Jon-Ersgården’s natural long-haired fells are from our own
northern Swedish breed of sheep, and in
the natural colours of the sheep and lambs. The ewes’ descent includes
"Rya", "Spelsau" and "Skogsfår" breeds. These are breeds
which make the fleece both long-haired and strong and also produce the various colours
– brown, black, beige, whitish-grey and white. The white once
and black/grey are the breed "Rya" .
In the past, these beautiful fells were called edging fells and were used to make
sleeve edgings on leather tunics, for example, in Dalecarlia.
Large fells were also made, consisting of six individual fells, for example, joined
together and edged with leather. The wool piles merged and formed a beautiful, lasting
seam.
The leather is dressed in the traditional way, using alum, salt and animal fat. The
grain surface is dazzlingly white but not waterproof. Keeping to an old tradition, we
block print this side in a pattern of our own design.
In the past, sheepskins were cleaned by placing them with the wool side against the
surface of an anthill, (formic acid). We recommend that you beat them against a frosted
crust of snow and air them when it is cold and sunny outside.