I've got a large 100% wool blanket, but it's an awful pale green colour; as it's a civi one it hasn't been felted at all. My idea is to put it in the washing machine with some van dyke crystalls and wash the dye through it at 40 degrees.............will this work? Does anybody know if I'd need to fix the dye in some way afterwards? And would this wash-through at 40 C be enough felting?..................Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated! atb mac
Prepare blanket for Jacshirt sewalong
- Thread starter Macaroon
- Start date
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Nomad
Guest
On a similar note, can anything be done to make a 100% wool blanket more windproof? For example, washing at a certain temperature (with or without detergent)?
If it helps, this is the blanket I've ordered...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300856341126?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
Don't know how windproof it is yet, but wanted to know what can be done if it's like a sieve.
If it helps, this is the blanket I've ordered...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300856341126?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
Don't know how windproof it is yet, but wanted to know what can be done if it's like a sieve.
That's a thick-looking military type 100% wool blanket and almost certainly semi-felted, and in my experience these are pretty well windproof............if you wanted it more so, you can hot wash it to felt it tighter, but the feel of it will change to more,well, felty ...........
Looking at the dimensions and the weight, it looks pretty thick stuff to me too, as Macaroon said.
Concerning dyeing wool, I am no expert but I believe it is quite a difficult process. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to offer some proper advice.
Concerning dyeing wool, I am no expert but I believe it is quite a difficult process. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to offer some proper advice.
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Nomad
Guest
Sounds better than might be expected - would be very good if I don't have to hot wash it. As long as it's noticably more windproof than a typical fleece, I think I'll be happy.
I would advise very much against hot-washing the blanket you've bought.............the whole reason for my op is to attempt to get my charity shop civi soft blanket to exactly what you've got there; I've worn loads of home made shirts/jackets made from blankets like yours and they're difficult to improve on; they're wool and will be pretty much windproof in combination with your other layers, will keep you warm even when sodden and won't burn or melt onto your skin - far better than any fleece I've ever come across.............think carefully before you risk all that, even if your felting goes well you'll shrink it up to 25% and its often a process that throws up
very unexpected results...........hope this helps, atb mac
very unexpected results...........hope this helps, atb mac
OK, I've now got my blanket felted exactly as I want it - washed it with pure soap @ 40 degrees and spun it - about 15% shrinkage which has tightened the weave nicely but without hardening it and it's still holding the same shape and feels good..................but despite much searching and reading, I can't find any information on using a natural dye to get it a decent shade of OG or brown.................someone must have done this, surely?
I've come to a bit of a standstill.............HELP!....................atb mac
I've come to a bit of a standstill.............HELP!....................atb mac
Oh, so we have a contender? I have put the whole thread on ice since there wasn't so much activity.. I refuse to put down 10+ hrs if I don't get any responses. Keep the thread alive and I shall keep posting in that thread!
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Nomad
Guest
On the Dylon web site, it says you can use their hand fabric dye...
http://www.dylon.co.uk/help.html
And this may help...
http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/wool.shtml
http://www.dylon.co.uk/help.html
And this may help...
http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/wool.shtml
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Nomad
Guest
If you look at the more recent posts in the main thread, I think you'll find that there are several contenders.
TurboGirl
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Ohhh that sounds interesting, linky
I've a couple of wool army blankets, one cream, one olive... I was thinking of trying needle felting on them, no idea what to make and a bit busy sewing a laavu, I have to admit I have no idea what a jacshirt is though!
Well done on a successful felting, Mac
Nomad, you might end up with a very board like substance if you try to hotwash your naturally felted one! Wool takes dylon beautifully or you could try coolaid dying it. We need Toddy to drop us some pearls of wisdom
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Dylon dye is very expensive for what it is. I've had more luck with RIT-dye It's cheaper and IMO better. I've written in the main thread now too. I'll try and update tomorrow, on drafting and fabric prep. If you go down the machine felt route, be prepared for some vigorous pressing to get the fabric out to shape again (that is rectangular, not the same size obviously). Pressing builds character and upper body strength.
I will also mention some ideas on how to weather proof the fabric which will be needed after dyeing and felting.
I will also mention some ideas on how to weather proof the fabric which will be needed after dyeing and felting.
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Nomad
Guest
I actually stole the term from Bemidji woolen mills. I have one of theirs, and it's brilliant.
TurboGirl
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Most interesting, a lot like we'd see cheap in the shops as padded shirts with button though and double breast pockets but made in the PROPER fabric Swanddri sound like they use a brushed water repellant, do we presume they put the oil back in afterwards too.... that'd be a traditional way, perhaps?
Swanddri sound like they use a brushed water repellant, do we presume they put the oil back in afterwards too.... that'd be a traditional way, perhaps?
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Nomad
Guest
I just noticed that my blanket material is about 4 times heavier than what Swanndri use in their Ranger. The blanket was described as 2.1 x 1.3m, weighing 2.1kg, so 1300gsm compared to the Ranger's 345gsm. I'm guessing that the Ranger is quite thin.
TG: I don't understand what you mean with the first garment. Do you mean a padded country jacket? I use a lanoline based compound that I soak the garment in. I use it for knitted sweathers, woolen shirts, socks and what not. I use a three bath system with increasing concentration as not to remove any of the animal fat.
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Nomad
Guest
I think she means those padded check work shirts that can be had cheap. I think they're brushed cotton outer, nylon quited inner, probably with some thin polyester wadding between.
TurboGirl
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Thats the ones, Nomad And will you be walking though the lanolin weatherproofing too?! Arghhh I'm so glad I found your thread!!!!
And will you be walking though the lanolin weatherproofing too?! Arghhh I'm so glad I found your thread!!!!
Oh, yeah, I've seen those too. They are good for work wear but not ideal for sitting next to a fire. The outer is usually synthetic too, in those I've seen here.