The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Bionic on June 13, 2013, 04:26:51 pm

Title: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: Bionic on June 13, 2013, 04:26:51 pm
I have a slipper on one last and need to do the other one but I am wondering if I can machine wash (to help the felting) with the last in place.
 
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: jaykay on June 13, 2013, 08:11:38 pm
Everything I've read says throw them in the washing machine.

We've got a 'felted vessels' workshop at Guild this Saturday, which is to be done on a balloon. What I really want to do is make slippers, on polystyrene lasts............
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: Bionic on June 13, 2013, 09:04:16 pm
You can make slippers without lasts. A friend and I made some yesterday following this utube video
how to make felted wool shoes and slippers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8qHmpC_L4M#)
My friend didn't have lasts and her slippers turned out better than mine  :( . I was pleased with mine but couldn't get the lasts in.  Today I made one slipper more or less on the last and wanted to put that in the washing machine. I will wait until I make the other one first though.
Probably won't be able to get the last out when I have finished  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: jaykay on June 13, 2013, 09:28:58 pm
How good  :) Definitely going to give this a go  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 13, 2013, 10:30:52 pm
Don't know if it's my computer but the video keeps stopping every few seconds then resuming.
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: Bionic on June 14, 2013, 08:46:50 am
Lesley, it may be your computer or perhaps your broadband signal. I didn't have a problem with mine
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 14, 2013, 02:39:52 pm
It worked this time and I fancy trying these as well. I'd better try some basics first though. the only thing I did wonder is do you just let them dry now with all the soap on them or rinse them first?
Where do you buy the lasts?
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: Bionic on June 14, 2013, 05:05:19 pm
I bought the lasts from Wingham wools. They were very expensive though for what they are. My friend made a good pair of slippers without the last.
Neither of us have washed the soap out. She has dried hers in the rayburn and mine have been sitting on top of the boiler.
When I made a wall hanging in a felting class a while back we did rinse it out and then kept throwing it into the sink with quite a force. Not quite sure what that was supposed to do but it didn't seem to come to any harm
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: FiB on June 14, 2013, 05:20:15 pm
one method that I have seen is to put clingfilm/plastic bags on your feet, add all the layers, begin to felt, add another bag, put willies/loose traners on and go for a walk to finish the process!!  Seemed to work really well but I havnt tried it - also you might need a friend if you cant touch your toes!!!!! ;D
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 14, 2013, 07:18:23 pm
put willies/loose traners on and go for a walk to finish the process!!

FiB, whose willies do you suggest putting on your feet.   :roflanim:

That actually sound like a good way of doing it. May try that one.
Title: Re: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting?
Post by: FiB on June 15, 2013, 04:46:37 pm
 :roflanim:  oops :innocent: :innocent: :innocent: