George Weil Blog & FAQs

Welcome to the George Weil Blog FAQs which includes information about the art and craft products sold on this website. There are project ideas, photographs of items created by our customers, product reviews, and step-by-step instructions. See also our USEFUL LINKS page which includes a listing of websites offering information about the products sold on our website, training resources and Guilds.

If there is anything you would like to see included here or if you would like to contribute an item, please email graphics@georgeweil.com

Wool yarn dyed with Logwood Natural Dye Extract

Dyeing with Natural Dye Extracts

September 30, 2026Allison HollandDyes & Dyeing,UncategorizedNatural Dyes

What are Natural Dye Extracts and Why Use Them for Dyeing? Natural dye extracts are a popular alternative to raw plant materials. Fibrecrafts Natural Dye Extracts provide efficiency, consistency, and professional results in textile dyeing projects: Concentrated Purity: The refined...

Double Dyeing Devore Fabric

August 4, 2026The Team at George WeilDyes & DyeingAcid Dyes,Devore,Procion MX Dyes

Double Dyeing Silk / Viscose Devore Velvet with Acid & Procion MX Dyes Silk/viscose devore velvet can be dyed in two contrasting colours by taking advantage of the different fibres in the fabric. Procion MX Fibre Reactive dyes colour the...

A Practical Guide to Natural Dyeing – How to Get the Best from Natural Dyes

July 27, 2026The Team at George WeilDyes & DyeingNatural Dyes

How to Get the Best from Natural Dyes Natural dyeing is as much about discovery as it is about understanding the process. Small variations in water, fibre, temperature and dye concentration can produce beautifully unique results, which is part of...

Spinning Wheel Flyers, Bobbins and Whorls

July 8, 2026The Team at George WeilSpinningSpinning Wheels,Yarns

Flyers, Bobbins and Whorls The design and fittings of a spinning wheel have a significant influence on the types of yarn it can produce most easily. This is one reason why many hand spinners own more than one wheel. The working...

Why Is My Dye the Wrong Colour? Major Factors That Affect Dyeing Results

June 30, 2026Allison HollandDyes & DyeingAcid Dyes,Dye Recipes,Natural Dyes,Procion MX Dyes

Whether you’re dyeing yarn, fabric, fibre, paper or clothing, one question comes up more than any other: “Why Is My Dye the Wrong Colour?”. Dozens of variables can influence the final colour. Some factors create subtle differences, while others can completely...

How to Calculate Weight of Fibre (WOF) for Dyeing

June 23, 2026The Team at George WeilDyes & DyeingAcid Dyes,Dye Recipes,Natural Dyes,Procion MX Dyes

You may have seen the abbreviation WOF used in textile dyeing and wondered what it means. Because textiles vary drastically in thickness, fibre type, and mass, dyers use a universal system called Weight of Fibre – WOF. WOF (Weight of...

Jacquard Lumiere samples on paper and fabric

Fabric Paints: A Complete Guide for Fabric, Paper & Mixed Surfaces

April 8, 2026The Team at George WeilPainting,Silk PaintingAcrylic Paints

George Weil sells a range of fabric paints from Jacquard and Deka. These water-based acrylic paints are formulated for use on natural and synthetic fabrics. Most of these craft paints can also be used on paper and card, and some...

How to Measure Warp for your Weaving Project

March 23, 2026The Team at George WeilWeavingWarping

How to Measure Warp for Your Loom (Complete Beginner-Friendly Guide) Getting your warp calculations right is one of the most important steps in weaving. Whether you’re working on a rigid heddle or multi-shaft loom, accurate warp planning ensures your project...

Screen Printing with Screen Filler and Drawing Fluid

March 12, 2026The Team at George WeilScreen PrintingPrinting on Fabric

How to create stencils on Screens using Screen Filler and Drawing Fluid. These methods of making a stencil directly on the screen mesh allow the artist to produce a series of prints using water-based screen printing inks. Printing using screen...

Screen Printing Techniques

March 11, 2026The Team at George WeilScreen PrintingDiazo Photo Emulsion,Printing on Fabric,Silk

What is screen printing? Screen printing is a versatile printing technique used to transfer images onto fabric, paper and other flat surfaces using a mesh screen and stencil. It is widely used by textile artists, printmakers and designers to create...

