I love dyeing things, anything really, and for the past few years have become interested in dyeing fabric, and like a lot dyers I have more experience with using acid dyes than I do using cotton dyes. I do have a go with procion, and natural dyes on cottons, but I just know my way around acid dyes a lot better. Which got me thinking, I searched around for wool fabrics and there are lots of them, but no superwash merino ones, not that I could get hold of anyway, so.... after much badgering of Andy we ran some trials and had a go at making some. Fabric that could easily be printed on (like peeps do with the Sock blanks) or tie dyed, or using techniques such as Shibori, or even marbled, which totally works! Basically if you can think of a use for acid dyes you can probably do it on the fabric. I loved the trials so much we got the fabric made.... and its exclusive to us, it's awesome and its here!
Its made of 100% Superwash merino and comes in 5m x 1.4m lengths, the weight per 100 square meter is approximately 160g.
The fabric has a lovely drape, it's quite a heavy fabric, can be used for making clothes, but also great for homeware. Because this fabric is Superwash merino making it slipery, it also means it will fray at the edges, this can be rectified by either hemming, using a securing stitch, or because I'm lazy, I used Fray stop, super easy and perfect for small pieces of fabric when I made trousers with it.
There will be so many uses for this fabric, your mind really is your only limit, you can dye it to match your yarns, you can dye it to match your favourite colour scheme, you can print it, draw on it, speckle it, and even stitch on it, as the weave is very even.... you name it, its super easy to do.
It will make wonderful throws, baby slings, cushions, dresses, bags, anything your imagination can conjure up!
I have run a few simple examples of what I have used it for to give you some ideas:
A simple Shibori attempt using a Jam lids and a clamp, tutorial to follow.
Trousers made from the fabric.
Email Chesterwool@btinternet.com for info and pricing info.