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Post by paweaver on Mar 12, 2008 19:14:40 GMT -5
Christmas came to my house yesterday! Someone -bless him Lord- sent me small samples of milkweed, dogbane, flax and several other fibers along with some info about them. I want to learn to spin the natural fibers. I plan to collect dogbane, cattail, and milkweed seed this year and also check into buying flax seed. I'm going to have a very interesting garden growing . I would like to find yucca leaves, long pine needles, and maybe even some seaweed. If anyone has access to any of these fibers please contact me. I even want to try to plant yucca. Has anyone else on here experimented in making cordage with any of these fibers? I'm needing all the help that I can get! Also if anyone has seen any books that they would recommend. I would appreciate it
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Post by Cody ( The Patriot ) on Mar 12, 2008 20:44:24 GMT -5
PA I do Mission work on the Navajo Nation and there is a plant there that looks like yucca to me they use the roots to make shampoo .Wish I had some flax seeds
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Post by livesalone on Mar 12, 2008 22:52:09 GMT -5
Here in SE TX there are very few long-needle pines left. I know of one tree, which is where I get mine for my gourds, but that is all. I was told that they were all cut (old growth) and the shorter nedle ones were planted to replace them. Apparently they are not as good for lumber and the only ones you find here now are ornamentals in someones yard. If you find a source and can get more than you need, please let me know. I need alot more than I can get here. I may be able to get you some yucca leaves, but they are alot of work to remove the fibers. I will let you know if I can get some...I'll pm you, if so. Lynne
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Post by livesalone on Mar 12, 2008 23:07:23 GMT -5
Bountiful Gardens has flax and cotton seeds. Their website is www.bountifulgardens.org .They have heirloom, untreated and open-pollinated seeds. I have found quite a few things there that nobody else sells. They also sell thistles, nettles and various wheats... including the kind used for thatching roofs, in case anyone is interested. I think yucca flowers can be used for soap also. Lynne
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Post by paweaver on Mar 16, 2008 21:15:25 GMT -5
Codylingston--- be careful if you buy flax seed some of the plants have been changed and they are now grown for their flowers and not their fiber. This man that I got these samples from planted flax this past year. I'm waiting to hear how his turned out before I buy my seed. He got his seed from a Museum. I really can't claim to know much but what I have read says the Yucca can be harvested at any time. Only it and dogbane were strong enough for bow strings. Yucca was also used to make sandals. I have a book with over 300 pics of sandals and pieces of sandals. Most were made with yucca. Want to pick me some I've always wanted to try to make a pair of sandals similar to the ones in my book. I'm going to need three lifetimes to get through all my dreams and plans
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Post by paweaver on Mar 16, 2008 21:27:35 GMT -5
Lynn -- thank you for trying to get me some. I have a few ideas about where to find the pine needles but have been so busy that I have not followed them through. I will pm you if any thing works out.
Flax is suppose to be very hard work too. Maybe I'm biting of a lot. I like to knit with linen and it is so high priced that I can not afford to so the next logical step for me was to try to see if I can spin my own. This project will take me some years to bring it all about. You need a special spinning wheel to spin flax. I now have a lead on one, but it might not work out.
I'm also intrigued with spinning the natural fibers that the natives used. How far I go with it is yet to be seen. Right now the research is fun and at the very least I'll be able to say I tried.
Oh No!! Now you've started something with that seed sight. I'll be dreaming away. Seriously thanks for sharing I will probably use it.
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Post by beaudro on Mar 16, 2008 23:57:39 GMT -5
I planted flax this year, I can't find the seed name, but pa your correct , one is grown for the oil also, linseed. it will not make a very good fiber. I use the fiber i buy as linen tow for cleaning guns, and hopefully i'll grow some this year.
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