The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: donna on June 11, 2010, 04:04:24 pm

Title: Hi
Post by: donna on June 11, 2010, 04:04:24 pm
 Hi
I live in small village in essex and we are trying very hard to live the good life !!
and having a wonderful time .
i have had my sheep sheared today and would love to have them made into a duvet ,does anyone have any information on this .
Title: Re: fleeces into duvets
Post by: Roxy on June 11, 2010, 04:12:08 pm
Hello Donna, and welcome to the forum!!

To be honest, I have never thought about using our fleeces for a duvet, so would be interested to know more on this!!

I tend to use mine to line my hanging baskets.  Have tried to give them away, but people who wanted them were a long way away from here.  So rather than chuck them, hanging baskets seemed the sensible thing.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: donna on June 11, 2010, 04:33:58 pm
Hello Roxy
what a good idea for hanging basket i could do that too
i first heard about sheep wool duvets on the dream farm program on channel 4 and it seems such a good idea i'm just not sure how to go about it and the shearer who came today suggested trying the forum so here i am a forum first timer !!!
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Roxy on June 11, 2010, 04:54:43 pm
Its lovely on here - such helpful people.  I am sure someone will come along and be able to help with your fleece query!!
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Sandy on June 11, 2010, 05:07:33 pm
Hello Donna, been a bit busy to say hello to everyone new but  :wave: Welcome...I only have CHickens and 2 DUcks as I have a B&B so I spend a lot of time cleaning (and on here!) I would much rather be cleaning out the chickens, walking the dogs and doing the garden, never mind!!!!
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: donna on June 11, 2010, 05:19:20 pm
Hi Sandy
thank you for saying hello this seems real fun!
we have 9 sheep 9 lambs 5 GOS pigs and a saddle back lots of ducks and chickens, and a young rhea as well as dogs and cats.
B&B sounds like hard work ,i work part time as a receptionist but would love to be at home with my animals all the time .
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Daisys Mum on June 11, 2010, 07:00:58 pm

Hi Donna and welcome, I have shetland sheep and can't give the fleeces away. I usually have them shorn on the farm next door so they just throw in my fleeces with theirs. Just don't have the patience to spin and knit with them.
I have hens and ducks and 2 turkeys. My next lot of weaners arrive tomorrow so I am pretty excited they are OSBs. Oh and I also have 4 horses.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: SingingShearer on June 11, 2010, 07:47:18 pm
Welcome from the shearer :wave:

That was quick!

We haven't been home long.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: little blue on June 11, 2010, 08:28:00 pm
hello and welcome...
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: piggy on June 11, 2010, 09:23:18 pm
Hi and welcome from Suffolk.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Fleecewife on June 11, 2010, 11:40:30 pm
Hi there  :wave: If you find someone who can make duvet batts here in Britain I will be very interested too. In the States there are several mills which will scour and card into duvet sized batts, but that's there and we are here  :(.  Meanwhile, there are mills which can turn your fleeces into knitting yarn, or have them woven into blankets for your bed.  We have had some of these made from Shetland, Jacob and Hebridean wool - the Heb one is our favourite and saves our lives every winter.  I do handspin my fleeces, but with about 50 new ones every year I simply can't do them all so am always looking for new uses.  Have a look in the crafts bit and you will see a post about felt.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 12, 2010, 09:35:08 am
Hi welcome, fleece can be used as compost too, apparently its superb on sandy/free drainging soil when rotted.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Rosemary on June 13, 2010, 12:25:22 pm
Hi and welcome!

Try contacting the BBC - it might have a "Dream Farm" page on the website that can point you to the person in the programme.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Annie22 on June 14, 2010, 01:57:55 pm
Hi and welcome from Australia