Washing Raw Fleece

[Fabricart]

I just posted a tutorial about washing raw fleece on my blog, for those interested.

Linda Hall
www.fabricartbylinda.com
www.fabricartbylinda.blogspot.com
Author of “The ART of Machine Needle Felting” book and CD

[MTRuth]

I washed one fleece and that was the last time I'm planning on doing that without proper equipment!

[beachwalkerca]

I'm cracking up at Ruth's comment, I did this for a class in college once so I sure know what she means!! I do small batches when I get them from 4-H or FFA kids, just to support their projects!!! Sometimes they sit for a long time before I get up the courage to dig into them!! LOL

[Feffie]

When I got my first load of raw fleece I was terrified of washing it, especially since I only have a small kitchen sink, I just did small amounts at a time which made it a bit more enjoyable, so much so I'm thinking of getting 2kg of the stuff for £7 I'll be washing the stuff for years but would be great fun dying it all and carding it and making everything out of it oooh. lol

[zed]

Because I only really wet felt, I never wash my alpaca, combing gets the VM and dust out. Does it really need so much detergent when it doesn't have lanolin?

I know it's only 'wool' but I hate seeing it carded

[Fabricart]

Because I use alpaca for "clouds" I need it to be carded whisper thin with each fiber combed so I can layer it down in thin layers and it doesn't form clumps when I needle felt it. That way i can get the transparent feathered edges of clouds. I also found that when I wet felt it, the fibers seem to show more on the surface than when i don't so I really have to be careful when I am laying down the fibers not to lay them down too thick, even though it looks as if I need to use more layers at the time. That's why I like to card everything - you can truly "paint" with fibers if they are fluffy and thin.

Linda Hall
www.fabricartbylinda.com
www.fabricartbylinda.blogspot.com
Author of “The ART of Machine Needle Felting” book and CD

[zed]

I know fibres need to be 'messy' for needle felting, but it just seems so 'brutal' and such a waste to do that to such lovely fibres. It's not just alpaca, I think the same when I see people wash and card wools with gorgeous locks like Wensleydale, there's so many other breeds out there, it seems a waste to not use them to their best

[Fabricart]

I guess I like the way the alpaca looks after being washed and carded than before. Right now it is washed and sitting in a large bag. It looks rough and a little stained white. After carding it will be pure white and soft as a cloud - then I can dye it with the palest pastels or deeper cloud colors. Carding takes some time but I find it relaxing to do and besides, I need to put my financial investment in the large carding machine to work once in awhile!

Linda Hall
www.fabricartbylinda.com
www.fabricartbylinda.blogspot.com
Author of “The ART of Machine Needle Felting” book and CD

[Shepherdess]

If I where you I would dye it then card it. That way if it gets a little felty in the dye pot you can brush it out in the carding.

Ann

[Fabricart]

Ann:
That's a great idea I never thought of. Thanks for the tip.

Linda Hall
www.fabricartbylinda.com
www.fabricartbylinda.blogspot.com
Author of “The ART of Machine Needle Felting” book and CD