Boiled wool is an excellent example of a successful collaboration between old and new technologies: while remaining natural, this fabric has acquired the ability to resist moisture and retain heat more reliably.
Having entered our market relatively recently, boiled wool has been successfully produced for the fourth hundred years. The material was invented by the Tyroleans, who have long worn woolen items in the harsh winter of the Austrian Alps. One day one of them washed his clothes in too hot water. To his surprise, the things did not deteriorate, but acquired new properties - they became softer and denser. And most importantly, any wind has ceased to be scary in them!
What is boiled wool?
Boiled wool is an excellent example of a successful collaboration between old and new technologies: while remaining natural, this fabric has acquired the ability to resist moisture and retain heat more reliably.
Having entered our market relatively recently, boiled wool has been successfully produced for the fourth hundred years. The material was invented by the Tyroleans, who have long worn woolen items in the harsh winter of the Austrian Alps. One day one of them washed his clothes in too hot water. To his surprise, the things did not deteriorate, but acquired new properties - they became softer and denser. And most importantly, any wind has ceased to be scary in them!
Subtleties of care
Having survived quite harsh processing, boiled wool remains a delicate fabric that requires special handling. The rules are simple, but they must be followed:
- do not give in to the temptation to wash the product: even careful hand washing can ruin the item;
- Dry cleaning only is recommended;
- in between visits to the dry cleaner, you can clean the fabric with a dry brush, avoiding movements “against the grain”;
- The product can only be ironed from the inside out and through gauze;
- when sending an item for storage, it is packaged separately from other items in a paper bag (easily constructed from “craft” paper);
- Don’t forget to put a moth repellent in the bag – wormwood or tansy do an excellent job of protecting against voracious larvae.
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What is boiled wool?
This material is called loden. It is a felted material similar to classic cloth, but softer . The modern process of making loden differs from the previous one in the use of automated technology, everything else is the same as before:
Properties of boiled wool
Raw materials processed in this way acquire increased density, water-repellent properties and increased ability to retain heat. At the same time, the fabric retains the traditional qualities of natural sheep wool - it “breathes” and self-cleans. These properties distinguish loden from similar fabrics : it is as dense and resistant to moisture as felt, but much lighter; softer than felt and more windproof than drape.
Pros and cons of the material
Being natural and made in a special way, this canvas has many advantages:
If you decide to sew something from boiled wool, do not forget to decate the fabric before cutting it - wash it (the water should be moderately hot), dry it and steam it. Otherwise, you can later end up with an item that is several sizes smaller than required - the material shrinks!
However, the advantages of loden can also turn into disadvantages. Thus, the mobility of its shape can eventually lead to the thing stretching under its own weight. You can’t wash it either in a machine or by hand - you can’t do without dry cleaning . The natural composition can result in an allergy to lanolin or other components.
Origin
Of course, the properties of wool have been known to mankind for a long time. Therefore, it was not difficult for manufacturers to assume that under the influence of high temperatures the material would become dense, windproof and water-repellent. It was thanks to them that boiled wool became widely used.
But there is also a legend that interprets the origin somewhat differently. According to it, peasants in Tyrol were forbidden to wear expensive cloth. Their clothes were rough, woolen cloth. One day, a farmer mistakenly washed his clothes in too hot water. As a result, the fabric felted, became dense, and acquired qualities indispensable for the peasant. That’s what they called it, boiled wool or loden.
What can be made from boiled wool?
The variety of material allows it to be used for sewing a wide variety of clothes.
These can be demi-season and winter coats, jackets and cardigans. It makes excellent hats and gloves. A suit, dress or skirt - all this will fit into the wardrobe of a modern fashionista who values convenience and comfort. The fashion for textile bags leaves truly wide scope for the designer’s imagination! What about leg warmers - fashionable and warm?
When making clothes and accessories from boiled wool, glue the seams with non-woven fabric. Otherwise, the clothes will quickly lose their shape.
Sewing recommendations
Experienced craftsmen say that working with this fabric is a pleasure. Despite this, beginners often make mistakes. First of all, it is recommended to soak the fabric in warm water, then dry it and iron it with a hot iron. After this, the fabric will shrink, from which the finished product can be protected.
- The density of loden is such that, in fact, it does not require a lining, since it is windproof. But if the pile is rough and uneven, then a lining is desirable. Otherwise, the product will cling to clothing and will be uncomfortable to wear.
- It is best to seal the seams with non-woven tape.
Of course, these recommendations are important for those who have some experience in sewing outerwear. For beginners, it is better to start with the simplest products.
Boiled wool from old sweaters
Boiled wool can be used to create a lot of interesting things, such as bags, necklaces, toys and decorative panels. You can easily find it in the market, but we will take a different route and talk about how to boil wool at home. First of all, because we have an excellent opportunity to recycle sweaters and other woolen items that have shrunk after careless washing and save a little.
