Replies

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Dec 19, 2009 02:08pm | #1

   Hi Josefly :)

   Retail/Wholesale listings of UNKNOWN or VARIOUS Fibres is a catchall for fabric that they are unable to confirm the real content of, or don't have space to list the many fibres. Your first guess by feel is probably accurate enough to start guessing at some of the content. There may also be Lycra in it. There are some good sites that will help you with burn tests. There was a past discussion that listed some good ones if you want to search. Try searching using Fabric Burn Test as your key words. Just make sure to follow the directions exactly. Burn tests can be dangerous if you are not careful, or have breathing problems. With multiple fibres, there is a good chance that it will conform to several properties. Even so, it is well worth doing. Cathy

1. 
   Josefly | Dec 19, 2009 06:45pm | #2

   Hi back to you, Threadkoe. I was hoping you would see my post - you're always so knowledgeable and helpful about fibers. I found some general information among the Threads online articles, so I'll do a burn test on my mystery knit and at least be able to tell if it's protein, vegetable, or synthetic, hopefully, by the smell - after I get over this cold and my sense of smell returns. After quite a while of frustrating searching this afternoon, I've not been able to find the Search function for the Gatherings forum. I wonder if it's been temporarily removed while some problems are being worked out? Either that, or I'm blind when I look at the pages. Thanks for your help.

   I knew I was taking a chance on getting this fabric - it was marked down, probably because of the unknown fiber content. I sometimes think Hancock's re-bolts (is that a word?) their fabric, and they lose track of what the fiber content is. On the same table, there were several bolts of fabrics which looked identical to each other except for color, and some were marked "Various Fibers" or "Mixed Fiber Content" while others showed the content as polyester, etc. None of those was identical to mine, however, so I'm totally in the dark.

1. 
   KharminJ | Dec 19, 2009 09:20pm | #3

   Happy Sunday, Josefly!

   Lots of little things to add, here ~

   ~ I believe you're right about some stores "re-bolting" (it's a perfectly good word, *even if* you just made it up!).

   ~ Got no experience with that particular pattern, but it certainly is cute!

   ~ A possible help when it's time to cut your fabric - spray starch and press the yardage - it oughta stay put better while you pin and cut it.

   ~ Hope your cold goes it's merry way quickly! 'Tis a lousy time of year to have a broken sniffer - so many good things to smell these days - baking, cooking, trees, candles ...

   ~ I see a white box marked SEARCH on the right side of the very top (brown patterned) panel. Right above the "Books & DVDs" tab. Hope that helps.

   Bright Blessings!

   Kharmin

1. 
   Josefly | Dec 19, 2009 11:29pm | #4

   Kharmin, there is still no SEARCH button up there on my pages while I'm in Gatherings. I wonder if it has something to do with the browser (Safari) I'm using. Thanks so much for checking it - but I swear it's not there. I check it out with a different browser.

   I'll remember to try the starch. I also just read in Connie Long's book, "Sewing with Knits" about cutting these very stretchy knits into pattern-sized pieces, cutting along a rib, then laying those pieces out in two layers and cutting each pattern piece separately. I think I'll have to do that.

   Thanks also for commiserating with me about my cold. This is my second cold of the season and I'm feeling quite sorry for myself - I don't have time for it - I'm not prepared for Christmas! But I am beginning to feel human again. :>)

2. 
   Josefly | Dec 19, 2009 11:47pm | #5

   Well, I'll be. It was my
   Well, I'll be. It was my browser. I'm using Firefox now, and, presto, there's the Search function, right where Vicky and you said it was. I don't like using this browser, but guess I'll have to. Thanks for helping with this - I was beginning to think I was blind.

1. 
   KharminJ | Dec 20, 2009 11:35am | #7

   Hurray! I'm glad it was a
   Hurray! I'm glad it was a "simple" fix! And I understand "don't like using this browser"! although I do use Firefox, and really don't appreciate it when I have to revert to IE (machine default)! To each their own, eh?

   Glad you're feeling better, too ~ Merry Christmas!

   Kharmin

2. 
   Josefly | Dec 20, 2009 12:32am | #6

   Cathy, employing a different browser, I was finally able to locate the Search function, and perform the search you suggested. I got just the information I needed - a great, complete-looking burn test chart. Thanks again for your help.

   Joan

2. 
   HelgaPataki | Oct 27, 2010 07:07pm | #9

   burning your sample

   Hi, I tried burn tests for yarns --  if your ashes drops and hardens, it is synthetic (poly and acrylic, etc are plastics).  if you rashes discitegrade or melt when you smudge your finger over it, it is natural.  When my yarn being burned is a blend, i experience a mixture of these 2 results.  if you smell burning hair it is wool or animal hair.  My problem with burning is that I find I have to let a few hours go by before I burn something different.  I am quite sensitive to odor and if the odor of the burned item is in the air it could linger the next item you burn could be disguised by the odor lingered.   When I do with a burn test is that I clean my kitchen stainless steel sink (because it is a lab sink) and i make sure that the sink is not dried off (I like having a wet sink for fire prevention) I light a scent free candle and use the flames.  you have to take extreme caution because I have had flames shoot up past 12 inches extremely quickly.  that is why I prefer to have a wettish sink to work my burnings in. 

1. 
   Josefly | Oct 27, 2010 05:29pm | #8

   burning your sample

   Thank you so much for your suggestions about how to carry out the burn tests on yarns.  They are good precautions to use.

1. 
   HelgaPataki | Oct 27, 2010 07:08pm | #10

   burning precautions

   Josefly, your very welcome!!  I learned from experience (lol)

1. 
   Josefly | Oct 28, 2010 11:57am | #11

   Experience

   Heh, heh.  And such an "illuminating" experience it was!  I imagine that 12" flames would put me off experimenting!

1. 
   HelgaPataki | Oct 28, 2010 08:06pm | #12

   shocking experience

   Yeah it was shocking.  I dropped it really fast. The flames just blasted right up.