Re: [lace] Ethafoam density
Hi Robin, I made a block pillow out of ethafoam planks from Hollister Metal Edge, an archival supply house...it's the dense kind that they use for archival storage...2.2 lbs/cubic foot. The pins go in easily and are held firmly. http://www.hollingermetaledge.com/modules/store/index.html?dept=1077cart=134 740716923520402 The planks I bought are white. I also have a chunk of blue from packaging, which is a little less dense. And I have some that is even less dense that I got from the IT guys at work...packaging from computers. The archival kind seems to self-heal better and doesn't break down. Hope this helps. Peg watching the last of the light fade from the sky...it's cooling down and the crickets are chirping slower From: Robin D human.m...@gmail.com To: lace@arachne.com Sent: Tue, September 11, 2012 4:01:09 PM Subject: [lace] Ethafoam density Help! I want to order some ethafoam for 2 projects. One is I want to make a block pillow. Does anyone know the right density to order? I've been told the heaviest is really hard to pin into, but when I went online I found not 2 or 3 choices, but like 6 density choices. Is it worth buying a pre-cut pillow and then just getting the foam for the other project. Thanks a hear of time for the help. Robin -- Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. - Douglas Adams - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
Re: [lace] Ethafoam
I have owned both an ethafoam and a polystyrene pillow and there is a huge difference. How the foam holds the pin is very different, the price for ethafoam is much higher, and the polystyrene breaks down in no time at all whereas the ethafoam will last a very long time. I would never recommend a polystyrene pillow. Dollar for dollar, the ethafoam far exceeds polystyrene in value. Although if you wish to talk value, a high quality straw pillow can last a very long time, I understand. None of my pillows are more than twelve years old, but it will be interesting to see which ones are still in the best shape in another twelve. Right now, my ethafoam and my better straw pillows are in great shape. I did purchase a used straw pillow that I dislike to use, I think it was not loved in its previous home as it should have been. Sherry -Original Message- From: bev walker walker.b...@gmail.com Sent: Jul 26, 2010 10:34 PM To: Jean Nathan j...@nathan54.freeserve.co.uk Cc: Lace lace@arachne.com Subject: Re: [lace] Ethafoam I still say in essence, when you're talking about lace pillows, ethafoam = polystyrene. ok the same but different. In the end, both are synthetic, and serve the same purpose for lacemakers. Evidently Dow Chemical sees to plastics varying among countries. Lace on. On , Jean Nathan j...@nathan54.freeserve.co.uk wrote: We've had this conversation many times before. Looking back through the archives at least in 2004, 2006 and 2007. -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
RE: [lace] Ethafoam
Mine, as I said previously, is known as ethafoam in America and Australia, where I live, even if it did come from England originally.it has had virtually constant use for at least 20 years and shows no sign of breaking down! On the other hand, I had a polystyrene pillow from an English supplier which didn't last me six months. Then the supplier offered to sell me an extra hard pillow - but having had experience of them, I declined. I find that the extra hard pillows tend to grab the pins and make removing them very difficult. Like others have said, a layer of something over the hard polystyrene helps, but when I found someone in America who sells ethafoam pillows, I had one of those sent out...so now I'm the happy and contented owner of two ethafoam pillows. Ruth (Sydney, Australia) -Original Message- From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] On Behalf Of Sherry Naleszkiewicz Sent: Wednesday, 28 July 2010 3:23 AM To: bev walker Cc: Lace Subject: Re: [lace] Ethafoam None of my pillows are more than twelve years old, but it will be interesting to see which ones are still in the best shape in another twelve. Right now, my ethafoam and my better straw pillows are in great shape - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair
The allergy can be from the hay/straw itself, or more likely a mold or dust product from within, even weeds that shared the field. All I know of naturally of to kill off, is a dilution of grapefruit seed extract (which is amazing for many things, even sour laundry you cannot bleach). Of course that would mean using water (or perhaps in alcohol, which could dry out the straw), so you would have to put a fan close by to dry it quickly. A fine mesh would keep things intact, but, what a lot of work. Best,Susan Reishus(envisioning your pillow smelling something like a gimlet, dressed with vodka and grapefruit seed extract). - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair
