The only wool dress I've made, I decided is going to be dry-cleaned if it ever gets dirty (not that I wear it much to get it dirty!), mostly cause I was too lazy to cut a swatch and hand-wash it to see how it came out. I figure dry-cleaning is relatively safe. =)
I haven't had to wash any of my wool dresses yet, but when I do, it'll be dry cleaning.
I did have to wash an in progress wool skirt once because Lola threw up on it. It turned out fine, but not something I'm willing to try with a completed dress--or every wool!
Thanks for the input. Do you wear your dresses outdoors often? That is my concern, the outfits I have wool for are all intended to be faire wear. The main one I am concerned about is the cream color.
Not very often. The only times I wear things outside are faire--which is a one day thing here--a small Civil War reenactment, and Under the Redcoat.
Wool is amazingly resilient though. The main problem I run into outside is roads. Asphalt, motor oil, tar, and other road type things are awful on hems. Other than that, wool doesn't seem to pick up too many stains.
Of course, now that I think of it, I did get my yellow wool dress dry cleaned after wearing it in the snow. It came out beautifully. There was mud, snow, rain, etc. that all got on the dress. Things don't seem to stick to wool like they do other fabrics!
Swatch test it or just throw it in the washer. If I really love the wool and don't want it to change, I'll cut off a good size swatch to see how it makes it through the wash. It's best to do that at least 2-3 times because sometimes it doesn't change enough after one wash and then you're unpleasantly surprised later on. Most of my wools haven't changed enough that it's worth dry-cleaning and I really hate taking anything to the cleaners. If I buy a fabric specifically for a project and I'm sure that I won't want to use it if it won't make it through the wash, then I just chuck it in and hope for the best. I use the wool setting on the washers here and I think it's just a cold wash/rinse and a gentle setting. Always line dry and the finished garment is dried as flat as I can make it so nothing stretches out of place.
I really don't recommend hand washing unless it's a very small piece. Wool really sucks in water and can get so heavy that it's impossible to squeeze out the excess water. But that does vary for every wool too but if you're talking a gown, ouch. Then again, that could be my decidedly weak wrists talking. =)
I think I am going to attempt the swatch testing. These are going to be my faire clothes so I can't dry clean it all the time. Thanks for the input on not trying to hand wash it. I have a 6 yard piece. I am sure my shoulder will thank you.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-08-14 04:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-15 03:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-14 07:18 am (UTC)I did have to wash an in progress wool skirt once because Lola threw up on it. It turned out fine, but not something I'm willing to try with a completed dress--or every wool!
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Date: 2010-08-15 03:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-17 09:11 am (UTC)Wool is amazingly resilient though. The main problem I run into outside is roads. Asphalt, motor oil, tar, and other road type things are awful on hems. Other than that, wool doesn't seem to pick up too many stains.
Of course, now that I think of it, I did get my yellow wool dress dry cleaned after wearing it in the snow. It came out beautifully. There was mud, snow, rain, etc. that all got on the dress. Things don't seem to stick to wool like they do other fabrics!
no subject
Date: 2010-08-14 07:44 am (UTC)I really don't recommend hand washing unless it's a very small piece. Wool really sucks in water and can get so heavy that it's impossible to squeeze out the excess water. But that does vary for every wool too but if you're talking a gown, ouch. Then again, that could be my decidedly weak wrists talking. =)
no subject
Date: 2010-08-15 03:05 am (UTC)