Sunny Hill Fiber Mill
fiber
processing
"menu"
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fiber processing "menu" *
Read below to learn about the fiber processing options available at Sunny Hill Fiber Mill
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~required for all fiber processing orders~
By itself, this is a simple but powerful step for fiber producers who prefer processing fiber themselves but without the grime or fuss of--let's be honest--the least fun part of the fiber process. We start by opening up the fibers in our tumbler to maximize the effectiveness of the washing step. The fiber is then soaked, drained, and rinsed multiple times in our special non-agitating wash tubs using Unicorn Power Scour and Rinse. This service is an excellent a la carte option but is also required before all additional processing at Sunny Hill.
Machinery used: tumbler, wash tubs, drying rack
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Batts are the blanket-like fluff of fiber that comes off the carder, often used for felting and hand-spinning. This is a great option if you want your fiber processed into something that can be used for fiber arts or sold to fiber artists. Boundless fiber arts options await when your fiber is processed into batts!
Machinery used: tumbler, wash tubs, drying rack, picker (optional), dehairer (optional), carder
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Cloud is the same fluff of fiber as batts, but it falls with gravity off the machine and is collected into a large bag in which it will be returned to you.
Machinery used: tumbler, wash tubs, drying rack, picker (optional), dehairer (optional), carder
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Taking the batts a step further, we run them through our needle felting machine. This produces ½lb or 1lb or 1½ felt sheets that measure approximately 2' x 4'. These can be cut for sewing patterns, shoe inserts, used for home decor or for fiber art. This is an ideal choice for fiber with a shorter staple length or coarser feeling.
Machinery used: tumbler, wash tubs, drying rack, picker (optional), dehairer (optional), carder, needle felter
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Lighter, more flexible, and larger than felt sheets, felt blankets are made with a more technical and labor intensive process that creates a sheet/blanket up to 5’x5’ that fits well on a full size or queen size bed. Felt blankets can be cut into a sewing pattern, placed inside a quilt as batting, or enjoyed as a luxurious lap blanket. This processing option is somewhat customizable, but we recommend 3lbs minimum for felt blankets. This is an ideal choice for soft short fiber.
Machinery used: tumbler, wash tubs, drying rack, picker (optional), dehairer (optional), carder, needle felter
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Spun around a strong cotton string core directly off the carder, this yarn is bulky, strong, and perfect for weaving, jumbo crochet/knitting, etc. Rug yarn is a great choice for shorter length or coarser fibers that aren't well-suited for traditionally spun yarn.
Machinery used: tumbler, wash tubs, drying rack, picker (optional), carder, core-spinner
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Roving is produced when the fiber comes off the carder in a thin sliver ideally prepared to be spun into yarn. This is a great option if you want your fiber processed into something that can be used for fiber arts or sold to fiber artists. Roving is a favorite choice for hand-spinners who prefer to spin their own yarn!
Machinery used: tumbler, wash tubs, drying rack, picker (optional), dehairer (optional), carder, pindrafter
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Sunny Hill Fiber Mill does not currently offer yarn spinning services, but we look forward to spinning your fiber in the future and will update this website when the time comes.
For appropriately selected fibers, Sunny Hill will be able to spin a single ply, 2-ply, or 3-ply yarn finished as hanks, loose skeins, or onto cones. Yarn will be spun in the following weights: sport, dk, worsted, aran (heavy worsted), and bulky. Processing into yarn adds significant value to your fiber and requires the fiber to move through many different machines to produce a quality yarn.
Machinery used: tumbler, wash tubs, drying rack, picker (optional), dehairer (optional), carder, pindrafter, spinner, plyer (optional), hank winder (optional), cone winder (optional)
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The reality of fiber mill processing is that turnaround times are often longer than fiber producers would like them to be. The Patron's Reward is the best option for any client who wants to reduce that waiting time. By paying this larger upfront deposit in place of your initial intake deposit, you ensure your order will be THE NEXT order processed on our machinery. Essentially you "jump the line" of orders already waiting to be processed, significantly reducing your turnaround time. The balance of this deposit applies to your final invoice; in other words, if the total cost of processing your fiber is less than or equal to the Patron's Reward, no additional payment would be due. In the same way, if the cost of your order is greater than the Patron's Reward, the difference would be due before pickup or shipment of the order. It is worth highlighting that the Patron's Reward greatly benefits Sunny Hill Fiber Mill! It covers the bills to keep the machinery running and the mill operating. We <3 our patrons!
$50/lb
Mill Pricing
Sunny Hill Fiber Mill calculates the price of its fiber processing services by tracking how many pounds of fiber are fed through which machines. Each machine has a different pricing formula to reflect the labor and maintenance required to operate each one.
Please note that each machine’s pricing will be individually reflected on your final invoice as they are not cumulative. For example, if a client wants their fiber processed into roving, they will be charged for 1)the tumbler, 2)washing/drying, 3)either the picker or the dehairer or carder+cloud, 4)carder+rover, and 5)the pindrafter. Any questions about pricing will be clarified during our in-person consultation at the mill.
Pricing is based on arrival weight of the fiber order (hopefully incentive to SKIRT thoroughly!) for all machines up to and including the carder. Machinery used after the carder (pindrafter, yarn spinner, etc.) are priced based on the weight of the fiber after it comes off the carder.
Read the pricing for each machine below:
required for all orders
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at least 1 of these 3 required for roving + yarn
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required for roving + yarn