Silk Fibres for Spinning, Dyeing, Needle Felting and Silk Papermaking

March 5, 2026The Team at George WeilFeltmaking,Fibres,SpinningMixed Media,Paper,Silk

All you need to know about Silk Fibres Silk fibres are prized for their luxurious handle, strength and luminous sheen. These silk fibres are available in a variety of forms, each produced at different stages of the silk production process...

How to Use Procion MX Fibre Reactive Dyes

February 25, 2026The Team at George WeilDyes & DyeingDye Recipes,Procion MX Dyes

What are Procion MX Dyes? Procion MX dyes, also known as fibre reactive dyes, are the best for dyeing cellulose (plant) fibres such as cotton, linen and sisal. These dyes can also be used on silk and wool, although protein...

Handwoven Coat using Zoom Loom Squares

January 8, 2026The Team at George WeilGallery,WeavingProject Ideas

How brilliant to be able to share this image of customer Penny Symonds wearing her hand woven Duffle Coat. “This is the coat made with zoom loom squares. The hood is woven on an Ashford rigid heddle, and the binding...

A Special Announcement – November 2025

November 14, 2025The Team at George WeilNews and Celebration

After a long career, our Managing Director Ian Bowers, has finally downed tools. Forever a maverick, Ian hasn’t exited in the traditional way; he has sold the business to his employees as an EOT. George Weil, the specialist supplier of...

Silk Painting – Getting Started

November 11, 2025The Team at George WeilSilk PaintingAcid Dyes,Printing on Fabric,Silk

Silk painting can be very exciting and satisfying; colours flow easily and readily the moment the loaded brush makes contact with the silk. Pongee and Habotai silk fabrics are smooth and finely woven and the surface diffuses colour evenly. Painted scarves...

Bluefaced leicester sheep breeders association

Exploring the Merits of British Wools: A Spinner’s Guide

October 21, 2025The Team at George WeilFibres,SpinningWool,Yarns

Britain’s native sheep breeds produce an extraordinary variety of wools — from the shimmering longwools of Yorkshire to the soft, springy fleeces of the South Downs. When prepared as tops, each fibre type reveals its true personality. This guide explores...

Determining the Correct Sett (EPI) and PPI for Weaving Yarns

October 7, 2025The Team at George WeilWeavingWarping,Yarns

What do the weaving terms EPI and PPI mean? Learn how to calculate the correct sett (EPI) and picks per inch (PPI) for weaving yarns. Discover how to balance warp and weft density, choose the right sett for your fibre...

How does a Spinning Wheel Work?

September 3, 2025The Team at George WeilSpinningSpinning Wheels

Understanding the Parts of a Spinning Wheel: A Beginner’s Guide Spinning wheels have been around for centuries, transforming fibre into a yarn for knitting or weaving into a cloth. Whether you’re a fibre artist, a hobbyist, or simply fascinated by...

2 colour and Multi-colour Block Printing

March 20, 2025The Team at George WeilPrintingBlock Printing,Mixed Media,Printing on Fabric

Multi-colour prints are created from a series of cuts from the block, this is the traditional technique used for block printing. The simple example below shows how to create a 2 colour lino print. This image of the Fleur-de-Lis can...

Hand Spun Yarn on a Bottom Whorl Spindle

Hand Spinning on a Spindle

February 19, 2025The Team at George WeilSpinningSpindles

Hand spindles are an economical alternative to a spinning wheel and can create a passion for spinning in their own right. With a small amount of practice, the twisting of the fibre can create a beautiful, hand-spun yarn. As the...

Bernadette B.

1 week ago

I've been ordering George Weil dyes and cyanotype chemicals for over 16 years for the art college I work at. Great quality and spectacularly fast shipping!

Gill M.

Incredible service. Ordered my spinning wheel and within 24 hrs it was at my front door, thankyou I will certainly shop with George weil again.

Priscilla R.

2 weeks ago

I love AI and when asked, it recommended AKD as the best sizing for paper pulp for my bas relief. I searched long and hard and could only find it available in large, expensive drums. Not the sort of thing one needs for private, small-scale artwork. So, back to AI. I asked for a recommendation for a supplier who could accommodate individual artists and, voila, it gave me George Will. I just received notice that my sizing has been shipped. I’m absolutely thrilled with George Will’s warp-speed assistance and shipping. I can hardly wait to get on with my project!

Virginia Maria Ramos M.

4 weeks ago

Lovely store tucked away behind a gas station. They have anything you would need for crafts.

Bindu B.

3 months ago

I am very impressed with this business. The delivery was prompt, the goods were as described online. I had an issue with the postal service in Ireland and contacted the company. They responded straight away and were more than helpful and supportive with my situation. I would highly recommend dealing with them.