I, for one, am highly allergic to dust mites. On the pillow picture page of the Honiton Lace Shop, (http://tinyurl.com/2e8bekd) they tell you what to do about dust mites below the picture. One set of in-laws has a chest deep freezer so I always keep them in mind should I have a need. HTH Pat T. -- From: Susan Reishus elationrelat...@yahoo.com Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 9:27 AM To: post to Arachne lace@arachne.com Subject: Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair The allergy can be from the hay/straw itself, or more likely a mold or dust product from within, even weeds that shared the field. All I know of naturally of to kill off, is a dilution of grapefruit seed extract (which is amazing for many things, even sour laundry you cannot bleach). Of course that would mean using water (or perhaps in alcohol, which could dry out the straw), so you would have to put a fan close by to dry it quickly. A fine mesh would keep things intact, but, what a lot of work. Best,Susan Reishus(envisioning your pillow smelling something like a gimlet, dressed with vodka and grapefruit seed extract). - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam
I still say in essence, when you're talking about lace pillows, ethafoam = polystyrene. ok the same but different. In the end, both are synthetic, and serve the same purpose for lacemakers. Evidently Dow Chemical sees to plastics varying among countries. Lace on. On , Jean Nathan j...@nathan54.freeserve.co.uk wrote: We've had this conversation many times before. Looking back through the archives at least in 2004, 2006 and 2007. -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair
I have never yet seen ethafoam pillows in the UK. Most pillows here are polyester foam or high-density foam, but none last all that long. Then you can buy barley straw pillows, ususally around 20 domed round. I have one of these and love it. I recently bought a large pillow from Germany, filled with coconut fibre. It weighs a tonne but is sturdy and should last a lifetime, but I do not think I'll carry it to class. Agnes Boddington- elloughton UK I just got my first ethafoam pillow, and I find working on it a new experience. Until now, I've worked Torchon on a traditional straw-stuffed Belgian cookie pillow and Cantu lace on a traditional horsehair-stuffed tombolo (Italian bolster pillow). - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair
- To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair
Sorry about the empty msg--Yahoo strikes again. The text was in my Sent mail copy at least: From: Nancy Neff nnef...@yahoo.com To: Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk; Sister Claire quietasa...@gmail.com; lace@arachne.com Sent: Sun, July 25, 2010 10:09:29 AM Subject: Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair I bought my first straw-filled pillow last year, and at first I loved it. After being away from it for a couple of weeks then going back to it, however, I discovered that the 'cold' I had been fighting off the first time I used it was really allergies--I seem to be allergic to something in the stras. It's just like hay-fever, so I wonder if it has to do with when they cut the straw for the filling or if there was grass in the barley field or what. Bummer. Does anyone want to buy a $150 straw pillow from me? I'll pay shipping within eastern USA! Nancy, sneezing in Connecticut. From: Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk To: Sister Claire quietasa...@gmail.com; lace@arachne.com Sent: Sun, July 25, 2010 8:15:27 AM Subject: Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair ... Then you can buy barley straw pillows, ususally around 20 domed round. I have one of these and love it. ... I just got my first ethafoam pillow, and I find working on it a new experience. Until now, I've worked Torchon on a traditional straw-stuffed Belgian cookie pillow and Cantu lace on a traditional horsehair-stuffed tombolo (Italian bolster pillow). - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: Re: [lace] Ethafoam ...
Hi Agnes and everyone In essence, ethafoam = polystyrene , also known as polyethylene-based extruded foam, for our lace pillows. It has many uses; museums use it for packing artifacts. I first heard of the wonderful ethafoam substance for a lace pillow from Pat Hallam, from the UK! and that was quite a few years ago now. She used the name ethafoam. I hadn't heard of the term polystyrene until I saw it mentioned by Russell at SMP Lace (going back slightly less years...). Bev in Shirley BC Canada On , Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk wrote: I have never yet seen ethafoam pillows in the UK. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam ...
I had the impression that ethafoam was like memory foam, and wondered about the suitability for lace pillows, as it is rather soft adn squigy. Agnes Boddington Hi Agnes and everyone In essence, ethafoam = polystyrene , also known as polyethylene-based extruded foam, for our lace pillows. It has many uses; museums use it for packing artifacts. Bev in Shirley BC Canada On , Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk wrote: I have never yet seen ethafoam pillows in the UK. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam ...
I definitely found it soft and squidgy, but after about an hour I got used to working on it. I don't think I'd care to work on it all the time, though it does have its uses and I am not sorry I bought it. By the way, I got mine from an American supplier. Sr. Claire On Sun, Jul 25, 2010 at 21:28, Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk wrote: I had the impression that ethafoam was like memory foam, and wondered about the suitability for lace pillows, as it is rather soft adn squigy. Agnes Boddington - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: Re: [lace] Ethafoam ...
