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

Caterpillar made from Felted Balls

February 16, 2021The Team at George WeilFeltmaking,Model MakingProject Ideas

It is great fun making felt balls – especially with the help from enthusiastic children! The balls can be used to make jewellery, toys, mobiles, embellishments, costume and more. Felt is made from wool fibres, and Merino wool is particularly...

COVID-19 – Stock & Website Implications

January 28, 2021The Team at George WeilNews and Celebration

In one way or another, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on all of us. George Weil & Sons Ltd has continued operating during these difficult times, providing materials and tools for artists, students and craft enthusiasts. Stock Problems...

Happy Christmas 2020 & Looking forward to 2021

December 23, 2020The Team at George WeilNews and Celebration

The team at George Weil would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Joyful Christmas and a VERY Happy New Year. With 2021 just over a week away, we will all be reflecting on the events of...

Feltmaking in a Washing Machine!

November 20, 2020The Team at George WeilFeltmaking,Model MakingChristmas,Project Ideas

A quick and easy method of making felt in a washing machine – just parcel up and throw in with your usual wash. Felt is created by agitating wool fibres until they mat together to form a non-woven fabric. The...

Ice Dyeing with Procion MX Dyes

July 27, 2020The Team at George WeilDyes & DyeingDye Recipes,Procion MX Dyes,Project Ideas

Ice dyeing is a technique for creating random patterning on fabrics (or fibres and yarns!). The dyeing method below uses Procion MX dyes on cotton fabric. Here is how Cara created her one-of-a-kind ice dyed cushion covers for her...

alice temperley natural dyeing madder - Dyes & Dyeing, News and Celebration - George Weil

Natural Dyeing with Designer Alice Temperley

March 30, 2020The Team at George WeilDyes & Dyeing,News and CelebrationNatural Dyes

We’re thrilled to have been mentioned in an article by Rachael Dove in The Evening Standard recently. “How to dye your old clothes with Alice Temperley” shares how to bring new life to discarded garments – using Fibrecrafts Natural Dyes!...

Batik Wax Printing using Procion MX Dyes

March 30, 2020The Team at George WeilDyes & DyeingBatik,Printing on Fabric,Procion MX Dyes

In Batik, melted wax is applied to fabric to act as a resist to dye or paint. The wax is applied using a carved wooden block or stamp, or free hand with a tjanting or brush. When the wax has...

Screen Printed Flamingo Fabric

January 16, 2020The Team at George WeilPrinting,Screen PrintingPrinting on Fabric

Screen printed Flamingo cushion covers! These delightful prints were created using Selectasine water-based screen printing ink and a Selectasine aluminium screen printing frame and squeegee. Find out how these screen printed flamingo fabrics were created below. Creating the Stencil for...

caras noel cane - Dyes & Dyeing, News and Celebration - George Weil

Sugar Free Polymer Clay Candy Canes

November 27, 2019The Team at George WeilModel Making,News and Celebration,Polymer ClayChristmas,Project Ideas

Candy canes look great on Christmas Trees, but how many of us remember to eat them before the decorations come down? Here’s a way to help save your teeth and save room for all the other leftover Christmas goodies. Take...

polymer clay Christmas tags - Dyes & Dyeing, News and Celebration - George Weil

Christmas Decorations made using Texture Makers

November 25, 2019The Team at George WeilNews and Celebration,Polymer ClayAll that Glisters,Christmas,Project Ideas

Here’s a festive project for polymer clay! Cara used the flexible plastic Sculpey Texture Makers to add the patterns to these clay Christmas decorations and then highlighted parts of the pattern with glistening Jacquard Pearl Ex powder. Materials & Tools...

Eco Printing by Yvonne Appleby

November 7, 2019The Team at George WeilDyes & Dyeing,PrintingBotanical Printing,Natural Dyes

Customer Yvonne Appleby has very kindly sent us some photographs of her Eco Prints on watercolour paper. Ash Leaves “My first attempt at eco printing was, to my great satisfaction and no small surprise, a success. The leaves used were...

