Swallow-Hill Studios, where you will find a large selection of unique crafts and collectibles for the discerning collector of primitives, folk art, antiques and toys, featuring designs by Aprille Lea

READY TO MAKE A PENNY RUG?

Working with Wools

Recycling wool is one of the best ways to add that "vintage" look to your project. New or used wool should be washed before being used in any project. Washing tightens the weave and contributes to moth-proofing. Wash on a medium setting. Use a small amount of detergent with new wool, and slightly more with recycled wool. Dry on medium heat. Wool can also be dried outside on a line, but shrinkage will be reduced, and the finished piece will be wrinkled and more difficult to work. A piece of new wool fabric that is 18" x 58" before washing will usually shrink to about 16" x 50" after machine washing and drying. The amount of shrinkage will vary, depending upon the weave of the fabric and the temperatures of washing and drying. Because textured wools such as plaid, houndstooth, or herringbone are often of a looser weave, repeat washings or increased heat will help tighten these.

Transfering Patterns; Make Lots of Pennies

You can easily transfer patterns to wool using freezer paper. Lay the freezer paper, dull side up, over the pattern and trace. This is also a fast and easy way to make large quantities of pennies for penny rugs. Draw the pennies on the freezer paper in a grid, to minimize fabric waste. Use a hot dry iron, pressing the freezer paper onto the wool. Let it cool off, cut the shapes out on the lines and peel off the paper.

Tea Dyeing

Get that vintage look by tea-dyeing your fabrics!

Supplies
16 quart stainless-steel pot
3 gallons tap water
1 yard cotton, linen or wool fabric
8 ounces loose black tea
Muslin bag with drawstring
Stainless-steel strainer
Stainless-steel tongs
Mild detergent
Drying rack

In a 16 quart stainless-steel pot, bring 3 gallons tap water to a boil. Meanwhile, fill sink with cold water and thoroughly soak the fabric that is to be dyed (the fabric must be uniformly wet to accept the dye evenly).

Add the black tea, either loose or tied in a muslin bag, to the boiling water. Boil for 30 minutes to an hour (a longer boil yields a darker dye). Remove the tea bag or with stainless-steel strainer, extract leaves.

Wring out the fabric. Add the damp fabric to the dye bath. Turn off the heat and allow it to steep for several hours to overnight, agitating occasionally to ensure even dyeing and to check the color. (Bear in mind that the color may seem darker when wet.) When the fabric has reached the desired color, use tongs to remove it from the dye bath. Rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Gently wash with a mild detergent and rinse again. Wring out the fabric and hang on a drying rack to drip-dry.

Note: Before dyeing, always test a swatch of the fabric that will be used, taking careful notes of the steeping times for both the tea and fabric. Keep dye pots and utensils separate from cookware.


. home . seasonal . primitives . collectors . studio . supplies . books . order . auctions . tips & tricks . contact		READY TO MAKE A PENNY RUG? Working with Wools Recycling wool is one of the best ways to add that "vintage" look to your project. New or used wool should be washed before being used in any project. Washing tightens the weave and contributes to moth-proofing. Wash on a medium setting. Use a small amount of detergent with new wool, and slightly more with recycled wool. Dry on medium heat. Wool can also be dried outside on a line, but shrinkage will be reduced, and the finished piece will be wrinkled and more difficult to work. A piece of new wool fabric that is 18" x 58" before washing will usually shrink to about 16" x 50" after machine washing and drying. The amount of shrinkage will vary, depending upon the weave of the fabric and the temperatures of washing and drying. Because textured wools such as plaid, houndstooth, or herringbone are often of a looser weave, repeat washings or increased heat will help tighten these. Transfering Patterns; Make Lots of Pennies You can easily transfer patterns to wool using freezer paper. Lay the freezer paper, dull side up, over the pattern and trace. This is also a fast and easy way to make large quantities of pennies for penny rugs. Draw the pennies on the freezer paper in a grid, to minimize fabric waste. Use a hot dry iron, pressing the freezer paper onto the wool. Let it cool off, cut the shapes out on the lines and peel off the paper. Tea Dyeing Get that vintage look by tea-dyeing your fabrics! Supplies 16 quart stainless-steel pot 3 gallons tap water 1 yard cotton, linen or wool fabric 8 ounces loose black tea Muslin bag with drawstring Stainless-steel strainer Stainless-steel tongs Mild detergent Drying rack In a 16 quart stainless-steel pot, bring 3 gallons tap water to a boil. Meanwhile, fill sink with cold water and thoroughly soak the fabric that is to be dyed (the fabric must be uniformly wet to accept the dye evenly). Add the black tea, either loose or tied in a muslin bag, to the boiling water. Boil for 30 minutes to an hour (a longer boil yields a darker dye). Remove the tea bag or with stainless-steel strainer, extract leaves. Wring out the fabric. Add the damp fabric to the dye bath. Turn off the heat and allow it to steep for several hours to overnight, agitating occasionally to ensure even dyeing and to check the color. (Bear in mind that the color may seem darker when wet.) When the fabric has reached the desired color, use tongs to remove it from the dye bath. Rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Gently wash with a mild detergent and rinse again. Wring out the fabric and hang on a drying rack to drip-dry. Note: Before dyeing, always test a swatch of the fabric that will be used, taking careful notes of the steeping times for both the tea and fabric. Keep dye pots and utensils separate from cookware.


*Like to learn more stitches to enhance your projects? Visit our bookstore.*