On Thu, 24 Jul 2003 12:16:45 -0400 (EDT), Gail wrote: >I managed with considerable difficulty to find a manufacturer of "engineering felt" >in >Canada. It is available in numerous densities (some so firm it is impossible to >insert a >pin!) and fibres. I bought 1 1/2 inch thick, pure wool felt of a density suitable >for >holding pins firmly. I cut a circle and mounted it onto a plywood base. It works >wonderfully. > >I was considering offering them for sale, but my test client thought it was heavy. >It is >much heavier than Styrofoam or Ethafoam and is about twice as heavy as a straw >pillow. >It is also quite expensive. The felt for a 22" pillow was almost $100.00 Canadian. >The >one advantage is that it would last forever. I am contemplating making a block >pillow.
I bought blocks in Germany which are supplied by Gabrielle Kister-Schuler. These have a layer of polystyrene underneath, with a layer of felt on top. The total thickness is probably about 3cm, of which I estimate no more than 1cm is felt. This pillow is my favourite surface to work on, the felt provides a nice soft top but holds the pins firmly. Gabrielle does make luxury full felt blocks, but I didn't think that they would be any better to use - however I haven't tried them so don't know for sure. So consider making layered blocks to reduce both the weight and the cost. -- We have the highest authority that the meek shall inherit the earth; though I have never found any particular corroboration of this aphorism in the records of Somerset House. F. E. Smith Steph Peters [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm> - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED]