What to do with Left Over Polymer Clay – Ring Holders

November 5, 2019The Team at George WeilJewellery Making,Model Making,Polymer ClayAir-dry Clay,Polymer Clay

Here is a quick project for using up leftover polymer clay. These ring holders were made from what remained of the FIMO clay mix that Cara used to make her coasters. There’s no need for any special tools, just a...

Silk Painting with H Dupont Classique Silk Dyes

October 10, 2019The Team at George WeilDyes & Dyeing,Silk PaintingAcid Dyes,Project Ideas,Silk

George Weil has sold litres and litres of H Dupont Classique Silk Dyes to customers over the decades. These liquid dyes are used with protein fibres such as silk, wool, feathers, mohair and cashmere, and are more popularly used by...

How to Steam Set Silk Dyes in the Microwave

October 8, 2019The Team at George WeilDyes & Dyeing,Silk PaintingDye Recipes,Painting on Fabric,Scarves,Silk

The silk painters’ favourite, H Dupont Classique dyes, provide bright and clear colour results on silk fabric. Although the iron fix silk paints offer a fair alternative, they do leave the fabric a little stiffer than a dye. This stiffness...

fimo coaster 5 6 - Dyes & Dyeing, News and Celebration - George Weil

Coasters made from FIMO Polymer Clay

October 7, 2019The Team at George WeilModel Making,Polymer ClayPolymer Clay,Project Ideas

Learn how to make these marble effect coasters made by Cara from FIMO polymer clay. The clay is available in a large choice of colours allowing you to design your coasters to complement your decor. There are also a choice...

Preparing an Indigo Dye Vat

September 25, 2019The Team at George WeilDyes & DyeingIndigo Dyes,Shibori

If you are curious about indigo dyeing this blog post may encourage you to have a go! Here we take you through the stages of preparing the indigo dye vat and dyeing your first items with this magical, ancient dye...

Make a Halloween Lantern

September 23, 2019The Team at George WeilPaper CraftsPaper,Project Ideas

Here’s a great idea for making decorations for your Halloween party – and an excellent use for empty glass jars. The project is so simple that even very young children will be able to make their own Halloween Lantern. Cara...

bowers family - Dyes & Dyeing, News and Celebration - George Weil

Barbecue at the Cottage

September 3, 2019The Team at George WeilNews and Celebration

We spend all day with each other during the week and then decide it’s a good idea to spend even more time together at the weekend! The Bowers Dynasty – Ian (our Managing Director) with his family Susan, Peter, Victoria...

Sun Printing with Jacquard Dye-na-flow

August 15, 2019The Team at George WeilPrintingPrinting on Fabric,Project Ideas,Sun Printing

We thought you would like to see the results of our sun printing using Jacquard Dye-na-flow. Jacquard Dye-na-flow are fluid paints for use on natural and synthetic fabrics. The paint can also be used to stain wood, paint on paper...

paint test polyester - Dyes & Dyeing, News and Celebration - George Weil

Paint Test on Polyester Fabric

August 7, 2019The Team at George WeilPainting,Silk PaintingPainting on Fabric

A recent enquiry from a customer wanting to paint on polyester fabric prompted us to create a swatch sample for fabric paints available from George Weil. The customer is planning to paint a motif on a wedding dress, therefore 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.

1 month 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

Caterpillar made from Felted Balls

COVID-19 – Stock & Website Implications

Happy Christmas 2020 & Looking forward to 2021

Feltmaking in a Washing Machine!

Ice Dyeing with Procion MX Dyes

Natural Dyeing with Designer Alice Temperley

Batik Wax Printing using Procion MX Dyes

Screen Printed Flamingo Fabric

Sugar Free Polymer Clay Candy Canes

Christmas Decorations made using Texture Makers

Eco Printing by Yvonne Appleby

What to do with Left Over Polymer Clay – Ring Holders

Silk Painting with H Dupont Classique Silk Dyes

How to Steam Set Silk Dyes in the Microwave

Coasters made from FIMO Polymer Clay

Preparing an Indigo Dye Vat

Make a Halloween Lantern

Barbecue at the Cottage

Sun Printing with Jacquard Dye-na-flow

Paint Test on Polyester Fabric

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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