Papermaking week..........

Wednesday

Well today was even more productive........earlyish start at the LCBA.......
Started by beating half a pound of abaca in the Hollander........for an hour, which may have been a bit too long because the fibres were starting to knot.....'ah' - live and learn....practice with a new machine/process!!

Recyled material pulp experiments

Next I cut up some of Simon's 100% cotton shirts. I choose two that are better brands because, maybe, they are made with good quality material and pigments.

This is a French Connection shirt and this is 60% of the fibres.

 This is a Ralph Lauren shirt which will make up the rest.

40% of the fibres.

The cut up pieces of cloth are put in the Hollander

 and after 15, 30, 45, and 1 hour 

I took samples and photos of the process.................

15 mins

30 mins

45 mins

1 hour

By now all the different fibres have become indistinguishable....they have been pulped into a state that I think will produce a rather plain blue sheet. I personally prefer

 some texture/bits that give a sheet some character -

but........the resulting pulp is definately leaning towards the blue.........which only made up 40% of the pulp..hmmmmm we'll see how the dried sample sheets look tomorrow.