Has anyone heard of making a slurry out of felt/woolen scraps and making felt sheets out of it? I have lots of little scraps, too small for anything else, and someone I know mentioned this method, but knew very little about it.
Before I ruin a perfectly good blender, I thought I'd ask around. I've been searching on the internet for some examples, but as close as I can get is paper making. I wonder if it's the same principle, with wool fibers instead of plant fibers.
Thanks,
Hesira
The only site I found with Google is this one which says don't do it.
Sounds like papermaking to me.
Thanks for the link, Jan.
I had limited success with the cashmere sweaters. They shrunk and fulled some, but didn't produce a very dense fabric. I have 4 cashmere sweaters that I have processed, and I'm a little wary of cutting into them for fear they may unravel.
I've had varying degrees of success with the other sweaters. One fulled up so thick, I don't know if I'll be able to use it. The rest go from pretty thick to minimally fulled.
I've made a couple of eyeglass cases so far, and am working on a small purse at the moment. I'm really enjoying this process.
Hesira
it.http://discuss.gromco.com/snl/tz661.html>> Did you ever have any success with felting the cashmere sweaters? >> --
Yes, but I wondered if the animal fibers would wrap around the blade and clog it up, or if cutting the fibers up so much would inhibit them from sticking together. I've never heard of paper making with animal hair.
Hesira
I use the very heavy ones for large handbags or tote bags or slippers.
Olwyn Mary in New Orleans
Hm. Cotton lint scavenged from the seeds is routinely used in papermaking, the stuff probably has a staple of 1/16" or less. You'd be doing a lot of chopping to produce wool bits that short. Sounds like more work than it may be worth?
You're probably right. This idea was brought up by a friend who asked for cashmere lint to tie flies (I gave him some). He told me of one of his friends who uses a blender to make felt, but my friend didn't know much about it. I was wondering if it was something common or not. I guess it's not.
Thanks for the input.
Hesirsa
I was thinking of a hat for the heavy piece. It may be difficult to sew up, though.
Thanks for the idea.
Hesira
I've never felted like this (haven't done much in any case and then not well) but I'd like to comment on your blender problem.
When I made soap using an excellent method which involved using a blender I knew from laboratory experience that sodium hydroxide would attack glass so I didn't want to use my food preparation blender. I searched in flea markets and charity shops until I found the same model of blender (it didn't take long) which would fit my Kenwood and dedicated that one to the soap making.
It's well worth having a separate attachment to use for non-food processes.
Mary
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