Buying wool fabric

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I'm not a great seamstress, yet I am thinking of making a wool skirt. I need advice on buying the fabric.

Is there such a thing as washable wool that I can purchase off the bolt?

I want a wool that will last "forever." But the itchiness factor could definitely be a problem. As a child, wool gave me a rash. I've had so little wool in years that I don't know if that is still a problem.

Ideas on what I should look for and where to look for it?

[zakity]

If you put a lining in it, you won't get the rash.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I'm still interested in some input on this. I notice in a women's ready-to-wear catalog that what they call "washable wool" is a blend with a synthetic. Is that my only option for washability?

I know I can get some advice at the fabric store, but I have to drive out to the suburbs to buy fabric so I want to be able to call a couple stores ahead of the trip to make sure they have the sort of thing I'm looking for.

[scfr]

Wool is a self-cleaning fabric so it doesn't need as much washing as other types of fabric, and since it will be a skirt it will need even less washing.

Here is a brief summary of what the true master of housekeeping, Cheryl Mendelson says in her book "Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House." This is one of the few books I recommend actually buying and keeping on hand as a reference.

1. "Superwash" wool is a 100% wool fabric that can be machine-washed and dried because it has had a permanent treatment.

2. Hand-washing: Before you wash, draw an outline of the garment on sturdy paper or cardboard. Wash in cool water w/ mild detergent. Soak 3-5 mins. Gently squeeze suds through. Rinse in cool water. [Don't leave it soaking; that weakens the fibers.] Roll in a towel and squeeze gently to dry. Reshape (block) the garment using that paper or cardboard guide. Dry on towel away from sunlight.

3. Machine Washing: A bit more dicey.

This is my comment about machine washing: With a garage sale cheapie piece of wool clothing, I would try machine-washing using the handwash setting on my front-loader (no agitator). But with a nice skirt that I had put time and money in to, I would stick with handwashing unless it was that "Superwash" fabric.

Good luck - If you make the skirt, post a picture in your blog!

[mom-from-missouri]

Line it. You can cold water wash wool, Gently squeeze water out before laying it flat to dry. Wool will also pull out of shape easily when wet. Wool is also more prone to attracting bugs-moths and such during the off season while in storage.
I'd go with a blend.
100% wool is also very itchy to sew.