Repurposed Wool Series Part 4: Is It 100% Wool ?



If you missed the first 3 parts of this Series, you can read them here...

We will now take a look at
How to tell if it is 100% Wool.
I use this 1 simple method to tell if my fabric is 100% Wool...















I will often need to know if my Repurposed Wool Fabric is ALL Wool. 
I always want to use 100% Wool Fabric for my Rug Hooking
 so that it wears evenly and has longevity.
There are also other applications where
I want to be sure I am working with 100% wool.
So what is my 1 simple method ??
BLEACH



Place a small swatch in 100% Bleach.  Bleach "eats" Wool.
Allow to sit in bleach overnight.  By morning the swatch will be gone if it is 100% Wool.  There might possibly be a clear "skeleton" remaining.  If there are fibers in the dish - they are not wool.  So simple !

There is one other method, although I don't use this one.
Wool will NOT burn, but rather smolders.  Place a lit match to the edge of the wool fabric, it will become sooty and blackened if it is 100% Wool.  If it is any part synthetic, it will form tiny hardened balls.
___________________________________

For remaining Series on Repurposed Wool...
 



8 comments:

  1. Hello, I stumbled upon your blog through SewManyWays. Thanks for the step by step on finding and fulling wool. I have tons of ideas for fulled wool but am a weeny when it comes to just diving right in. I haunt the local thrift stores already so this in just one more reason to stop by. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Bellis...
    Go for it...Take the plunge and dive into repurposed wool.
    You will learn a lot and have fun doing it !
    Glad you stopped by !
    Rose

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good morning,
    I'm so inspired by your blog! Being new to the whole wool fabric thing (I've been a cotton quilter), how do you store your wool? If you are buying off the bolt do you cut it into manageable segments? If so, what size?
    Thanks so much :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Trudi...
    Delighted you are enjoying the blog !
    I store my woolens folded and stacked on shelves.
    I keep everything in view. I find it helps me to be creative when I can see all the colors and textures.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post. I am always on the lookout for wool. Others must be too because its getting harder all the time! I learned a lot. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I cannot thank you enough for posting and teaching us about wool fabric, how to tell and where to look for it. I was really at a loss until I found your store and blog repurposed wool. Wow I learned so much! Hugs and thanks! Tanya

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really helpful!! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous11/26/2023

    I have a pattern for a patchwork jacket made from wool. I assume i can do this if i repurpose wool. I have never worked with wool before. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete