Tips from the Master - Papermaking with textiles and fibers by An-Sofie Vanhees

Since the late Middle Ages, paper in Western Europe has been manufactured from cellulose fibers derived from old textiles, so-called rags. Cellulose-based paper is durable, flexible, and stands the test of time very well. However, by using other raw materials or adding other materials to the pulp, one can create paper with a completely different appearance and different properties. In this Master's Tip with paper restoration expert An-Sofie Vanhees, you will experiment with textiles, fibers, flowers, plants, and color, and see what influence they have on the appearance and properties of your paper. The chemical and physical properties of paper will be briefly explained. The making of paper pulp based on rags/recycled textiles will be explained and demonstrated. Afterward, you will get to work yourself: you will learn to scoop paper based on semi-finished cellulose fibers. This results in beautiful, white, and sturdy paper. You will make paper pulp yourself, and then learn to scoop and couch the paper using a mold and deckle. Next, you will experiment and vary with the parameters of the process: you can create a watermark and change the color and effect of the paper with additives. Another option is to add flowers or leaves to the pulp. Finally, the sheets are laid out to dry. Depending on the weather conditions, the paper can also be flattened. If it is not dry enough, the paper will be flattened and pressed after the workshop, and participants can then come to pick up their scooped sheets. ,