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Weaving is not considered finished until it has been washed. We vigorously wash all our handwoven fabrics as they come off the looms. Shrinkage is 25-30% and it is then cohesive enough to cut and sew. If further shrinkage is desired, careful dryer time may suffice.
Water has been used to wash the dirt out of textiles for 20,000 years. It still works.

Cotton
Cotton is the easiest care. It is possible to wash using washer and dryer, inside out for garments with buttons or snaps to prevent cracking on the drum. To preserve handwoven fabric longer we recommend using gentle cycles or hand washing with mild liquid soap. Cool water will help keep colours strong. If a dryer is not used wrinkles should be pressed out while still damp or they will set, making it necessary to re-dampen. If a dryer is used, garments must be turned inside out to prevent snaps or buttons breaking on the metal drum.

Animal fibers – Wool, Wool blends, Mohair, Alpaca
The natural oils of animal fibers tend to repel dirt and should only need occasional hand washing. Agitation of any kind and rapid changes of temperature will cause shrinkage, matting and /or felting. Each fiber has minute overlapping scales, using shampoo (your hair is protein too) and conditioner will cause these scales to lie down minimizing the itch factor. Water should be squeezed or spun out in the spin cycle of your washer. Wrinkles can be shaken or lightly pressed out. Lay flat to dry.

Silk
Hand wash silk in cool water with shampoo. Press with cloth on silk setting. Lay flat to dry.

Rayon Chenille
Hand wash with liquid soap in cool water. Hang to dry, fluffing in the dryer briefly to remove wrinkles. If pressing is necessary, use pressing cloth.

Snags
Handwoven cloth occasionally snags or catches. Note the direction of the yarn pulled and grasp the fabric at a distance on either side of the snag, pulling firmly. This should ease the yarn back into place but a blunt needle or crochet hook can help complete this procedure.

Pilling
The small balls of fiber that occasionally come to the surface are easily removed by pulling them off gently. Using electric shavers or scissors should be done with extreme caution. These shorter fibers come to surface once and should not return once removed.

Short fringes
The short fringes that have been sewn into place will occasionally have longer bits come out. These can be snipped off at the length of the fringe.

Washing Instructions

Weaving is not considered finished until it has been washed. We vigorously wash all our handwoven fabrics as they come off the looms. Shrinkage is 25-30% and it is then cohesive enough to cut and sew. If further shrinkage is desired, careful dryer time may suffice. Water has been used to wash the dirt out of textiles for 20,000 years. It still works. Cotton Cotton is the easiest care. It is possible to wash using washer and dryer, inside out for garments with buttons or snaps to prevent cracking on the drum. To preserve handwoven fabric longer we recommend using gentle cycles or hand washing with mild liquid soap. Cool water will help keep colours strong. If a dryer is not used wrinkles should be pressed out while still damp or they will set, making it necessary to re-dampen. If a dryer is used, garments must be turned inside out to prevent snaps or buttons breaking on the metal drum. Animal fibers – Wool, Wool blends, Mohair, Alpaca The natural oils of animal fibers tend to repel dirt and should only need occasional hand washing. Agitation of any kind and rapid changes of temperature will cause shrinkage, matting and /or felting. Each fiber has minute overlapping scales, using shampoo (your hair is protein too) and conditioner will cause these scales to lie down minimizing the itch factor. Water should be squeezed or spun out in the spin cycle of your washer. Wrinkles can be shaken or lightly pressed out. Lay flat to dry. Silk Hand wash silk in cool water with shampoo. Press with cloth on silk setting. Lay flat to dry. Rayon Chenille Hand wash with liquid soap in cool water. Hang to dry, fluffing in the dryer briefly to remove wrinkles. If pressing is necessary, use pressing cloth. Snags Handwoven cloth occasionally snags or catches. Note the direction of the yarn pulled and grasp the fabric at a distance on either side of the snag, pulling firmly. This should ease the yarn back into place but a blunt needle or crochet hook can help complete this procedure. Pilling The small balls of fiber that occasionally come to the surface are easily removed by pulling them off gently. Using electric shavers or scissors should be done with extreme caution. These shorter fibers come to surface once and should not return once removed. Short fringes The short fringes that have been sewn into place will occasionally have longer bits come out. These can be snipped off at the length of the fringe.