Laundry Filter: often when shopping for clothes the dealbreaker is something about the washing instructions such as dryclean only, hand wash, lay flat to dry, etc. But I know that sometimes these recommendations can be ignored. The question is, how do I know when? [more inside]
posted on Sep 24, 2007 - 9 answers

San FranciscoFilter: Where in San Francisco can I find Mexican Oilcloth like this? [more inside]
posted on Feb 2, 2007 - 6 answers

I'm looking for a custom textile manufacturer, either in the United States or Canada. [more inside]
posted on Apr 4, 2006 - 3 answers

Preserving and protecting a textile: I have an old theater backdrop painted on muslin. It is a little water damaged but otherwise in good condition, except for fraying around the edges. How can I repair the edges and protect from future damage while displaying it? The archival sites mainly talk about storage and don't really deal with home diy ideas or tips.
posted on Sep 19, 2005 - 2 answers

My mother is spending a few weeks traveling around Thailand, partly with a group of fellow weavers, spinners, dyers and knitters and partly on her own. She's very interested in textiles and wants to visit Thai textile artists and vendors. I've suggested that she shop in Chiang Mai, where she will be for a few days, and the villages in that area, but Chiang Mai and Chatuchak Market in Bangkok are the extent of my Thai knowledge. Does anyone here have more specific recommendations for her trip?
posted on Apr 30, 2004 - 3 answers

Why do porous objects (wood, textile, hair, etc) appear darker when wet then when dry? A googling gave me this ("surface reflection and refraction"), but that doesn't sound entirely reasonable, as it merely talks of light being scattered, but the light in question is already diffuse. This also gives some suggestions, but nothing conclusive. Any chem/physics MeFiers know this?
posted on Dec 12, 2003 - 7 answers