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Post by tracey on Nov 22, 2016 19:45:30 GMT
The soap is only to act as a lubricant is it not? How about putting the bare amount of soap onto your hands, then when you have enough movement, quit the soap?
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Post by MTRuth on Nov 22, 2016 20:30:57 GMT
The pH change of the soap actually helps to open the scales of the wool fiber so that they felt together more easily. But you don't have to use it.
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Post by Shepherdess on Nov 22, 2016 23:30:23 GMT
The other thing soap does is act as a wetting agent allowing the wool to get wet.
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Post by lyn on Nov 23, 2016 7:25:05 GMT
Yes, it does act as a lubricant e.g. when you're shaping a 3D vessel, the soap helps to protect the surface of the felt from the friction of your hands.
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Post by tracey on Nov 24, 2016 16:10:26 GMT
Lyn did you resolve your rinsing issue? Did the project go well?
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Post by halay on Nov 24, 2016 16:55:55 GMT
Has anyone made felt then not rinsed it at all - just let the felt dry with the soap in it? How did the felt last? I once knew a textile artist who made felt then stitched all over it. Interestingly she never rinsed her felt but she was confident enough to sell her works of art. Reason I'm asking is because I'm making something and I fear that I will not be able to re-shape it after I've drowned it! I was told that if you leave soap in felt, moths will not attack it. Who knows.
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Post by lyn on Nov 24, 2016 17:48:47 GMT
Lyn did you resolve your rinsing issue? Did the project go well? In the end I decided to play safe and rinse it. Did it go well? Ermmm, not sure if I like it yet. Interesting comment from Nada above! Sometimes the greeny/browny colour from the olive oil soap discolours the felt - it's especially noticeable on white - but rinsing in tepid water cures that, so that would be one very good reason for rinsing!
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Post by Shepherdess on Nov 24, 2016 18:02:30 GMT
So far I have not noticed that moths are very picky.
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Post by tracey on Nov 24, 2016 18:42:48 GMT
So far I have not noticed that moths are very picky. I have never encountered moths, what do you all suggest I wrap my wares in to keep it all safe? - body armour??!!
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Post by Pandagirl on Nov 24, 2016 18:59:01 GMT
Perhaps plastic bins Tracey. I've never had a problem, but I do keep my wool in plastic bins.
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Post by tracey on Nov 24, 2016 19:24:58 GMT
Yes I was wondering about plastic bags, I'm no expert but I'm guessing they won't chomp plastic.
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Post by Shepherdess on Nov 24, 2016 23:05:05 GMT
I never have trouble with things in bins. Its always a bag that was left open but under something so its always in the dark.
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Post by viltmaaraan on Dec 2, 2016 7:52:22 GMT
I rinse my felted object with eucalan, special for wool and anti moth.
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Post by lindsay on Jul 15, 2018 18:39:55 GMT
Has anyone made felt then not rinsed it at all - just let the felt dry with the soap in it? How did the felt last? I once knew a textile artist who made felt then stitched all over it. Interestingly she never rinsed her felt but she was confident enough to sell her works of art. Reason I'm asking is because I'm making something and I fear that I will not be able to re-shape it after I've drowned it! I know this is a rather old thread but thought I’d add my cautionary tale. I made a white 3D shell thing that I wasn’t very happy with so I left it and hadn’t rinsed it because it wasn’t finished & I sort of forgot about it. It went very yellow because of the soap (olive oil). I did try rinsing it after but it didn’t come up properly white. May be less of a problem with colours but I always rinse in dilute vinegar as a final rinse. I can’t see that having something full of soap could be a good thing and I know soap tends to be alkaline so it does make sense to neutralise that with acid. I’ve also read that it helps to close down the scales but I’m not sure whether that’s the case.
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Post by MTRuth on Jul 15, 2018 20:30:34 GMT
Thanks Lindsay!
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