'Memory foam' as I know it is for mattresses. Ethafoam or whatever one wants to call this closed-cell polyethyl product is firm and just fine for lace pillows. I cover mine with a layer of wool fabric, felt or something else thin but cushiony to prevent the plastic 'feel' between the cover cloth and the surface. On Jul 25, 2010 11:28am, Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk wrote: I had the impression that ethafoam was like memory foam, and wondered about the suitability for lace pillows, as it is rather soft - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: Re: [lace] Ethafoam ...
Actually, ethafoam is polyethylene which is chemically different than polystyrene and they behave very differently. Polystyrene breaks down very easily, whereas ethafoam is self-healing. I've had two of my ethafoam pillows for more than ten years and they are as firm as the day I bought them with no breakdown in the center of the pillow. Ethafoam does grab the pin and it can feel a little mushy, but it is very easy to get used to. I have straw pillows as well. I tend to prefer to do large, complicated projects on the straw pillows, and I like to use my ethafoam pillows for workshops and demos because they are feather light. Sherry -Original Message- From: walker.b...@gmail.com Sent: Jul 25, 2010 12:55 PM To: Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk Cc: lace@arachne.com Subject: Re: Re: [lace] Ethafoam ... Hi Agnes and everyone In essence, ethafoam = polystyrene , also known as polyethylene-based extruded foam, for our lace pillows. It has many uses; museums use it for packing artifacts. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: Re: Re: [lace] Ethafoam ...
Google ethafoam polystyrene - interesting links. Polyethylene is a generic name for the molecular base for many plastics. On Jul 25, 2010 11:58am, Sherry Naleszkiewicz sherry.naleszkiew...@mindspring.com wrote: Actually, ethafoam is ... - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
RE: [lace] Ethafoam ...
Yes, Agnes...what I know as ethafoam is, as you say, like memory foam. Although the two pillows I own aren't soft at alljust not rock-hard like some of the polystyrene products. The material in my pillows is a bit like the stuff pool noodles are made of - just a little bit firmer. One of my pillows came from England (I think the chap who made it has given up and gone fishing or something) and the other came from the U.S.The English one is nearly 20 years old, has had constant use, and is still as good as new, unlike my pillows stuffed with other substances. Even my horsehair pillow has a very slightly soft bit in the centre. Ruth (Sydney, Australia) -Original Message- From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] On Behalf Of Agnes Boddington Sent: Monday, 26 July 2010 4:29 AM To: walker.b...@gmail.com; lace@arachne.com Subject: Re: [lace] Ethafoam ... I had the impression that ethafoam was like memory foam, and wondered about the suitability for lace pillows, as it is rather soft adn squigy. Agnes Boddington Hi Agnes and everyone In essence, ethafoam = polystyrene , also known as polyethylene-based extruded foam, for our lace pillows. It has many uses; museums use it for packing artifacts. Bev in Shirley BC Canada On , Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk wrote: I have never yet seen ethafoam pillows in the UK. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam ...
Sorry to cite my Dad as my authoritative source but he is an organic chemist and materials engineer, so... The following information is from him. Polyethylene is a specific type of plastic, made from a specific and distinct polymer. Polyethylene plastics can be produced in many different forms, such as thin sheets (e.g. many plastic wraps), molded forms (e.g. lots of plastic containers), and foams. Ethafoam, as its name might suggest, is a polyethylene foam (the type manufactured by Dow Chemical). Polypropylene and polystyrene are two other types of plastics, both chemically distinct from polyethylene. Polyethylene and polypropylene are chemically both polymers made of linear molecules, with polypropylene having single-carbon side branches at every third carbon atom in the molecular chain, which makes it a little stronger than polyethylene. Both are somewhat elastic and flexible at the molecular level, which is why the pin-holes in the polyethylene foam tend to close up and the foam doesn't break down. In contrast, the polystyrene polymer has a circular molecular shape with a methyl group sticking out from one of the carbons in the circle. Polystyrene is a more brittle plastic, even at the molecular level, which is why it breaks down with repeated pin insertions. Memory foam is probably a mixture of polyurethane with other plasticizers, but he wasn't sure of the details because he never had occasion in his work with polymers to evaluate it or work with it. Anyway, it is definitely soft and 'squidgy' and not at all suitable for lace pillows. He also told me a lot about relative flammability, resistance to solvents, etc., all of which I don't think is particularly relevant to our questions about Ethafoam lace pillows, but if anyone wants to know... ;-) This link may also be of interest since it is gives lots more information about various types of polyethylene foams: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byauth/williams/foam.html as well as a discussion from a conservator's point of view. The polypropylene foam mentioned, Strandfoam, might be interesting to try for lace pillows, since it would probably be 'tougher' and maybe firmer to the feel (but also more expensive) than Ethafoam. Hope this clarifies some of the questions about plastics that have been batted about in the last few hours. Nancy, still sweltering in our heat wave in Connecticut. From: walker.b...@gmail.com walker.b...@gmail.com To: Sherry Naleszkiewicz sherry.naleszkiew...@mindspring.com; walker.b...@gmail.com Cc: Agnes Boddington ag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk; lace@arachne.com Sent: Sun, July 25, 2010 3:31:53 PM Subject: Re: Re: Re: [lace] Ethafoam ... Google ethafoam polystyrene - interesting links. Polyethylene is a generic name for the molecular base for many plastics. On Jul 25, 2010 11:58am, Sherry Naleszkiewicz sherry.naleszkiew...@mindspring.com wrote: Actually, ethafoam is ... - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
RE: [lace] Ethafoam ...
