Cotton isn't really "edible," but the folks here are so knowledgeable that I
figured I'd post the question here anyway.

I have a single cotton plant that is starting to produce fluffy white
cotton. I planted it as an experiment (it was the only one of ten seeds
that made it), and I'd like to use the cotton if possible. The plant
currently has about 30-40 unopened bolls on it, and many new flowers (and
may I just interject that I don't think any plant flower is quite as
attractive as the cotton flower?). I have looked online for ways for a
non-farmer to harvest, clean, and make cotton ready for use, but I can't
seem to find anything. It's as if hobbyists are just expected to grow it
and then do nothing else.

Does anyone know, or have links to websites that could tell me what to do
with the cotton once it is picked? All I can think of is to use it to stuff
toys, but surely there are some craft uses out there that I am not finding.
Is there an easy way to make it into fibers or threads? Thanks.
--S.

http://www.perunaturtex.com/scientif.htm
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Yarn.html

Looks like a lot of work

http://www.cottonsjourney.com/cotton...tton/page6.asp

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/vi...r-196742/view/

Suzanne D. wrote:
Cotton isn't really "edible," but the folks here are so knowledgeable
that I figured I'd post the question here anyway.

I have a single cotton plant that is starting to produce fluffy white
cotton. I planted it as an experiment (it was the only one of ten seeds
that made it), and I'd like to use the cotton if possible. The plant
currently has about 30-40 unopened bolls on it, and many new flowers
(and may I just interject that I don't think any plant flower is quite
as attractive as the cotton flower?). I have looked online for ways for
a non-farmer to harvest, clean, and make cotton ready for use, but I
can't seem to find anything. It's as if hobbyists are just expected to
grow it and then do nothing else.

Does anyone know, or have links to websites that could tell me what to
do with the cotton once it is picked? All I can think of is to use it
to stuff toys, but surely there are some craft uses out there that I am
not finding. Is there an easy way to make it into fibers or threads?
Thanks.
--S.

You will probably have a problem removing the seeds from the cotton
fiber. You would, at the least, require a set of cotton "combs". After
that you would have to spin the thread, which can be done by hand but is
laborious, then to weave the thread into fabric, which is also difficult
if you're not an experienced weaver. All of that being said, I would
just grow them as an ornamental plant and get rid of the bolls or find
someone who is experienced that could use them. YMMV

George Shirley wrote:
Suzanne D. wrote:
Cotton isn't really "edible," but the folks here are so knowledgeable
that I figured I'd post the question here anyway.

I have a single cotton plant that is starting to produce fluffy white
cotton. I planted it as an experiment (it was the only one of ten
seeds that made it), and I'd like to use the cotton if possible. The
plant currently has about 30-40 unopened bolls on it, and many new
flowers (and may I just interject that I don't think any plant flower
is quite as attractive as the cotton flower?). I have looked online
for ways for a non-farmer to harvest, clean, and make cotton ready for
use, but I can't seem to find anything. It's as if hobbyists are just
expected to grow it and then do nothing else.

Does anyone know, or have links to websites that could tell me what to
do with the cotton once it is picked? All I can think of is to use it
to stuff toys, but surely there are some craft uses out there that I
am not finding. Is there an easy way to make it into fibers or
threads? Thanks.
--S.

You will probably have a problem removing the seeds from the cotton
fiber. You would, at the least, require a set of cotton "combs". After
that you would have to spin the thread, which can be done by hand but is
laborious, then to weave the thread into fabric, which is also difficult
if you're not an experienced weaver. All of that being said, I would
just grow them as an ornamental plant and get rid of the bolls or find
someone who is experienced that could use them. YMMV

I forgot to add something. Do you have an official US gubmint cotton
allotment, you might be able to get some subsidy payments if you do. G

"Suzanne D." wrote in message
...
Cotton isn't really "edible," but the folks here are so knowledgeable that
I figured I'd post the question here anyway.

I have a single cotton plant that is starting to produce fluffy white
cotton. I planted it as an experiment (it was the only one of ten seeds
that made it), and I'd like to use the cotton if possible. The plant
currently has about 30-40 unopened bolls on it, and many new flowers (and
may I just interject that I don't think any plant flower is quite as
attractive as the cotton flower?). I have looked online for ways for a
non-farmer to harvest, clean, and make cotton ready for use, but I can't
seem to find anything. It's as if hobbyists are just expected to grow it
and then do nothing else.

Does anyone know, or have links to websites that could tell me what to do
with the cotton once it is picked? All I can think of is to use it to
stuff toys, but surely there are some craft uses out there that I am not
finding. Is there an easy way to make it into fibers or threads? Thanks.
--S.

Aside from the laborious thread/weaving, you can use the fibers in making
papers, There are many sources for making handmade papers on the net. If
there are not too many, you can smash the seeds rather than pick them out,
adds interesting texture to the paper. Try making handmade covers from your
garden for your garden notebook . Use appropriate sized picture frames from
the Dollar Two Ninety Eight Store.
Next year you might try some of the colored varieties and /or make dyes from
your plants. If you are a recycle fanatic like my SIL, use your dryer lint
in the mix.

