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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Posts: 298I've been carefully handwashing my antique mohair bear pieces, and while the two that I've done so far have come out beautifully fluffy, and aren't matted anymore, the fur isn't any less frizzy/fuzzy. I can tell from the areas near the seams that it was originally very shiny, and smoother. I know that doll hair (modern and vintage, though not mohair) can be de-frizzed and softened with steam treatment and "conditioning" with fabric softener. Is there a similar way to de-frizz mohair?
Are you sure that the fur is mohair? (The photos don't show it that way to me, but since you've been working with it, you would know better.)
Fabric softener can certainly be used, and some people use human hair products (I'd look for natural conditioners or style-shine products). In nature, lanolin makes wool nice and pliable, but it is quite heavy and a bit waxy, so if you try it, try it on a small are and distribute a small quantity very well.
Becky
Posts: 298Actually, I couldn't really tell whether it was mohair or silk plush (having never seen silk plush "in person" before). For all I know, it could ery well be the latter. The seller described it as "wool," aand seeing how smooth and shiny it was originally made me lean toward mohair. I'll try a little fabric softener on the ears, after I wash them. 
Ah, maybe it's time for the flame test! If it's mohair or wool, it will smell like singed human hair when it's burnt.
I don't know about real silk, but when teddy makers used "art silk," that was short for artificial silk. It could be rayon, nylon, etc. or possibly a blend of fibers. (I don't think that real silk plush was ever extremely common.)
I recently did the flame test - right next to the bathroom sink. I bought some fabric that turned out to be a nice, high-quality synthetic. But just to be sure, I held the edge of it over a lighter flame until it singed. Now, wool is naturally flame resistant, I'm told, but this stuff was not! As soon as it singed, it started to burn rather quickly. Fortunately, the water was inches away.
Becky
Posts: 298I was thinking of burning a little piece in a clean ashtray. If it's art silk, will it melt and turn hard?
I found this interesting chart. (It helped me to decide that my own mystery fabric is probably rayon.) http://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/ … abrics.pdf
Becky
Posts: 298Ooh, that is handy! Thanks! 
