The wool batting that I use to fill my products is literally the raw material you get from shearing a sheep. I like using natural "lambs' wool" batting. Essentially, this type of batting comes from the very first shearing of a sheep, usually when the animal is around 7- or 8-months-old (!) Here I imagine a soft, fuzzy lamb jumping in a discombobulated rhythm through the pasture, smelling flowers and munching on sweet meadow grass.
Lambs' wool batting can be a bit tricky to find. It has a wonderful loft and is very light, often making it the batting of choice for yarn-making and bespoke tailoring. It can even be used in haute couture designs to help secure intricate beadwork that can weigh down a garment. I feel fortunate that my local wool shop has been in business for many, many years and the options are plentiful.
 |
| Wool batting is organic and hasn't been bleached or chemically treated. |
Some "natural" facts about wool:
*Wool is a natural allergen prohibitor, which means that it doesn't serve as a suitable host for dust mites.
(If you've ever done a bit of research on dust mites, you probably wish that you hadn't! Eek!)
Exposure to dust mites can cause eczema, asthma, runny noses and itchy eyes. Bleh.
*Wool is naturally flame-resistant (who knew?!)
When I think about flame retardants, I think of asbestos, PCBs, and probably a variety of other banned materials from decades ago. I seem to worry a lot about the potential of furniture and rugs off-gassing over time, and try to buy the safest options for my family. One of the things that drives me absolutely bonkers about the house we rent is that we have some wall-to-wall carpeting in a couple of the rooms. I have no idea what it's made of or where it's from but I do know that I vacuum its twisted, synthetic fibers like a maniac. I think it's safe to say our landlord doesn't share our commitment to natural products, lol!
It would be tremendous if we all decided to bin our mattresses, rugs and cushions and then replaced everything with natural materials in one fell swoop - but that's not always realistic for individuals or growing families. Changing up items one-by-one, choosing natural materials when possible while taking care to read labels - all of these things will definitely benefit you and your loved ones over time.
*Wool is mildew-resistant
We've been living for nearly 2 years on the "Wet Coast" in Vancouver where a sunny day is defined as a day when it's not raining... Fighting moisture and damp is the trade-off for living in a fairly temperate climate with mild winters. Pardon me, did you say wool? Huzzah!
*Wool is gentle and cozy and feels oh-so-comforting against your skin. It helps regulate body temperature by drawing out moisture from the skin and bringing it to your core, keeping you much more comfortable.
Today, in between playing with the kids and folding laundry, I've been finishing up another all-natural woodland friend for the nursery collection:
100% cotton fabric, cotton thread (reg. & embroidery), lambs' wool batting. Et voilà!
It would be tremendous if we all decided to bin our mattresses, rugs and cushions and then replaced everything with natural materials in one fell swoop - but that's not always realistic for individuals or growing families. Changing up items one-by-one, choosing natural materials when possible while taking care to read labels - all of these things will definitely benefit you and your loved ones over time.
*Wool is mildew-resistant
We've been living for nearly 2 years on the "Wet Coast" in Vancouver where a sunny day is defined as a day when it's not raining... Fighting moisture and damp is the trade-off for living in a fairly temperate climate with mild winters. Pardon me, did you say wool? Huzzah!
*Wool is gentle and cozy and feels oh-so-comforting against your skin. It helps regulate body temperature by drawing out moisture from the skin and bringing it to your core, keeping you much more comfortable.
Today, in between playing with the kids and folding laundry, I've been finishing up another all-natural woodland friend for the nursery collection:
100% cotton fabric, cotton thread (reg. & embroidery), lambs' wool batting. Et voilà!
No comments:
Post a Comment