flowers: [machine_needle_felting] Re: Monet's Greens

I have been away at a conference and just got back to my email. Thank you all for your explanations about the wool I posted. I learned a new word, "cloud" and I will check out these wool processors, even sending them a sample to see if they have this type of wool. I know it is of inferior quality to what a real spinner would want but it makes the best landscape effects with it's uneven chunkyness. I have purchased nepps in different sizes, shapes and fiber types and can card them in if I need to but I need the fluffy short staples that have no luster or beauty - they look beautiful to me.

Linda Hall
www.fabricartbylinda.com
www.fabricartbylinda.blogspot.com
Author of "The ART of Machine Needle Felting" book and CD

--- In machine_needle_felting@yahoogroups.com, "mitzi" <marilynsp2002@...> wrote:
>
> I believe what you are refering to as real roving is what a good number of shepards here in the USA have their wool processed into. To have my wool made into top would require that I use a different mill and pay an extra fee.
> My mill is Pufpaffs Fiber Processing in Michigan. She sells processed wool either in natural or dyed colors, batts or roving. She is a good source for felting wool. Check out her website.
>
> Most any wool can be made into roving.
> Some wool either because it is to short or tender (weak) can be processed into what my mill calls a cloud. It is not run thru the final stage that would make it into a batt or roving. This type is good for any type of felting.
> Nepps can be the result of many things...the condition of the wool as it came off the sheep, the way it was processed or perhaps a bad shearing job where lots of second cuts happened. Believe me if someone who sells their wool gets what they knew was a good fleece back from the processer full of nepps they will not be happy.
>
> A lot of wool that is sold for needle felting at places like JoAnn fabrics or other hobby stores is top. Usually Australian wool processed in China.
>
> Marilyn
>