There are two methods of boiling: manually and felting wool in a washing machine, but before moving on to the procedure, let's define what this material is, which many call felt. This definition is wrong. The two fabrics are interchangeable in many ways, but are made from different materials. Felt is made from carded wool that has not yet been converted into yarn, while boiled wool is the material obtained from processed knitted or hand-knitted products.
Main characteristics
This is a fabric unique in its properties. Boiled wool combines the consumer properties of many similar materials. It can be compared:
- With felt. Loden is no less dense and also perfectly repels water, but at the same time it is much thinner than felt.
- With felt. They are somewhat similar, but boiled wool is much more tender.
- Drap. Only in appearance. In fact, drape is easily blown by the wind, and products made from loden provide excellent protection from it.
- With fleece. And there are great similarities here. Both materials are delicate and soft, but loden is made from natural wool, and therefore it is much warmer.
In general, their boiled wool items are significantly different from all others. They are very soft and delicate, pleasant to the touch. Loden drapes wonderfully. Plastic and obedient material, it will not get wet in the rain and will warm you perfectly.
Felting in the washing machine
This method is, of course, easier; you just need to wash the wool in the washing machine. In what mode? You should select a high temperature wash cycle (at least 60 degrees) and use laundry soap. After the first cycle in hot water, we start another one in cold water. Let's check the result: if the wool has not reached the desired consistency, you will have to start all over again. On average, felting takes at least two full cycles.
From the resulting material you can sew bags, toys, slippers or various decorations. Of course, you should start with the simplest crafts: try buying Isotoner slippers and decorating them with cute horns or faces. A great gift for the New Year!
Stay on the site
In order to create a calm and cozy atmosphere in the house, it is important not to lose sight of any detail, and even small accessories (cushions, vases, paintings and lighting) should be considered.
Carnival is approaching, and with it, mothers are faced with the acute issue of preparing costumes for children, especially because schools and kindergartens organize traditional holidays where there is no dress.
Source
Production
Today there are entire workshops in which mass production of this material has been established. The need for it does not decrease, but rather the opposite. Only natural material is used as raw material for the production of boiled wool. That is sheep's wool. To make the fabric softer, mohair is sometimes added to it. But the principle of production itself remained the same as it was in ancient times.
The wool must first be shorn, then washed and spun. Now the most important thing. The semi-finished product is dumped and boiled in hot water. Special means are used to secure the properties. This is a rather lengthy process, it ends when the canvas becomes dense, smooth and very durable. Only now it is painted, dried and combed.
Popular models
The presence of a large number of different models of boiled wool coats allows every girl and woman to choose something to suit her style and figure.
With belt
An elegant coat made of boiled wool, as already mentioned, fits the figure very well. But for a more elegant look, you can complement it with a belt made of the same material as the coat itself. The belt can be either narrow or wide, effectively complementing the image and making it brighter.
Autumn coats without lining are very light and comfortable. They will not warm you in severe frosts, but they are perfect for autumn. A coat without lining is good for both a young girl and a mature lady.
A light coat made of boiled wool is perfect for early autumn and spring. Choose a model in a pleasant pastel or bright color, and it will perfectly complement your wardrobe updated for the changing seasons.
Flaws
Of course, everything has two sides. Wool itself is an allergen due to its animal fat content. In addition, an allergic reaction may also occur to the products used in dry cleaning. Therefore, if you have such a tendency, it is better to choose synthetic materials.
It is impossible not to note the susceptibility to deformation. The canvas is quite plastic, but during use the product will stretch. And under the influence of moisture and high temperature, shrinkage is possible. In addition, the coat will be quite tricky to care for. It cannot be washed, only specialized cleaning is possible.
Application area
The most commonly used material is for sewing coats. Reviews of boiled wool suggest that this is one of the best options. The fabric is light, dense, soft, and has excellent thermal protective properties. Due to this, it is used for the production of:
- Outerwear.
- Headdresses.
- Designer shoes.
- Bags and accessories.
Care instructions
First of all, you need to remember how to wash boiled wool. Despite the heat treatment, it is not recommended to wash the products yourself. And both in the basin and in the machine. If dirt appears, you can try cleaning the product with a dry brush. In this case, you need to move in the direction of the pile. Ironing any product made from this material is allowed only from the wrong side, using the “wool” mode.
The product should be stored folded and not on hangers. Be sure to use in well-ventilated areas. And of course, protect them from moths. To do this, today there is a huge selection of products that can be sprayed in the closet. It would not be superfluous to recall folk methods of fighting moths. For this, orange and pomegranate peels, mint and wormwood are used.
