Where Can I Purchase 100% Wool?

Dec 222011
 
 December 22, 2011  Wool No Responses »
100% Wool

100% Wool at Wild Thymes

Wool is hard to find, mostly because of the cost; however more and more quilt shops are stocking a few bolts of background colors, and then filling in with some smaller hand-dyed pieces.  Check around your area to support your local shops before you look elsewhere.

The Internet has been a good source for finding wool.   Just type into Google or your favorite search engine and presto – up come several options.  Here at Wild Thymes we stock over 400 bolts of 100% wool.  Our selection has been collected from 4 different wool vendors and includes tweeds, solids, textures, natural, black & white, and heathers.  In addition we offer a full line of hand-dyed woolens.

Another place to find wool is at thrift shops.  Read the labels, if it says “dry clean only”, that is usually a sure bet that the garment will shrink/felt.  If the label says “washable wool”, pass over that piece, it has been treated to NOT shrink or felt.  Once you have purchased a garment, cut all the seams out before felting it.  Any sewn seam will cause the wool to ripple and you will never get them apart.  Cut off the waistbands, cuffs, hems, darts, collars and separate the larger seams – then felt the dickens out of the remaining fabric.

Scissors on an Airplane?

Dec 222011
 
 December 22, 2011  Tools No Responses »
Round tipped scissors

Round tipped scissors

Air travel! Those rules change with the time of day! I am asked all the time about taking scissors, needles, and pins on an airplane. From day one after 9-11, I have traveled with my hand stitching projects. I bought the round tipped (kindergarten type with bright colored handles) and took them out of my bag so the security could see them – they have passed EVERY time, even on International flights. The blades are sharp for cutting the wool but there wasn’t a point that could be used as a weapon. Now they tell us that you can travel with scissors that have a 4” or smaller blade, I’ll play it safe and stick with the kindergarten scissors. As for the pins and needles, there was never a question. Even my tin full of pins has never been questioned. Knitting needles are a different story. However, the rules have lightened up on those as well, especially the larger round tipped needles. If in doubt you can always call the airline to check on specific items. If you can’t get through security with them, be prepared with a self-addressed and stamped envelope and mail your items back to yourself from the airport. Better safe than sorry.

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