RE:LOVE - Repurposed — Iron Heart, Reimagined

[Lynne]

Does anyone make paper/card?

I want to use all of our small denim scraps and threads, and thought I could make some paper/card for art/greetings cards, book covers, bookmarks etc and wondered if anyone had already made paper from fabric.

I’m currently testing 100% denim pulp; 50/50 denim/paper; same again but with added cornstarch; all with just water.

There are so many combinations though, so if anyone has any advice (or a spare Holland beater ) it would be gladly received!

[goosehd]

@Lynne Thank you for my learning lesson of the day as I had no idea what a holland beater is.

[SourPower]

@Lynne you are a mad scientist and this is epic! Can’t wait to see the results of your experimentation. I wonder if it will come out with a similar texture to washi paper?

[Lynne]

@SourPower so far it’s like a thick fibrous card

[Lynne]

Process shots:
The latest Winyl bags are nearly ready. One wabash and one 1955. Just hanging around waiting for snaps, before they join the rest of their posse to be prepped for sale.
I’ve loved making these.
They are mahoosive! Wide enough for vinyl, deep enough for wine

[Danimal506]

@Lynne Oooooo that Wabash is beautiful!

[Lynne]

@Danimal506 it is - I want to keep them all! My photos don’t do them justice. Wait til James has done his magic with them in the next week or so

[Danimal506]

@Lynne I look forward to seeing more pics!

[Ross]

COASTER LIMITED RESTOCK

[jimcasey]

Loving this cuff.

[Lynne]

@jimcasey thank you for posting! It’s a thrill to see you wearing it. Looks like it was made for you

More in the making, this time darker…

[Steve]

great video @Lynne quite hypnotic/relaxing to watch! (is the camera strapped to head?!)

[will6er]

@Lynne You make it look very easy!

[AdamC]

That is steady camera work @Lynne, you must have a head strap over there?

[Lynne]

@AdamC

[Lynne]

@will6er it is easy when everything goes to plan and the video’s edited - I’ve not posted when it got all caught up at the end, or the threading and rethreading, or the cussing etc etc

[Lynne]

When things go wrong…

Our Kansai Special belt loop machine is designed for perfect, fresh, stiff sheets of denim – the kind cut in long lengths for production lines. But when it comes to recycling, we’re not working with neat rolls of fabric… we’re working with worn, wibbly jeans that have already lived a life.

To make Reloved belt loop, we cut 32mm strips to feed into a 30mm folder – just enough bite for the feeders to grab, and just enough width to pass through without jamming…well, that’s the theory

Since jeans don’t come in metres of length, we stitch together as many smaller strips as we can. To stop it all bunching up, each piece is carved and trimmed to create a ‘smooth’ 10mm bridge – just enough to trick the machine into thinking it’s still sewing one clean sheet. We add a 10cm x 1cm “tail” – an offcut from hemming – to guide the first piece through the cutter, folder, and stitch feed. It’s the best way to minimise waste and make the most of every inch.

Of course, the Kansai wasn’t built for denim with memories. Even after ironing and hammering flat, these old pieces like to remind you they were once a knee or a thigh. They twist, shift and stretch when you least expect it – it’s particularly galling when it’s right at the start.

As you can see, every day’s a small battle and a big lesson. And I wouldn’t have it any other way ️