Would you use this fabric?

[Jes'sBeth]

Hey all...

There's a fairly soft wool blend at one of the online stores that I frequent that I was thinking of trying for diaper covers/ longies. It's a melton wool blend that's made of 85% wool, 5% cashmere, 10% acetate. I I got a sample and it's reasonably soft... definately as soft as some of the recycled sweaters I've made and it's reasonably cheap ($7.61/yd CAD)

Anyone see a reason why it wouldn't work? The cashmere and acetate aren't going to throw everything off are they? (what sort of lovely beastie grows cashmere again?)

[orangecanoe]

I have some all cashmere wool covers and they work really well. I know some people sew with wool/lycra blends (I think 3-5% lycra maybe??) --my guess is that it would work or be worth a try at least---and great price!

[lilsishomemade]

Is it machine washable? I think wool that is machine washable has been treated so it doesn't work as well as natural wool. Otherwise, I say go for it!!

[seekermage]

It sounds yummy! Can you have them cut you a swatch of it that you can try felting, or maybe lanolising and see how waterproof it might be? I know the store here if you ask for a swatch will cut you a pretty decent size, otherwise maybe buy a little and either try it out, or make a cute purse or something with the scraps. Good luck you will have to let us know how it works!

[Jes'sBeth]

it's an online store. The swatch I have is pretty small maybe 3 inches by 3 inches. I think I'll give it a go just for the heck of it. I'll let you know how it works! (I think it's time I broke into the world of FOE. I'm feeling brave these days since I managed to sew elastic into my prefitteds with a 3 step zigzag effectively. I'm so chuffed with myself! It's probably time to try something new just to take the edge off my ever growing ego!)

[our3boys]

I have a question on the acetate. I have seen fabrics that were not machine washable b/c of this fiber (I think they have a MUCH higher content of it, though). I saw a nursing bra made from acetate that said it was washable but would be completely ruined if you forgot and put it in the dryer. But many years ago I made a shirt from a fabric containing a higher percentage of acetate (may have been 100%, even). I prewashed and dried the fabric and it thickened up *considerably*, but was fine after the first washing. It was one of my favorite shirts. So....probably you won't have any problems with 10% acetate, but I would prewash that sample and see what happens. Just thought I'd throw that out there and it probably isn't good for much...