Tips to Sew and Care for Boiled Wool Fabric
Winter comes, and people move their search from cooling garments to warming clothing. And that’s where people can rely on wool, woolen fabric and garments.
Unlike a few types of fabrics, wool fabric is somewhat sensitive and require care even when sewing. So, make sure you don’t purchase low-quality wool fabric. Let’s add more, the word cheap can puzzle you off during purchase. You can find cheap wool fabric in India but make sure that ‘cheap’ doesn’t mean low quality. Sometimes you will find quality woolen fabric at a special discount. And that is also cheap wool but in terms of cost.
Boiled wool fabric is one of that kind you should know about in this regard. So, have a look at the following information.
Process of making boiled wool fabric
Shearing: The process begins with shearing the wool from sheep. The quality of the wool depends on the breed of the sheep and the region it comes from.
Sorting and cleaning: The wool is sorted by color, length, and fineness. The dirty wool is washed with soap and water to remove any impurities.
Carding: The wool fibers are carded to align them in the same direction and remove any tangles. This process makes the wool softer and more even.
Spinning: The carded wool is then spun into yarn. The thickness of the yarn depends on the desired weight of the fabric.
Weaving or knitting: The yarn is either woven or knitted into a fabric. The boiled wool fabric is usually made using a plain weave or a knit stitch.
Felting: The fabric is then felted by subjecting it to hot water and agitation. The heat and motion cause the wool fibers to interlock and shrink, resulting in a thicker, more durable fabric.
Finishing: Finally, the fabric is washed, pressed, and trimmed to give it the desired look and feel.
What Is Boiled Wool?
A knit wool blend fabric or wool, boiled wool has been agitated with boiled hot water through a procedure called fulling. This technique shrinks fabric. The result comes in a thick felted fabric that should not shrink and would not fray.
Boiled wool garments are extremely versatile. Whether going out on a special event, going office, or wearing as a casual wear during winter, boiled wool clothing is ideal. It will be easy to dress up and suit any occasion. It is one kind of fabric that can last for several years, even without losing its appearance or shape. Boiled wool garments are a winter wardrobe staple.
Characteristics of Boiled Wool Fabric
|
Characteristic |
Explanation |
|
Warmth |
Boiled wool is an excellent insulator, making it a great choice for winter clothing. The felting process creates air pockets that trap heat, keeping you warm in cold weather. |
|
Durability |
The felting process makes the wool fibers interlock, creating a thicker and more durable fabric. Boiled wool can withstand wear and tear better than other fabrics. |
|
Water-resistance |
The natural oils in wool make it naturally water-resistant, and the felting process enhances this quality. Boiled wool can repel water and keep you dry in light rain or snow. |
|
Breathability |
Despite its warmth, boiled wool is breathable, allowing moisture to escape from your body. This makes it comfortable to wear for extended periods. |
|
Texture |
The felting process gives boiled wool a unique texture that is soft and fuzzy to the touch. It has a distinct matte finish that gives it a rustic look. |
|
Eco-friendly |
Wool is a renewable resource, and the felting process requires only water and agitation, making it an eco-friendly fabric choice. |
How to take care of a Boiled wool garment?
Boiled wool is a genuinely natural fabric with natural lanolin protection that helps make woolen products easy to take care of. Clothing made of boiled wool needs to be steam/dry /fresh cleaned.
If your boiled woolen coat gets slightly dirty, it’s okay to brush it out or shake it carefully using a haired brush that is safe for wool.
To avoid unwanted smells from boiled wool clothes, keep them in the bathroom while taking shower. The bathroom’s air humidity is known to have has a 'self-cleaning' effect on such fabric.
Steaming Boiled fabric
Since the quality may vary, it’s wise to check and test on a small piece of fabric first to see how it reacts to heat. Also, make sure to use as low heat as possible.
Steaming woolen fabric uses iron needs to carry out in a specific methodical no rush way. Make sure no area of fabric is uncovered.
Set your iron to its wool setting, and then hold your iron almost 1.5cm/1 inch above the woolen fabric. Hold it the way there for approximately five seconds before moving on.
Sewing Boiled Wool fabrics
- Sharp pins would not catch the tread during pinning out a pattern to cut.
- Small pegs or clips are useful to hold the fabric pieces altogether while handling thick layers.
- If your wool fabric is slightly stretchy, a seam stabiliser can help keep its shape.
- This fabric is best sewn with a walking foot. But if you don’t have it or the fabric is a bit starchy, you can try a short and shallow zigzag stitch.
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