Orthopedic mattresses, which are so important for health, are made from sisal storage fabric. This material is also used by needlewomen to create original crafts, such as children's toys or decorative ornaments. A novice needlewoman will be able to learn what sisal is, what properties the fabric has and where it is used in practice.
How is fiber extracted?
What is sisal made of? The natural fibres are obtained from fresh leaves of the genus Agave. This is a perennial tropical plant that is used for industrial purposes. Each leaf of the plant contains a number of long, straight fibres that can be removed in a process known as decortication.
This species is grown on plantations in Asia and Africa.
Sisal - what is it, what is it made of and how is it used in practice? Mexican sisal is not subject to special processing. The leaves are crushed using a decortication machine, as a result of which the fibers are separated. They are carefully cleaned and washed with cool water. Drying in the sun is recommended.
Please note! A brush is used to process the fibers.
Making fiber from improvised means
Sisal - what is it, the question interests many manufacturers. Sisal fibers are completely biodegradable. It is a durable material, it is moisture resistant. Soy protein is used for their production, to which gelatin is added. Thanks to the modified soy protein resin, high stability is ensured. Products can withstand any mechanical or thermal impact.
Many people ask: sisal - what is it, what is its texture? Due to its unique properties, sisal is a durable material that absorbs paint. Therefore, you can find products of different shades on the market. This fabric does not contain pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Properties of sisal rope
Rope made of sisal natural fabric is durable, has visual properties, and is environmentally friendly. This product is used in the manufacture of fasteners for loading and unloading operations, as well as in construction. Some designers use this item as a decorative element.
Due to the fact that no heat treatment is used in the production of fibers, and there are no chemical additives, the ropes retain their performance characteristics perfectly. No static electricity charge occurs on the surface of the product.
Chemical composition of fibers:
- Cellulose - 65%,
- Hemicellulose - 12%,
- Lignin - 9.9%,
- Waxes - 2%.
Why is it used in mattresses?
Picture 4. Used for making mattresses
Sisal - what kind of material is it and why is it used in mattresses? Natural fibers are ideal for creating orthopedic mattresses. Recently, this type of fabric has begun to be actively used in many spectra.
Please note! To produce an orthopedic product, layers are made using dry fibers. They are also impregnated with latex.
These elements have different thicknesses. Due to their high strength, the sisal layer evenly distributes the body load along the entire length. Thus, a unique orthopedic effect is achieved. If specialists used natural sisal material in the production of mattresses, then the products will differ in the following:
- wear resistance;
- durability;
- health-improving effect;
- moisture resistance;
- withstand heavy loads.
Sisal in the interior
To decorate their favorite house, many housewives resort to various tricks. They create original crafts with their own hands using various materials. It is worth paying attention to this material, which is the most important element for creating decorative ornaments/crafts.
This type of fabric can be used as a filler to create various vessels in combination with decorative glass, soils and stones or as an outer wrapper. The filler should be used as fibrous sisal, and as a wrapper you can use both the glued and fibrous version. This way you can achieve the effect of a "fluffy" composition.
Using such an element, you can create a festive decor. Napkins that are wrapped in sisal cloth, cut into thin strips, look more beautiful. In addition, the needlewoman can create unusual rings or decorate the base of any dishes.
Please note! If the fibers are placed in a ball, the needlewoman can easily create the most original voluminous pendant or decoration on a thin stem.
How is sisal used in handicrafts
What is sisal material and what is it used for? Craftswomen often ask this question. It should be noted that natural fabric is often used in floristry. Any novice craftswoman can make hand-made items to transform the interior. Depending on the task, the craftswoman can choose either a dense or thin texture to create a craft for a holiday, for example, Easter or New Year decorations.
Topiary from sisal balls
Many people don't know that topiary made of balls is also called a tree of happiness. Their structure should not be loose or transparent. Otherwise, they will easily unravel. More durable products add extra weight to the tree. The ideal option is medium density.
When making fibers for balls, you need to take into account the length. Basically, this value should not exceed more than 38 cm. If the ball is small, then you will have to take the minimum amount of fibers. For example, a product up to 15 cm will regularly unravel. It is not recommended to use wet material. Wet, even fibers do not connect one after another. After they are painted in a different color, you need to wait for the fibers to dry.
Important! If you don’t have time to wait, then you can take a hair dryer and dry the item.
Sometimes the fabric starts to prick your hands, so you can moisten it a little. Before doing the work, the material needs to be cleaned of excess substances. It is advisable to remove very thick fibers, as they practically do not curl. If you still have to start working with such fibers, then the protruding ends of the product need to be carefully cut with scissors.
The ball should be twisted from different sides to avoid creases. You can make the product rigid using PVA glue.
Mattresses on the floor
Plant fiber mats come in delicate, natural shades:
- beige,
- marsh,
- gray,
- green,
- brown tones.
These mats do not look bright, but they are decent. Due to this, they are suitable for any house or apartment. To perform this important element in the decor, two methods are used: manual and mechanized.
Carpets that are made by hand are called kilim or sumakh. Kilim is the same on the outside and inside. Sumac is a fabric with longitudinal threads. The manufacturing process is painstaking and complex.
The most economical option is to buy a mat that is produced mechanically. Today you can find mats of any length. To obtain such a carpet, a method of interweaving natural threads or ropes of different thickness and density in a checkerboard pattern is used.
New Year's crafts from sisal
Nowadays it is common to sell original products for New Year/Easter holidays. But it is much more pleasant if you make beautiful compositions with your own hands. If you wish, you can make a Christmas tree.
To do this, you need to prepare the following:
- A skein of green (or any other) sisal yarn;
- Double sided tape;
- Wire (diameter 3 mm);
- Scissors, thread;
- Wooden skewer;
- Stand;
- Glue;
- Gypsum, water;
- Foam base;
- Decorations (snowflakes, stars, beads, lace, glitter).
The curved crown is made using wire. The pieces of wire should be cut to a length equal to half the height of the cone. The parts will have to be fixed at the top of the cone. The sisal fiber should be stretched evenly, aligned so that there are no gaps.
The cone must be covered with tape. This way, the sisal can be secured. This element should be placed on the sisal and wound in a spiral. The detail can be secured with a thread.
To make the stand strong, you need to use gypsum. Take a dry gypsum mixture, which is diluted with water. The finished mass needs to be poured inside the stand. A wooden skewer of the required length is also inserted here.
When the mixture hardens, the cone is placed on a skewer. Now you need to decorate the tree with accessories. You can hang bright beads, ribbons, stars on top.
This is an interesting and unusual fabric that allows needlewomen to bring original ideas to life. An original product made with your own hands will fit organically into any interior.