Sally C.

4 months ago

Although I've not received my order yet, dispatch was amazingly fast. Looking forward to it's arrival.

Rk K

5 months ago

I have had absolutely superb delivery service on multiple occasions with wonderful help when needed always at the end of the phone ..very friendly I really wish more stores were like them a big Thank you!

Hilary A.

6 months ago

I would like to say a huge thankyou, to everyone at George Weil, with a special shout out to Jo, who opened up the shop especially for my Son and I so that we could collect the loom that I purchased. I would also like to thank them for making the loom up for me, I didn't feel confident about building it and they stepped in and built it for me, then waited for us to arrive to collect it. Above and beyond I feel..... Thank you x x x

Michelle B.

7 months ago

Great little hobby shop. Unfortunately I didn't find what I needed as I was looking for ceramic pottery clay. They do stock dry air clay for those who use it.

Teresa W.

Very quick delivery, and the company kindly noted and perfectly met my request to deliver paper flat not folded.

Sally D.

Good stock. I love to visit to collect instead of being sent things.

Lyn W.

8 months ago

Received my order much earlier than expected; this company dispatches very quickly, even for small orders like mine. I called to add an item to my order yesterday, which was very easy to do. My order arrived today , and I am thrilled. The fibre quality Merino tops is exceptional, the best I have encountered. And the art fibres (banana thread waste from the textile industry) are GORGEOUS. This product arrives in a mixed, tangled bag of beautiful colours, but is easy to sort into shades. The threads are curled but easily straightened by wetting. I now plan to play with my new textile toys and can’t wait to see what I create. I will definitely come back to this store. The best customer service, the best fibre quality, and super-quick dispatch make George Weil the first choice for all your fibre craft needs.

Erla C.

9 months ago

I ordered a number of items on the day that the shop opened in 2026 after the Christmas break and all the products were delivered correctly in less than 24 hours. Thank you for your superb service!

Jacqueline Langer H.

10 months ago

Very pleased with Fibrecrafts natural dye kit and its speedy delivery.

YNW S.

11 months ago

Diane S.

I am consistently amazed by the efficiency of this store. Being based in North Yorkshire, I'm a long way from Guildford so order online and invariably my parcel arrives earlier than I would expect from any other seller. Brilliant service! One day I'll get to Guildford to visit you.

Lynn W.

1 year ago

An excellent company, give great support and prompt service.

Yen R.

Ordered two bobbins last night. They are already on their way to me. Now it is up to Royal mail to deliver!

Alison M.

I ordered a range of dyes and paints on Thursday and they arrived the next day! Superb items! And it was great they arrived so quick. Thanks team!

Terry S.

Good stock, very helpful.

Henrietta J.

Nora P.

I ordered a conversion kit from 4 to 8 shafts for my Lojan Flex yesterday. 24 hours later it arrived on my doorstep. Thank you once again for your wonderful prompt service of quality goods.

Response from the owner

Nora, thank you for your very positive response. We all work hard to make sure the products on our web site are in stock and that they are with you the next working day.

David S.

I recently purchased a weaving loom and stand from George Weil, when this is boxed it comes partially assembled and the rest needs to be constructed. As always I lay all of the parts out to check if they are all there, three of them were missing from the loom and the instruction booklet from the stand, I contacted George Weil and was pleasantly surprised by the response I received, firstly I spoke to Sara who was concerned about the missing parts. I laid all the parts out as per loom instruction booklet, and took pictures so they could see what was missing and emailed this together with the part numbers. This was a Friday, come Monday I recieved an email promptly explaining the situation from Jo, Jo was also very concerned about the incomplete loom and sent the appropriate parts by next day delivery, I also received the instruction booklet by pdf for the stand. I am very pleased with my loom and stand and I would like to thank both Jo and Sara for the diligence and professionalism I providing me with an exceptional service. Thanks GUY'S David

Thank you for setting out your concerns and approving the manner in which they were handled by our team. They take great pride in working with customers to make sure they are satisfied with the products we supply. There are occasions when a boxed up product supplied by a manufacturer, which, of course we must assume is complete when delivered to us, has shortages. For that reason we keep a stock of replacement parts, which came invaluable on this occasion. Now that the loom is in full working order, we all hope you get great satisfaction from your weaving. Ian Bowers Managing Director.

Della B.

