Hi

I´m thinking about trying to make my own boiled wool fabric.
So therefore I wonder if ther is nyone in here thas has tried it and can help med get started.
mostly I´m interested in knowing how the boiling process is done.

 

Thanks

Comments

Mon, 02/10/2014 - 15:04

Weavingholiday

Not sure you have to take the "boiled" part too seriously.

What we call "boiled wool" around here we make by washing wool cloth in warm water in the washing machine with soap and agitation.

Have only done his with commercial fabric. In that case, you need to keep checking to see when it has felted enough. But if you are weaving your own fabric you will likely also want to sample a few different setts to see what gives you the thickness, density, hand, etc. you are looking for.

Do you have an end project planned for this fabric?

Mon, 02/10/2014 - 20:31

Gemma (not verified)

Commercial boiled wool fabric begins life as a knit, not a woven. If that's what you're striving for, sorry to burst your bubble!
Mon, 02/10/2014 - 20:50

Sara von Tresckow

It is entirely possibe to weave wool yardage that can then be felted to any degree desired in a washing machine. The original fabric is usuall rather loosely woven - say 10 epi rather than 12. The expected shrinkage is about 30% for heavy felting.

If using a machine with agitator, you sew a donut and put that donut around the agitator.

In a front loaded, you simply place the cloth in the machine (don't overfill) and watch the first few minutes that the cloth doesn't stick to itself. It if should, stop, open the door and rearrange. After the felting begins, this will no longer happen.

The resulting fabric is suitable for jackets, vests, bags, blankets, etc. It will have a smoother texture than boiled wool knit.