"gunner" wrote in message news:-
Aside from the laborious thread/weaving, you can use the fibers in making
papers, There are many sources for making handmade papers on the net. If
there are not too many, you can smash the seeds rather than pick them
out, adds interesting texture to the paper. Try making handmade covers
from your garden for your garden notebook .

Wow, that's actually a really interesting idea, and would be a good use of
the relatively small amount of cotton I will be getting. It seems that
removing the seeds is a pain in the butt, so I could either cut them out
with scissors, or just crush them like you said. Do other plant fibers work
in paper? If I had, say, old corn leaves, assorted flowers, onion skins,
etc., could they be incorporated into the paper slush? Would I have to dry
them first? I think I could probably find some natural dyes around here as
well. Thanks for the idea.
--S.

"Ron Reagun" wrote in message
...
http://www.perunaturtex.com/scientif.htm
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Yarn.html

Looks like a lot of work

Yeah, it does. I'm thinking textiles are not the way to go here. Maybe
some sort of craft projects instead. Or just send them to my little cousins
because they are cool!
--S.

In article ,
"Suzanne D." wrote:

"gunner" wrote in message news:-
Aside from the laborious thread/weaving, you can use the fibers in making
papers, There are many sources for making handmade papers on the net. If
there are not too many, you can smash the seeds rather than pick them
out, adds interesting texture to the paper. Try making handmade covers
from your garden for your garden notebook .

Wow, that's actually a really interesting idea, and would be a good use of
the relatively small amount of cotton I will be getting. It seems that
removing the seeds is a pain in the butt, so I could either cut them out
with scissors, or just crush them like you said. Do other plant fibers work
in paper? If I had, say, old corn leaves, assorted flowers, onion skins,
etc., could they be incorporated into the paper slush? Would I have to dry
them first? I think I could probably find some natural dyes around here as
well. Thanks for the idea.
--S.

Left over hemp seems to be a good choice as well.
http://www.henriettesherbal.com/arch...emp-paper.html
http://forestry.about.com/od/woodsne...mp_vs_wood.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_4472282_make-hemp-paper.html
--
³When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist.²
-Archbishop Helder Camara

http://tinyurl.com/o63ruj
http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm

In article ,
"Ron Reagun" wrote:

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/vi...-into-smokeles
s-gunpowder-196742/view/

When entertainment is violence, violence becomes entertainment.
Possibly good information, but, personally, I would rather see stuffed
dolls.
--
³When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist.²
-Archbishop Helder Camara

http://tinyurl.com/o63ruj
http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm

"Billy" wrote in message
news:wldbilly-38B630.23084612092009@c-61-68-245-
Left over hemp seems to be a good choice as well.

If I had left over hemp, I wouldn't care about what to do with the cotton.
I'd probably just end up eating it.
--S.

"Suzanne D." wrote in message
...

"gunner" wrote in message news:-
Aside from the laborious thread/weaving, you can use the fibers in
making papers, There are many sources for making handmade papers on the
net. If there are not too many, you can smash the seeds rather than
pick them out, adds interesting texture to the paper. Try making
handmade covers from your garden for your garden notebook .

Wow, that's actually a really interesting idea, and would be a good use of
the relatively small amount of cotton I will be getting. It seems that
removing the seeds is a pain in the butt, so I could either cut them out
with scissors, or just crush them like you said. Do other plant fibers
work in paper? If I had, say, old corn leaves, assorted flowers, onion
skins, etc., could they be incorporated into the paper slush? Would I
have to dry them first? I think I could probably find some natural dyes
around here as well. Thanks for the idea.
--S.

The short answer is yes, all those work and you can still incorporate
flowers in the design. These links may help your research. Videos are
always good for me to get some imagination, this one is no exception.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlX87tvei7c

http://www.handpapermaking.org/beginner/index.htm

Good Luck Suzanne

In article ,
"Suzanne D." wrote:

"Billy" wrote in message
news:wldbilly-38B630.23084612092009@c-61-68-245-
Left over hemp seems to be a good choice as well.

If I had left over hemp, I wouldn't care about what to do with the cotton.
I'd probably just end up eating it.
--S.

ROLF
--
³When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist.²
-Archbishop Helder Camara

http://tinyurl.com/o63ruj
http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm

In article
,
Billy wrote:

In article ,
"Suzanne D." wrote:

"Billy" wrote in message
news:wldbilly-38B630.23084612092009@c-61-68-245-
Left over hemp seems to be a good choice as well.

If I had left over hemp, I wouldn't care about what to do with the cotton.
I'd probably just end up eating it.
--S.

ROLF

Sorry, I meant ROFL, just not myself lately. Stil it gave me a good
laugh, which I needed. Thanks.
--
³When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist.²
-Archbishop Helder Camara

http://tinyurl.com/o63ruj
http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm