WTB: HORSEHAIR AND WOOL!

[Russ Mitchell]

Shedding-out season is rapidly approaching, and so I am pulling an old project of mine off the shelves. I have wanted to make a horsehair caftan for some time. I have access to a few horses due to the charity of a friend of mine on the east coast, but in order to properly engage in the experimental archaeology I intend, I need access to more.
, and an affordable source for wool in sufficient quantity to create significant quantities of felt.
Pelt hair is fine.

My intention, if I can get enough materials, is to run through the following tests during the spring:

1. Difference in quality/ies of felted horsehair and felted wool.
2. Feasibility of mixed felting with horsehair and wool.
3. Applicability of Avar-style heavy caftan to the Jupon-like role ascribed to it in Maurice's Strategikon.
4. Applicability of period dyeing and coloring techniques to said felting.
5. Stiffen-ability of horsehair and mixed-felt, for its applicability in quivers and bowcases.

My budget is fairly circumscribed, so of course I will happily whine, grovel, write academic letters, and otherwise disgrace myself for donations. Otherwise, if you know of a source, please contact me for a price/timetable negotiation. Thanks.

[Mad Matt]

e-mail my Mom for the wool she sells basically every form of it. Including machine combed batt which would work great for felting.

ernie.stitchman@sympatico.ca

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory