Experimenting with cotton wool

[halay]

I decided to make an experiment, i.e.  to felt cotton wool on wool base. First, I dyed cotton wool using synthetic dyes. This is what it looked like: i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab85/nvukadinovic/cotton%20wool%20vzorec%20010_zps2pctl40q.jpg Then in the first experimental piece  I used merino wool and put  my dyed cotton wool on top. I made a layer approximately a little thinner than  my wool and felted it. This is what came out: i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab85/nvukadinovic/cotton%20wool%20vzorec%20007_zpsrysybpns.jpg I like the texture I got but was worried a bit that by wearing,  the cotton wool might start pilling off. So in the next experimental piece I used Bergschaf wool, cotton wool on top and covered the piece with cotton  gauze to anchor it down. This is what I got: i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab85/nvukadinovic/cotton%20wool%20vzorec%20008_zpscn4iqg19.jpg My third experiment was using merino wool as a base, cotton wool on top and secured the piece by covering it with margelan silk used for lining (open weave). The cotton wool seems to be anchored well and the texture is beautiful  i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab85/nvukadinovic/cotton%20wool%20vzorec%202%20001_zpscn0lhdwf.jpg  Here is a close up  i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab85/nvukadinovic/cotton%20wool%20vzorec%202%20002_zpswnn203ld.jpg 
I like the texture and will surely use it in one of my next projects. 
Have you ever tried using cotton wool?

[tracey]

They are wonderful Nada, I like them all, the textures and colours are excellent.

[lyn]

I'd never have thought of it. I love it!

[MTRuth]

Very nice experiments Nada. And you got some great textures. I know I have tried adding cotton fibers before but I can't remember what I made. It's been quite a while ago. Perhaps it was just a sample.

[Stargazer]

Truly wonderful! Fun to see your progress in experimenting and learning. I only wish I could feel it too. Adore the colors of choice, it looks so soft! I've never even heard of cotton wool, so I was quit intrigued when I read your post.

Would do you think you could felt with these materials, regarding flexibility and softness?

[halay]

Thank you ladies for your positive comments. Stargazer, cotton wool is something you buy in every pharmacy and is used for removing make up (though cotton pads are probably more popular, I prefer to buy this one which comes in a long band). Cotton wool makes your felt thicker but still flexible. I think it might be usedd on felted coats, handbags etc.

[Stargazer]

Aaah! I have that, haha. I didn't realize. I'm quite impressed, that's a very very creative idea! And the result you got, and those colors.. two thumbs up!

[felicity]

Great samples Nada! Try kapok as well

[Pandagirl]

They are all beautiful Nada! Thnaks for explaining cotton wool. I had never heard of it. I'll have to look for it and try in day.

[halay]

This is what I had in mind by cotton wool: www.boots.com/boots-baby-cotton-wool-rolls-1-x-500g-pack-10087771
Galina, some time ago I tried kapok as well and I still have it. Thanks for reminding me.

[jwugg]

Fascinating experiments, Nada. It really was *that* sort of cotton wool, I thought it couldn't be that! Lovely results, especially with the Margelan silk.

But it set my hair on end & made me shudder, as I can't stand the feel of cotton wool, it's like fingernails on blackboards! When I tried felting for the very first time I was so sure I'd get that same feeling when pulling the roving & I was so relieved & so happy when I didn't! You just took me back to that moment.

Could it also be a good, low cost & lightweight method of making a thick felt perhaps, for a sculpture maybe, some layers of cotton wool in the centre?

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Cotton wool is actually a misnomer, since Boots' ad for cotton wool clearly states it is 100% cotton. Bits of cotton stalk and seed may be present.

[halay]

Jill, don't worry about the feel of cotton if you can't stand it. You don't pull it like wool. Once you've dyed it it the tape will change the structure, will not be fluffy any more. This means you will only be able to peel off a thin or thick layer, spread it a little and put it on wool.
Cathy, I don't know about Boots' cotton wool. The one I buy here from the pharmacy is clean (no stalks or seeds in it).

[Shepherdess]

Great textures on all of it. A great experiment.

cotton wool is cotton balls and the roll of stuff they put around your hair line when getting a perm or a dye job. You can still get cotton batten which is just a batt of cotton fiber and I think you can still get it, but harder to find, the same way you get polyester fiberfill for stuffing.

I can't remember what we used cotton batten for but I remember a roll of it in the cupboard . it was wound between blue paper so it could be unrolled.