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From: MaryW
Date: 10-10-2006, 08:18 AM (1 of 8)
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Let's have a weekly fabric discussion as we used to. I have chosen mohair to start things off. Who has sewn mohair, what did you make and how did it turn out? Did you steam it, was it hard to handle, would you sew with it again? Mohair comes from angora goats. It is soft, silky and can be light as a feather, depending on the weave. I believe it is generally blended with other fibres. Let's share our wisdom and know how for others to benefit from. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: JMom
Date: 10-10-2006, 12:11 PM (2 of 8)
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I haven't sewn with mohair, but I have knitted with it. I find I dislike the 'hairiness' of it. Or is there mohair that isn't quite so fuzzy? Jennifer |
User: JMom
Member since: 05-25-2006 Total posts: 9 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-10-2006, 12:35 PM (3 of 8)
I know the wool can be quite fuzzy, mohair fabric can be the same as well as rather coarse. If the mohair is combined with other fabrics, silk for example it feels just bootiful.  My hubby bought me a suit from this fabric and it is just beautiful. So, I guess you can say it tailors well. I'll see what else I can find out.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: MaryW
Date: 10-11-2006, 10:17 AM (4 of 8)
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This information I found in More Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina. www.sandrabetzina.com Mohair is suitable for unlined sweaters, coats or jackets. Perfect for travelling because it never wrinkles. You have to sew in the direction of the pile. Stabilize your seams with a strip of organza between the presser foot and the mohair. Lining is optional in a garment but it must hang free at the hem. Cover mohair with a press cloth and press with steam on the wool setting. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Magot
Date: 10-11-2006, 05:35 PM (5 of 8)
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I had a mohair stole once that my Dad bought for me - it was so itchy is was unwearable but it looked lovely laid across the foot of the bed. It was a Royal Stuart tartan so kind of hard to find anything to go with it - not being a member of the clan Stuart. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Sancin
Date: 10-11-2006, 09:38 PM (6 of 8)
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Jan -I am surprised that mohair caused itching. I once had a mohair stole, but found it rather warm and the colour wrong. It was not 100% mohair knit. I gave it to my mother who 30 years later gave it back to me and I dyed it. Mohair dyes beautifully and is much stronger than it appears. Again too warm so gave to a shivery friend who kept it in her office. I was given a 100% mohair throw as a wedding gift, nearly 40 years ago and it has graced my bed ever since. I have changed the colour with every redecoration and I love it when I have a little nap. It is getting a bit ratty (I don't brush it when I should) so when I retired my colleques had one made for me in colours I love and which I have draped over a chair in my living room. The new one is not 100% mohair and is a little heavier that my first one in spite of 80% mohair and it is a little itchy. The first one is feather light and one hardly knows it is touching except for the incredible warmth, much like sunshine. I have not seen a 100% mohair item for many years as even the mixed ones are very costly. Mary - I have never seen 100% mohair woven fabric (my throws are knit) and if tightly woven enough to sew I would think would be very warm. I have seen some mixed in other wool wovens, similar to cashmere in suit and coat fabric. I know it probably isn't true based on my experiences, but somehow I always think the fabric will not wear well. I have also seen woven (and knits) with rabbit hair imbedded. Now that and angora I do find just too hot and itchy because of the warmth and the furry bits seem to shed. I look forward to hearing of those who have sewn with it. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: Magot
Date: 10-12-2006, 12:00 PM (7 of 8)
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Well , my Dad said it was the hair of real Mo's - It was well fibrous - the stuff I have seen to knit with is much softer - this was very coarse and woven loosely.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: Sancin
Date: 10-12-2006, 10:17 PM (8 of 8)
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My 100% mohair throw is very loosely knit. If held up to the light one wonders how it holds together, leading to the false belief that it is fragile. The sprouting bits seem to hold it strongly together, but are very soft. During the 1960's mohair sweaters were 'in'. I had an aunt who knit me two - one black cardigan was like the Eveready battery bunny and went on and on. I cut off the buttons and was to throw it out 35 years later when a visitor demanded it. I also had a melon coloured sweater with loops in the wool. I wore it when I was a camp counsellor and was given the nick name melon. I outgrew that one and can't recall what happened to it.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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