Author Topic: Anyone used polystyrene lasts for felting? (Read 5520 times)

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.

jaykay · « **Reply #1 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............

Bionic · « **Reply #2 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
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

jaykay · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2013, 09:28:58 pm »

How good

Definitely going to give this a go

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #4 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.

Bionic · « **Reply #5 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

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #6 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?

Bionic · « **Reply #7 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

FiB · « **Reply #8 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!!!!!