Wool Micron - Shrinkage Differences

[magzie]

I want to order merino roving to make a wearable piece. I'm not sure what micron to purchase. Do you know if the shrink factor is affected by what micron the wool is? Does the 14.5 micron wool shrink more or less than the 22 micron wool? Does it felt faster? Or is it simply a softer feeling felt? Thank you so much for your input!

[felicity]

If it's going to be one of your first wearable items I'd advise against buying 14.5 or 16 micron just because of the price. Or if you are going to do nuno felting. Usually 18 mic or 22 mic will do for wearables except you have very specific requirements for softness or extra sensitivity of the skin.
And yes I think shrinkage to be different depending of microns and felting time as well but not significantly so. Anyway to make a sample first always helps to calculate shrinkage...

[MTRuth]

Pretty much everything affects the shrinkage rate

Do you have small amounts of these different microns now? If so, samples are the definite way to go. Especially if you're planning a big piece.

[Pandagirl]

You've gotten good advice here Magzie. Samples are the way to determine shrinkage. Not all wools are created equal. ?.

[Shepherdess]

Ruth is right everything effects shrinkage. A sample is the best idea so you are not disappointed. I am planning a tunic using 22 micron and plan to have 50% shrinkage.

[zed]

I agree with what the others say. Also, what kind of 'wearable piece'?

[magzie]

Ladies, thank you so much for your help. Zed, I bought patterns for wet felting from Crow's Nest (a vest pattern, a jacket pattern and a dress pattern) - I'm so anxious to give it a try...........

[Pandagirl]

Let us know how it works out. I bought a pattern from there, but haven't used it yet.

[zed]

I would definitely not get fine Micron Merino for the jacket and vest then, and maybe not below 18.5 for the dress.

If you want something soft and floaty go for lower Microns, I use 18.5 Merino for scarves and that is fine, here's a couple of examples: feltingandfiberstudio.com/2015/01/15/scarves-2/

But to get the 'firmness' you'll want in a vest or jacket, you will have to full lower Micron Merino a lot, and it will shrink a lot, but the biggest noticeable thing is the texture, it becomes very 'bobbly' or 'pebbley'.

[magzie]

Zed, I truly appreciate your advice. Thank you. Your scarves are beautiful - I love the colors you blended together.

[zed]

You're welcome, Magzie. I did try to find a photo for you, I shrank an 18.5 micron sample down as much as I physically could not so long ago, but it had nylon or viscose tops on so the texture isn't quite so apparent. I know I uploaded a picture here but can't find it!

[chookie2]

I used a 6 x6ft piece of prefelt as a base to lay out a design on, and it shrunk down to 18x30 inches. As I was planning on a full sleeve jacket plans had to change. It is now a short vest instead.darn I did love that design but it is only ok now instead of the outstanding it was before it was fully felted. boo hoo. ...no more fluffy pre felts for me.

[MTRuth]

It is always best to do a sample in advance so you know what the shrinkage will be. Do you have a photo of the vest, we'd love to see.

[chookie2]

The vest has some pulled holes which I will needlefelt/embellish and the armholes are not yet completed.I shall probably add a needlefelted trim around the neck too as wella s deciding how to treat the armholes, they do not sit quite right yet. This is for the "scarlet Woman" theme at Felting Convergence in NZ. Each day a different theme.I am currently making a hat to go with the vest.

[chookie2]

yes I should have made a sample first - but I don't know if anyone else is like me - once I get an idea I have to do it NOW! LOL ... and I pay the price. Lesson: I shall not use fluffy pre felts in one layer ever again.