We believe that the merino wool knitted in Finland is of superior quality, it feels luxurious and comfortable to wear. This thin and smooth natural material does not itch and is warm, breathable and soft against the skin. Merino wool is a perfect choice also because it is a durable material and rarely needs washing. Due to these wonderful properties, merino wool knitwear is perfect for sewing clothes.
We often receive messages from our customers wondering if they would dare to sew a garment made of merino wool. We definitely recommend giving it a try! Merino wool is just as suitable for sewing as jersey or stretchy sweatshirts, and sewing it is no more difficult than other materials.
Remember these points when sewing from merino wool, or when sewing merino wool:
- When cutting the pattern, make sure that the merino wool does not stretch under the pattern, as it will easily shrink after cutting and the pattern parts will be smaller than planned.
- Merino wool drapes slightly differently than, for example, jersey and for this reason for example the hem of a skirt or the leg of a trouser may feel longer when worn. However, the knit does not stretch vertically as much, so for example, in a normal legging pattern it is worth adding more height to the crotch hook so that the waist does not remain too low.
- Many people wonder whether it is worth pre-washing merino wool before sewing. We certainly recommend washing it, so that there are no surprises when washing the finished garment. At the same time, we are aware that working with merino wool is a little easier if the material has not been washed beforehand. If you pre-wash merino wool, remember to pattern the knitwear and dry it as flat as possible so that it does not stretch. If you do not pre-wash merino wool, be prepared for a little shrinkage in the wash and make sure that you cut the pieces straight across. It is a matter of taste and with both ways you will achieve a successful result!
- Make sure that your seamstress or sewing machine settings are suitable for sewing merino wool. Try sewing on a small test piece first. Too many stitches can stretch the fabric, and too few stitches can cause it to unravel. This is the same with all stretchy materials. Also check that the presser foot's pressure is not too hard, which can cause the top fabric to push through too easily. If your machine has a 'differential feed', you may want to increase it a little so that the finished seam will be less wavy.
- Be careful not to stretch the fabric when sewing. A stretched seam can pucker and the seam length will increase. Wool is very elastic and when the material stretches, for example the legs may become slightly different lengths. Let the machine feed the knit evenly, do not tighten or stretch the material and make sure that both layers move at the same speed.
Merino wool is suitable for all kinds of clothing sewing
At Ommellisen we love merino wool as a material and we wear it as soon as the weather gets colder outside. Merino wool is suitable for use all year round due to its breathability, but it feels especially lovely in autumn and winter. Did you know that merino wool is also a great material for children's layers and thermal suits?
At Ommellisen, we have sewn shirts, dresses and cardigans from merino wool, and we know that our customers have also sewn captivating outfits from wool. From a wide range In our pattern selection you will find several patterns that you can make from merino wool, jersey, and stretch cotton.
Patterns for a woolen wrap and a woolen sweater/wool dress
Woolen twist and the wool sweater/wool dress patterns were originally designed to be sewn from merino wool, but we have also seen wonderful wool sweaters made from stretch cotton and wool sweaters made from tricot. So with the same pattern you can make a variety of different outfits for different purposes!
Long cardigan pattern
Casual jacket and merino wool go perfectly together. What could be better than a warm, long cardigan that's lovely to wrap yourself in! Since the beginning of Ommellinen, the Relaxed Cardigan has been one of our favorites in our collection. It's a garment that suits different styles and occasions, and you can wear it indoors or, weather permitting, as an outdoor wear. Learn more about our lovely Relaxed Cardigan!
Pattern for a merino wool tunic and shirt
Merino wool Hug Tunic is a festive garment for example for the Christmas season. The showy pleats at the cuffs and the beautiful, falling collar bring elegance to the tunic. By shortening the pattern for the Hug Tunic you can sew yourself a lovely Pleated Shirt .
Giant shirt pattern
Merino wool Giant shirt is a customer request! The garment became hugely popular and will certainly return to Ommellinen's clothing selection as a ready-made garment. You too will fall in love with the cuteness of the Jättipaita!
Short cardigan pattern
Tulip Jacket we originally sewed from cotton knitwear, but now we love the relaxed feel and softness of merino wool. The Tulip Jacket is a simple and easy cardigan that goes wonderfully for example with Credit Shirt or Favorite Shirt.
Sew merino wool accessories
Merino wool accessories are the best! Read our blog for tips on how to sew quick and easy accessories to bring warmth. Accessories are also wonderful gift ideas that are easy to make.
We highly recommend you to try sewing merino wool! The soft and warm end result will surely reward you. You will find domestic merino wool knitwear in our online store as well as our shop in Kinkomaa. Discover and be amazed!
This is how to use Ommellinen patterns
Ommellinen patterns feature one garment per sheet, so that the sheet is visually clear and easy to interpret. The pieces include important symbols at a glance. The patterns are complete so it is easy for you to compare the pieces to your favorite garment and make sure that you're working on the right size. The pattern comes with written sewing instructions and a link to an instructional video.
The patterns are iron-on and you have (at least) three ways to use them:
1. Iron the pattern sheet directly onto the fabric.
2. Cut your own size from the sheet and iron it onto the fabric.
3. Copy the formula onto your own paper and work like a normal formula sheet.
Read more on our blog about how to use Ommellinen's patterns.
Merino wool knitted in Finland
Ommellinen's merino wool knitwear is 100% merino wool and it is knitted in Orivesi, just under 100 km from Ommellinen's workplace. Merino wool is Mulesing-free and has been treated with Superwash. Merino wool shrinks by approx. 10%. The wool can be washed in a wool wash program at 30 °C. The patterning should be done damp and the wool should be dried flat. Do not use tumble drying. Instead of washing, we recommend that merino wool be aired in the fresh air or given snow baths. The wool will freshen up when outside and any odors will disappear. Read more on our blog about how to take good care of your merino wool clothing.
