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Member since 1/12/04
Posts: 6312
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Posted on: 9/29/07 11:32 PM ET
I went to Walmart tonight an picked up a bolt of fabric to use for test garments. I thought I might get a pair of pants out of it to wear too. So I do a burn test on it and it smelled strongly like burnt hair, but it doesn't really feel like wool or silk. Even now it smells strongly of burnt hair. It could have a tiny bit of wool in it. It didn't burn very well and didn't have the hard plastic balls around the edge like poly does. The edge is more wooden.

Does anyone have any ideas? This means I can't use it for muslins. I guess I will have to go shopping again.
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Marilyn

January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 5885
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Posted on: 9/30/07 0:31 AM ET
Wool is naturally flame retardant, so there usually isn't a fast burn. When fabrics are hard to identify, they're usually blends. Sometimes you can unweave the fabric threads and burn the lengthwise and crosswise threads separately. They can be different fibers, and it can help determine the blend.
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
  
Member since 3/2/04
Posts: 2073
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Posted on: 9/30/07 8:34 AM ET
Your description of the burn and smell definitely says wool, to me. Maybe try washing a measured square of it, and see what happens.

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Ardis

the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
  
Member since 1/12/04
Posts: 6312
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Posted on: 9/30/07 8:58 AM ET
I'm thinking wool or wool blend too. It has a bit of that scratchy feel, but did shrink up around the edges. There was none of that black smoke or balling up so I don't think there is poly, but maybe some rayon? Anyway even DH thinks it was a steal. I now have a muddy sage green with teal and camel pinstripe wardrobe in waiting. It is very trendy for this season, so I guess that is a good thing.
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Marilyn

January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
  
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Member since 7/21/06
Posts: 3642
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Posted on: 9/30/07 10:40 AM ET
In reply to mastdenman
I live in NC, home of many textile companies; occasionally I find these fabrics at WM that seem to be just fantastic quality for almost nothing! They often are labeled as 'remnant' or 'roll end' with 'fiber content unknown'. I have a skirt and a tunic-dress made of this fantastic lightweight wool that was on the dollar table. I bought 5 yards. I wish I had bought more!

I wish I were better at ID'ing 'the good stuff'-- it always seems so hard to me. You guys seem to have it down well.
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Cindy Lou, no more than 2
"Sew, Esmerelda! Sew like the Wind!" -Martin Short, The Three Amigos
"When inspiration calls, you don't send it to voicemail." --Will I Am.
  
Member since 3/11/07
Posts: 2074
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Posted on: 9/30/07 10:48 AM ET
Nylon can smell like burnt hair to me. Maybe that's the blend?
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Needle Needle Straight and Slim, Dust and Sweep the House for Him! --Grimm Fairy Tales
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 8572
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Posted on: 9/30/07 3:23 PM ET
In reply to Lady_Mame
Quote:
'fiber content unknown'.
Yeah, I've sewn quite a bit of Unknown. Are you telling me that it isn't a DuPont fiber?

Marilyn, it sounds as if you found some good stuff. Congratulations....whatever it is.
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“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'



  
Member since 1/12/04
Posts: 6312
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Posted on: 10/1/07 9:40 AM ET
Thanks for the input. I guess I will have one of those 5 piece wardrobes out of the mystery stuff and enough of it to not to worry about having to redo something. I do think it is a light weight wool blend. Not sure what the blend is though.
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Marilyn

January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
  
Member since 8/23/04
Posts: 75
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Re: METS FABRIC (posted on 10/2/07 10:48 AM ET)
does any one know where i can get some METS MLB fabric? My son-in-law is a major fan and loves to show his daughter(my granddaughter)off is his team's logo. I've searched the web looking for METS and have found every othe team but! Surely, one of us will know!
  
Member since 8/23/04
Posts: 75
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Re: METS FABRIC (posted on 10/2/07 10:48 AM ET)
does any one know where i can get some METS MLB fabric? My son-in-law is a major fan and loves to show his daughter(my granddaughter)off is his team's logo. I've searched the web looking for METS and have found every othe team but! Surely, one of us will know!
  
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