Wool Blankets Tranformed into Wool Shirts

Our wool blankets are being made into warm clothing, thanks to
Carol Colburn of Minnesota.

Boys & Girls Wool Blanket Coats.  Photos by Scott Pederson

 

Carol teaches a two day class called
Nature's Insulator: Sew Your Own Wool Blanket Shirt. 

Students personalize the basic pattern for their preferences, then they cut and sew them in the two days.  Some are beginners at sewing; it is a pretty easy project to start on.  Often they leave the buttons and trim until they are back home.  Many learn to make the shirts in the class using the Blackstone Valley Collection from Northwest Woolen Mills, and then they go home and make the shirts out of used blankets that they wash and prepare for sewing. The two little boys in one of the photos are wearing shirts made for them out of old camp blankets.

The blanket shirts are great for the cool and often damp weather of Northern Minnesota, and I have had students from Canada making these shirts too.

Wool felt products...who knew?

There are so many items we use everyday, and never give a thought about
how or where they are made.
Author: Paulette Butler

 

Bouckaert Industrial Textiles (BIT) is a sister company to Northwest Woolen Mills.  BIT products are made in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

 

 

Industrial felt is used for stamp pads, highlighter nibs and cosmetic applicators.

 

 

 

Wool felt is used for automotive applications like gaskets and soundproofing in the
hood of our cars.

 

 

 

 

Wool felt and synthetic felt are manufactured and made in saddle pads, keeping the
horse and rider comfortable.

 

B.I.T. manufactures the felt hammers for pianos, the little felt strips on chalkboard erasers, the felt on the bottom of revolving doors and the seals for clothes dryers.  Who knew? 

 

Have a great day,
Paulette