needle felting core?

[iowaorganic]

what do ya'll use for the 'core'? there must be a slightly cheaper alternative to pricy roving right?

[tinasquirrel]

I use the wool batting that I also use to stuff toys. It has shorter fibers, but works great as the inner core.

[iowaorganic]

Ah hah! I knew there had to be something! Do you know of a good online resource for the wool batting?

[PNWmama]

Originally Posted by tinasquirrel

I use the wool batting that I also use to stuff toys. It has shorter fibers, but works great as the inner core.

I do the same thing.

West Earl Woolen Mill has the best price for wool batting -- it's a bit under $6 a pound. They don't have a website but here is their contact info:

110 Calico Creek Rd Ephrata, PA 17522 717-859-2241

[NoliMum]

Originally Posted by PNWmama

I do the same thing.

West Earl Woolen Mill has the best price for wool batting -- it's a bit under $6 a pound. They don't have a website but here is their contact info:

110 Calico Creek Rd Ephrata, PA 17522 717-859-2241

Ditto.

The new Living Crafts magazine has a huge list of wool resources. West Earl is listed in there, and it looks like they definitely have the cheapest price for wool batting (it's like 50 cents an ounce!!). I bought 3 pounds at once and I think it'll last me a year!

[iowaorganic]

Geez- I even looked through the LC to try to find something- Thank You so much! I will be calling them this afternoon!

[tinasquirrel]

Just a comment on West Earl, someone posted just today or yesterday on another group I'm a part of asking for recommendations for buying core fiber for her needle felted dolls. She used to get the wool from West Earl, but said that they had recently changed their wool, and it was more fluffy now, and was not felting up as well for her needs in terms of being the core of her dolls.

I have no personal experience, just passing that along.

[iowaorganic]

Originally Posted by tinasquirrel

Just a comment on West Earl, someone posted just today or yesterday on another group I'm a part of asking for recommendations for buying core fiber for her needle felted dolls. She used to get the wool from West Earl, but said that they had recently changed their wool, and it was more fluffy now, and was not felting up as well for her needs in terms of being the core of her dolls.

I have no personal experience, just passing that along.

hmmm- I already called and the very sweet lady said that it works.... not too sure if I will know the difference anyway? I should get it next week and will post how it works!

[tinasquirrel]

Yes, please let us know! I think she was probably a pretty avid crafter, and may just have really high standards.

[Hibou]

I buy old wool sweaters at thrift shops, chop them up into the right size pieces, and use these for the core. Way cheap.

[SleeplessMommy]

Originally Posted by Hibou

I buy old wool sweaters at thrift shops, chop them up into the right size pieces, and use these for the core. Way cheap.

Our local thrift shop will sell them for 25-cents if there is a hole in them

You can also use thrums (short yarn bits) from other projects.

Many times, I have made the core with fabric + yarn wrap and them machine felted for greater density - then needle felted over that.

[abharrington]

what is machine felt?

[Think of Winter]

Originally Posted by abharrington

what is machine felt?

I think she means in the washing machine.

Is that you, Mandie? Come hang out in Yarn Crafts once in a while!

Colleen (big fan of Sheepy pants)