I mix in some cotton 8/4?  

Comments

Mon, 05/19/2014 - 02:43

Jenny G. Hill

I had the same question because the warp color I want to add is only available in all cotton.  I have woven 12+ rugs, all with poly/cotton.  I can see it being a problem if the rug was washed in anything except cold water and the cotton warp shrunk but the rest did not.  As for how cotton behaves differently than poly/cotton on the loom...maybe someone with cotton experience can share??

 

What about dyeing poly/cotton warp?  Any tips on that?

Mon, 05/19/2014 - 15:10

pammersw

The poly part of cotton/poly either won't dye or will dye poorly.  You might end up with a heathery look, which might actually look pretty nice, come to think of it.

I'd stick to all the same type for warp, and all the same type for weft, for shrinkage reasons. It is less critical that warp and weft match, because if they shrink differently it won't be wavy.

Mon, 05/19/2014 - 14:56

weaver1126

I dyed all of the weft fabric, so I really didn't want to dye the warp also.  Anyway the rug is done, came out great.  But I changed the colors a little so I wouldn't be mixing the poly/cotton and cotton.  When I wash them I always wash in cold and never put them in a dryer.  I live off the grid and make my own power with solar panels......so I don't have a dryer.  The rugs are on the floor and look great.  I like the poly/cotton warp.  It is strong and inexpensive.  

Mon, 05/19/2014 - 17:11

laurafry

If you want to 'mix' two yarns that may have a difference in shrinkage, the 'best' way to do that is to wind one end of each and intersperse them well.  The difference in shrinkage will equalize over the entire cloth.

cheers,

Laura