Hi there , Thankyou so much for such a fantastic service. I have a new weaving student on Sunday and I was a bit worried that the loom wouldn’t be here on time, but I got it today thanks to your great service, Thanks again , kind regards Della

I am glad we met your expectations, Della. Hopefully your students will also find we provide a reliable service with products in stock and sent out the same working day as they order, for delivery the next working day.

Sukey

2 years ago

As a final year student on a tight deadline, I ran out of a product I desperately needed. Everywhere else said that it would be delivered in at least a month ( if not several). Thank goodness for George Weil who shipped same day and the product arrived the next day. Thank you so much!

Thank you for letting us know how we performed. It is really encouraging for the team to hear that they have met the standards we set ourselves of holding good levels of stock and getting orders out in quick time, then using 1st class post or courier service to have the products with you the next working day.

Vicky E.

Thank you for going out of your way to send my order so promptly

It is always a pleasure to be set a high standard of service and then hear from a satisfied customer that we achieved it!

Marly M.

Excellent, my parcel was delivered as promised and the product is exactly what I wanted.

Thank you for your review. We work hard to delight our customers and it cheers us to hear when we do.

NAPREZENT

Very help Staff and good product

Thank you for this review. We look forward to working with you in the near future.

Christopher J.

Always friendly and great selection of items

Thank you for your kind words. We aim for high standards on both of these, it is good to have your confirmation.

Barrie D.

Thank you for this ranking. It is good to hear that we have met our standards

Observer E.

Service I thought had been lost. Matched thread, sent sample, sent order all within 1 week. Fabulous!

That's made our day! Thank you. We do set ourselves a high standard; to hold good stock and dispatch orders the same day by 1st Class post or courier for next working day delivery. And it works!!

Julia S.

I put my order in on Friday morning and it was with me by lunchtime Saturday. I always get such wonderful service thank you. You are my first stop for all my weaving equipment and my first recommendation to my clients. I have never been anything but satisfied 100%.

emma A.

Absolutely brilliant first experience ordering online. Cheapest Art Clay Silver prices I have found (better than Amazon!), arrived fast and customer service was super responsive and helpful. They are 100% doing things right here :)

G H.

3 years ago

Updated August 2023. Having had afternoon tea where else to go but to this place to pick up some bits of silk to play dyeing. Perfect little basket of remnants, nicely priced, and plenty of lovely things to inspire weaving upstairs. Originally... First time here. Was not sure what to expect, but found an Aladdin's cave of crafty goodness. The pens and pencils on the way in whet the appetite for the cornucopia of paper, dyes, silk paints and mordants on the ground floor, whilst the upper floor has a fair few looms, spinning wheels, yarn, silk stuff (hankies, shredded saris and so on), as well as various bits and bobs to effectively turn fresh wool into something knitted. Wonderful place, even has a small book store holding interesting tomes for crafty people.

Tara M

4 years ago

I bought an Ashford blending board and couldn't believe how fast it arrived! I got a good deal on it from them too. Good merino in nice colours. Will definitely buy from them again!

George Weil Blog & FAQs

Dyeing with Natural Dye Extracts

Double Dyeing Devore Fabric

A Practical Guide to Natural Dyeing – How to Get the Best from Natural Dyes

Spinning Wheel Flyers, Bobbins and Whorls

Why Is My Dye the Wrong Colour? Major Factors That Affect Dyeing Results

How to Calculate Weight of Fibre (WOF) for Dyeing

Fabric Paints: A Complete Guide for Fabric, Paper & Mixed Surfaces

How to Measure Warp for your Weaving Project

Screen Printing with Screen Filler and Drawing Fluid

Screen Printing Techniques

Silk Fibres for Spinning, Dyeing, Needle Felting and Silk Papermaking

How to Use Procion MX Fibre Reactive Dyes

Handwoven Coat using Zoom Loom Squares

A Special Announcement – November 2025

Silk Painting – Getting Started

Exploring the Merits of British Wools: A Spinner’s Guide

Determining the Correct Sett (EPI) and PPI for Weaving Yarns

How does a Spinning Wheel Work?

2 colour and Multi-colour Block Printing

Hand Spinning on a Spindle

POP IN TO SEE US?

THANK YOU for signing up to our George Weil newsletter
Please check your email inbox to confirm your subscription

George Weil Blog & FAQs

THANK YOU for signing up to our George Weil newsletter Please check your email inbox to confirm your subscription

THANK YOU for signing up to our George Weil newsletter
Please check your email inbox to confirm your subscription