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Post by koffipot on Oct 28, 2015 9:04:20 GMT
Lots of good advice on this thread and such beautiful locks. If you want to dye them, washing is essential as the lanolin will prevent the fibres 'grabbing' the dye.
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Post by zed on Oct 30, 2015 11:26:42 GMT
I agree with everything said here, I've done the neddlefelting raw locks too, onto vessels, then just put them through the washing machine to secure more.
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Post by natalie on Nov 27, 2015 3:07:34 GMT
I am new to this site, and I am very impressed by everyone's beautiful work and knowledge. I have not been able to find the tried and true method to removing the waxy ends off of teeswater locks. I think I have tried everything from the week long fermenting soak, to hot water with blue dawn, to adding furniture oil to microwaving with olive oil...yes there are quite a bit of ideas, but on some of these locks NOTHING is working and I really don't want to dye them. HELP!!
Thank you, Natalie
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Post by Pandagirl on Nov 27, 2015 4:38:01 GMT
I'm sure someone here can help. Sorry I don't have experience with teeswater locks.
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Post by MTRuth on Nov 27, 2015 4:38:07 GMT
Hi Natalie - do you know how long the locks have "been in the grease"? Sometimes ends are just more damaged than the rest of the lock and old lanolin is really hard to remove once it has sat there for a year or two.
Not sure that's much help though.
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Post by natalie on Nov 28, 2015 4:05:47 GMT
Hi Natalie - do you know how long the locks have "been in the grease"? Sometimes ends are just more damaged than the rest of the lock and old lanolin is really hard to remove once it has sat there for a year or two. Not sure that's much help though. Hi Ruth, I would say probably a year, although I had this problem right after they were sheared. It's not on all of them but the more I tried to get it off on some they got even "crunchier"...very annoying:(
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Post by MTRuth on Nov 28, 2015 17:20:39 GMT
Probably damaged ends that can not be fixed.
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Post by Shepherdess on Nov 29, 2015 23:47:17 GMT
I would grit my teeth and cut the tips off. using scissors on your wool is not against the law.LOL Although you would think so sometimes.
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Post by natalie on Dec 5, 2015 3:29:32 GMT
I would grit my teeth and cut the tips off. using scissors on your wool is not against the law.LOL Although you would think so sometimes. That's funny you say that, as it was also my mother's suggestion (she has no knowledge of fiber, felting, etc) however, she is an amazing textile and clothing designer...I did react in aghast and I'm not sure why I did, I guess I could if all else fails. Although, I plan on finding out what the magic potion is to not have to do that.
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Post by zed on Dec 5, 2015 10:27:01 GMT
You could always try ironing them between brown paper or greaseproof paper, see if that melts the lanolin off like you do with candle wax on tablecloths?
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Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on Jul 17, 2017 14:12:40 GMT
Loving reading about everyone's experiences. I've decided (maybe a little late into the season, but hey) that I'd like to get all my fleeces washed. It's a bit of a herculean task for me, but I'm giving it a try. I've tried the fermented suint method, but it didn't work for me. I must have done something wrong, my fleece was still greasy and it really, really stunk. The smell didn't go away after it was dry as it was supposed to, so I had to wash it by hand again, defeating the purpose of this method in the first place. Oh, and I can still smell the awfulness lingering! Argh. Having said this, I'm curious to see if anyone's tried washing a fleece in the washing machine? I got this advise from a fibre Facebook group I'm a part of, and some ladies mentioned washing their fleeces in 30ºC in the Wool setting, with a wool wash detergent. I'm honestly curious about it but fear it might damage the machine! They did say one would have to do a very hot water cycle afterwards to wash the machine (which is good for the machine once in a while anyway). Some of my fleeces are lovely but have a bit of vegetable matter to them, so I'm really not sure I dare! Anyway, loving seeing all those locks and finished projects
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Post by MTRuth on Jul 17, 2017 17:03:05 GMT
I have a front loading machine so washing wool won't work in one of those. Too much agitation. Good luck, it's hard work.
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Post by Pandagirl on Jul 18, 2017 5:27:45 GMT
Loving reading about everyone's experiences. I've decided (maybe a little late into the season, but hey) that I'd like to get all my fleeces washed. It's a bit of a herculean task for me, but I'm giving it a try. I've tried the fermented suint method, but it didn't work for me. I must have done something wrong, my fleece was still greasy and it really, really stunk. The smell didn't go away after it was dry as it was supposed to, so I had to wash it by hand again, defeating the purpose of this method in the first place. Oh, and I can still smell the awfulness lingering! Argh. Having said this, I'm curious to see if anyone's tried washing a fleece in the washing machine? I got this advise from a fibre Facebook group I'm a part of, and some ladies mentioned washing their fleeces in 30ºC in the Wool setting, with a wool wash detergent. I'm honestly curious about it but fear it might damage the machine! They did say one would have to do a very hot water cycle afterwards to wash the machine (which is good for the machine once in a while anyway). Some of my fleeces are lovely but have a bit of vegetable matter to them, so I'm really not sure I dare! Anyway, loving seeing all those locks and finished projects I haven't done my own. But it may be worth your time to check out Zara's methods. No wash machine though. Zararooke.com or message her here. There are threads here she also talks about washing fleeces. Good luck!
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Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on Jul 18, 2017 17:12:28 GMT
I have a front loading machine so washing wool won't work in one of those. Too much agitation. Good luck, it's hard work. The women I spoke with said they had a front loading machine too (I think top-loading are rare over here) but yes, I agree, it does seem like too much agitation. Ah well, more exercise for me
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Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on Jul 18, 2017 17:15:08 GMT
Loving reading about everyone's experiences. I've decided (maybe a little late into the season, but hey) that I'd like to get all my fleeces washed. It's a bit of a herculean task for me, but I'm giving it a try. I've tried the fermented suint method, but it didn't work for me. I must have done something wrong, my fleece was still greasy and it really, really stunk. The smell didn't go away after it was dry as it was supposed to, so I had to wash it by hand again, defeating the purpose of this method in the first place. Oh, and I can still smell the awfulness lingering! Argh. Having said this, I'm curious to see if anyone's tried washing a fleece in the washing machine? I got this advise from a fibre Facebook group I'm a part of, and some ladies mentioned washing their fleeces in 30ºC in the Wool setting, with a wool wash detergent. I'm honestly curious about it but fear it might damage the machine! They did say one would have to do a very hot water cycle afterwards to wash the machine (which is good for the machine once in a while anyway). Some of my fleeces are lovely but have a bit of vegetable matter to them, so I'm really not sure I dare! Anyway, loving seeing all those locks and finished projects I haven't done my own. But it may be worth your time to check out Zara's methods. No wash machine though. Zararooke.com or message her here. There are threads here she also talks about washing fleeces. Good luck! I will, Marilyn, thanks! I've been wanting to order a fleece from Zara anyway (one of the reasons I need to get started on sorting the ones I already have) so this is good motivation
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