Textile Care
All Underwood Textile Arts designs are hand crafted and woven to last. While each item may have a particular preferred method, most of the cottons and cellulose fiber are washable, wools and alpaca are to be dry cleaned. For tapestries and rugs, please see my blog posting on tapestries and rug care.
Of course some people may be worried about how to care for their heirloom woven pieces. If you are concerned about one of my hand-woven products please do not hesitate to contact me.
Shawls
This fall I came up with a design I call the 'Big Scarf'. A generous scarf that is 20 to 21 inches wide and 70 to 72 inches long. These are baby alpaca, baby alpaca with marino wool/silk, or baby alpaca with marino wool. I am weaving these in masculine colors. These will make great gifts for men and women. I can imagine borrowing my husbands in a drafty restaurant! Check out the picture at the top of the EVENTS page for an example. The 'Big Scarf' is reversible, one color on one side and another color on the other. 'Big Scarves' come with a cotton envelope/pouch for storing or carrying in your bag. Very handy for stowing on your carryon in an airplane. Dry clean only
Rugs
Handwoven rugs must be woven tight so they lay flat to the floor. I make what I call 'Not your mothers rag rugs'. I up-cycle sheets and over dye them to bright colors. Then I cut bias strips to weave. The bias strip gives the rugs a velvet look. They last for several years and wash well. My new series (shown at the top of this page) are Krokbragd weave (Norwegian for crooked road) with an Amish feel. Bright colors on a black background similar to a Amish quilt. These rugs are all cotton and machine washable and flat to dry.
Pillows and Throws
I make all my pillow tops handwoven with commercial fabric backs and a pocket for removing the pillow form and cleaning the pillow top. This increases the life and usefulness of the pillow. Throws are a generous 45 to 50 inches wide and 70 inches long. Pillow tops can be hand washed. Wool and alpaca throws are to be dry cleaned. Cotton throws are machine washable.