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A selection of craft information for artisans of the HFS.


    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint

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    Posts : 81
    Join date : 2011-05-30

    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Empty How To Make Paper Out Of Lint

    Post  Admin Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:14 pm

    Have you ever wondered what you
    can do with all that dryer lint that accumulates after you do your laundry?

    Materials you will need:
    Lint
    Warm water
    Wood frames (you can use two wood picture frames) or cardboard
    Window screening
    Scissors to cut the screening
    Staple gun or hammer and nails
    Tub
    Blender
    Fabric




    Now that you have the consistency for the thickness of paper you want, be
    sure to remove any and all clumps that you can see. Make your paper-paste as
    smooth as you can.

    If you plan on using your paper for stationary or other writing purposes,
    you will want to make it ready for ink use. To prevent ink from soaking into
    your new paper, simply add two teaspoons of liquid starch into your paste mix
    and stir it well.

    Next, immerse your preparation frame into the paste, with the screen on the
    bottom. While it’s covered with the pulp, make it as level as possible, and
    slowly move the frame back and forth until there is an even layer of pulp
    covering the top of the screen.

    Once you have this layer, slowly pick up the frame, until it is hovering
    just above the sink or basin. Smooth out any areas that are still chunky
    or lumped together. Allow the screen to drip over the basin; once the water is
    drained, your new paper will begin to form! At this beginning stage, it is
    still possible to remove from or add to your paper-paste mixture to create
    the thickness you want.

    Once the frame is dry, place a t-shirt or another form of soft fabric on top
    of the newly-formed paper and press down to release any water still in it. You
    can also press out excess water with a sponge.

    Once your paper is completely dry, it’s ready to leave the frame. Very
    gently, remove the fabric; your paper should stay attached to the fabric
    instead of the screen. Once the screen and the paper are separate, without
    removing the fabric, arrange the paper on a flat surface to allow it to dry.

    Do not remove the cloth until the paper is fully dry. Once it has reached
    full dryness, gently peel it away from the fabric. Your new sheet of paper is
    complete and ready for use!




    First Soak the Lint




    The first step is to soak the lint in warm water for at
    least 30 minutes. This helps the lint to break down so that it's easier to
    blend during the next step. You should soak the lint in warm water until it
    becomes saturated and soft, the longer the better. If you have the time then
    soak the lint over night. You can also add other ingredients to be soaked in
    the water like shredded paper or leaves. Both paper and leaves will give the
    lint paper more body in the end.


    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Clip_image001


    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Clip_image003

    Make the Deckle and the Mold




    While the lint is soaking you can make the deckle and the
    mold, integral parts of paper making. The mold is a frame with screening (like
    window screening) in the center that is used to catch the lint. The deckle is a
    frame without any screening. It is placed on top of the mold and gives the
    paper smooth edges.

    Both should be the same size.

    The deckle and the mold are used together: the mold on the bottom (screen
    facing up) and the deckle on top.

    You can choose to make the frames with old wood pictures frames, or even
    cardboard covered in duct tape (so that it is water proof.)

    Make sure the screening is pulled tightly across the frame.

    To add the screening to the mold, use a staple gun or nails.


    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Clip_image005




    Blending the Lint




    The next step is to liquefy the lint in a blender.

    Scoop one cup of lint and put it in the blender, then add water to fill the
    rest of the blender until it is close to the top.

    There should be more water than lint in the blender. Blend until it is smooth
    and mushy.


    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Clip_image007

    Pour the Mush in a Tub




    After the lint is blended to a fine mush, pour it into a
    tub. I used my kitchen sink. You can also use baby bathtubs, large pans or
    buckets. Just keep in mind that the mold and the deckle will need to be able to
    fit in whatever you choose to use as your tub.

    Keep blending and pouring mush into the tub until there are a few inches of
    mush.

    Then it is time to use the deckle and the mold. Place them into the water with
    the mold on the bottom (screen side up) and the deckle on top.








    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Clip_image009


    Shift the lint


    Sift the mold and the deckle in the water until enough lint
    has been evenly collected onto the screening.

    Remove the mold and the deckle from the water and let it drip for a few
    seconds. Then remove the deckle.





    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Clip_image011




    Off the Mold and onto the Fabric




    Now place the mold face down onto a piece of fabric so that
    the lint is on the fabric.

    Use a sponge to press the lint onto the fabric and to soak up excess water.

    Then slowly lift the mold off of the fabric so that the lint is left.


    How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Clip_image013 How To Make Paper Out Of Lint   Clip_image015




    Last Step




    If you are making multiple pieces of paper, then place
    another piece of fabric on top of the lint and repeat the process. Once you are
    finished you can add books on top of the stack of fabric to flatten out the
    paper and press out the water.

    After several hours (mine took about 6 hours indoors) remove the books and
    allow the lint to completely dry.

    Once the lint is dry, you have your very own Lint Paper!

      Current date/time is Fri Mar 29, 2024 2:26 am