using a blow torch on felt against pilling of wool

[halay]

I was a bit shocked when I heard about using a blow torch on felt  to avoid pilling of wool.  However, knowing that we are using some very unusual tools in felting I thought this might wok as well. 

I was curious so I found a  felted piece I had made which was very hairy and since I don't have a blow torch at home I simply wetted the piece (felt must be wet when you are doing this!) and put it briefly over a naked flame on a gas cooker. First I noticed a strong smell of burnt wool hairs and crackling sounds. Some dark spots from ashes appeared on the surface wut when I washed the piece they were gone and the surface looked OK. Well, this method looks quite promising and perhaps  could be better than shaving .I am not sure what would happen with the embellishments (silk, cotton etc). Have any of you tried this?

[MTRuth]

Nope, I haven't tried it - I would think it would be OK for wool but as you say, I think it would be a disaster on embellishments. Silk burns very easily and I think cotton and other plant fibers would burn too. Having scorched silk while ironing, I think a blowtorch would not take long to burn it completely away.

[Pandagirl]

I've never heard of it, but sounds interesting. I doubt silk or man made materials would hold up under a flame. Thanks for sharing!

[Shepherdess]

I have not tried it. I have seen them doing it to rugs in a video. cotton catches fire for sure. Thats why their are rules about cotton and children's night cloths.

[felicity]

I've heard about it and even tried once on the sample. Result was the same as Nada's. I don't use it actually because I think it's good for coarse wool and I work with fine merino mainly. If I make a cushion or similar (with a lot of wear) I make a nuno to stop pilling. I think use of nuno fabric (silk, cotton) reduce pilling so there is no need to use fire for nunofelted or embellished items.

[zed]

I seem to remember a video of someone doing it on a rug. I wouldn't trust myself, I wouldn't even trust the gas can in the house, I'm far too paranoid about things spontaneously combusting

I have ironed hairy felt though, and that does help.

[halay]

Thank you all for your answers. I might use this method with hairy wool provided there are no other fibers on my felt.

[koffipot]

I might just give this method a miss!

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Count me out! I am dangerous with a razor, but a blow torch?…eek!