I bought some Ethafoam through a store in Canberra once, and the constantly used block pillow I made with it several years ago shows no sign of wear. The Canberra firm no longer supplies the foam, but I've found an Australian supplier, and I know of at least one lacemaker who has visited them and purchased a sheet, says they were very helpful. Their website is at http://metrofoam.com.au/ethafoam-220.html, and at least this page shows a picture of what the stuff looks like. Noelene in Cooma, with a minus 5 degree frost this morning. nlaffe...@ozemail.com.au - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam after straw and horse hair
Hi, Just thought I'd jump in here with a possible suggestion when working on an Ethafoam pillow. Years ago I was told to put a covering of wool over the foam and between the pillow covering. I have used old wool skirts or blankets that I have washed in hot water and put in the dryer. Even my husbands old wool uniforms. This layer of wool seems to make things so much easier to work on the pillows. Feels like there is some thing for the pins to grab on to. Just my two cents worth. Patsy A. Goodman Pres. Chula Bobbin Lacers Sister Claire quietasa...@gmail.com wrote: I just got my first ethafoam pillow, and I find working on it a new experience. Ethafoam is a softer, with more give in it, as well as being smoother. It was a strange experience at first, maybe like walking on an especially thick carpet after hours on the beach. I didn't like it very much in the beginning (it felt mushy), but I got used to it after an hour's work or so, but I find that it slows me down a little. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Ethafoam ...
And here am I still working on my original sawdust pillow of 21 years. I've never had to refill it. I just turn it upside down on the floor on a cover cloth and dance on the bottom to redistribute the sawdust once in a while. Granted it is heavy to lug around but I wouldn't be without it. Shirley T. - Adelaide, South Australia with beautiful sunny days and cold, cold nights. On 26/07/2010 5:37 AM, Ruth Budge wrote: One of my pillows came from England (I think the chap who made it has given up and gone fishing or something) and the other came from the U.S.The English one is nearly 20 years old, has had constant use, and is still as good as new, unlike my pillows stuffed with other substances. Even my horsehair pillow has a very slightly soft bit in the centre. Ruth (Sydney, Australia) -Original Message- From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] On Behalf Of Agnes Boddington Sent: Monday, 26 July 2010 4:29 AM To: walker.b...@gmail.com; lace@arachne.com Subject: Re: [lace] Ethafoam ... I had the impression that ethafoam was like memory foam, and wondered about the suitability for lace pillows, as it is rather soft adn squigy. Agnes Boddington Hi Agnes and everyone In essence, ethafoam = polystyrene , also known as polyethylene-based extruded foam, for our lace pillows. It has many uses; museums use it for packing artifacts. Bev in Shirley BC Canada On , Agnes Boddingtonag...@weatherwax.karoo.co.uk wrote: I have never yet seen ethafoam pillows in the UK. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com -- J.S. S.R. Tregellas 14 Sheringa Drive, Morphett Vale, SA 5162 Electronics and Ham Radio Home Page http://www.users.on.net/~endsodds - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] ethafoam pool noodle
I wanted to comment on the use of the pool noodle. It works for a one-time or short term project. It does not hold up over a long time. I bought a travel pillow with a small roller. After making about 4 yards of narrow edging on it, the pins didn't hold very well. I discovered a valley under my pattern. Just that limited use of the central one inch had disintegrated the foam. When I took the roller apart to see what was in it, I discovered the pool noodle. It was replaced with strips of woolen fabric wrapped around the central dowel, then the fancy cover was put back on it. It's been holding up very well now, over the time of several different projects. Alice in Oregon -- snow yesterday, sun today but still cold. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
