Ashhurst - Pohangina, Ashhurst

Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Ask a Crewcut Lawn & Garden expert (and an ex-Black Caps coach!) now. Head here.

1520 days ago

Abaca: The Queen of Natural Fibres

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

Abaca is a natural leaf fibre that comes from a relative of the banana tree family native to the Philippines that grows throughout tropical regions. It is also called Manilla hemp, though it is not related to actual hemp.

Abaca has great economic importance and is harvested for its strong, … View more
Abaca is a natural leaf fibre that comes from a relative of the banana tree family native to the Philippines that grows throughout tropical regions. It is also called Manilla hemp, though it is not related to actual hemp.

Abaca has great economic importance and is harvested for its strong, versatile fibre. Being regarded as the strongest natural fibres in the world, abaca can be put into various modern sophisticated technologies like the automobile industry and as a raw material for other important industries such as textiles, fashion, and the décor/furnishing industry.

Abaca is commonly used by the paper industry for such specialty uses such as tea bags, banknotes, filter papers and in medical filter sheets. While it is currently used mostly in paper products, abaca has a long history in textiles. Abaca fabric has a stiff quality and holds its structure (it is considered a hard fibre and is comparable in texture to sisal and coir). It has a very long fibre length and is one of the strongest fibres - flexible, durable, and highly resistant to saltwater damage. For these reasons it has been used over time for rope and cording. It can also be woven into home and fashion accessories including wall coverings, rugs, tapestries, and bags. It can be used to make handcrafts such as hats, bags, carpets, clothing, and furniture.

Abaca is generally considered to be a sustainable, environmentally friendly fibre that can empower communities. It has been identified by the United Nations as a “Future Fibre”. That said, not many standards and certifications are used for abaca, so transparency and doing your own due diligence around environmental and social impact are very important when sourcing. The Rainforest Alliance currently certifies some abaca farms.

The harvesting and extraction of fibre from abaca is painstaking process which involves many processes. Stripping and drying of fibres is either done manually or mechanically. After extraction, different grades of fibres are obtained which are then accordingly used for different set of industrial activities.

The world's leading abaca producer is the Philippines. While the crop is also cultivated in other Southeast Asian countries, the second largest producing country is Ecuador, where abaca is grown on large estates and production is increasingly mechanized. Almost all abaca produced is exported, mainly to Europe, Japan, and the USA. Exports from the Philippines are increasingly in the form of pulp rather than raw fibre.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

1520 days ago

Manawatu Tattoo 2020

Feilding from Feilding

During this weekend, members of Feilding Brass took part in the Manawatu Tattoo 2020 along side BrasandBrass. The first gig we have have attended this year due to Covid. We had a blast. Feels good to get out and play for the public. Stay tuned for our next playout.

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1521 days ago

Holidays are here!

NumberWorks'nWords Palmerston North

We know that our team here at NumberWorks'nWords are looking forward to recharging the batteries over the holidays while preparing for more fun with maths and English in Term 4.
We hope you all have a great break, and have the chance to relax and have some fun with your families!

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1522 days ago

Rolled Arm chair (For Lounge).

Scott from Hokowhitu

Red in Colour In Excellent cond.. Has matching cushions (x2).
Not leather.
Can Deliver in Palmy if needed.
Phone Or Txt On 027 3308336.

Price: $45

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1522 days ago

Red Cross Christmas Fair in the Square

Jill from Hokowhitu

Whoops, wrong email address on earlier posting. Correct address below.

Palmerston North’s popular Red Cross Christmas Fair is all set to go again in the Square this year on Sunday December 6. This is the same day as the Christmas Parade. Stall holders please let us know you are interested by … View more
Whoops, wrong email address on earlier posting. Correct address below.

Palmerston North’s popular Red Cross Christmas Fair is all set to go again in the Square this year on Sunday December 6. This is the same day as the Christmas Parade. Stall holders please let us know you are interested by contacting us on pnrcxmasfair@gmail.com Or phone Maureen on 027 3249754

1525 days ago

Why 2021 will be the year of the long weekend

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hey neighbours,

Good news – 2021 is set to be the year of the long weekend.

Five out of 10 public holidays will be Mondayised (or Tuesdayised in one case) next year, which means if you work a standard Monday to Friday week, you can look forward to some extended breaks.

In fact, once … View more
Hey neighbours,

Good news – 2021 is set to be the year of the long weekend.

Five out of 10 public holidays will be Mondayised (or Tuesdayised in one case) next year, which means if you work a standard Monday to Friday week, you can look forward to some extended breaks.

In fact, once you’ve tacked on the weekends, you’ll end up getting a whopping 25 days off out of those 10 stat days, plus your region’s anniversary day.

To find out how to get the most out of your annual leave next year, click here.

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1524 days ago

Ducklings

Reyna from Feilding

Hi all, we rescued a duckling on Monday and he is doing really well but is quite lonely. if anyone has one or finds one, please let us know so we can give Wobbles a friend. Thank you.

1524 days ago

Do you get our free gardening ezine?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

In this week’s issue we say avocados are the fruit we all long to grow. It’s time to plant salad greens in containers, inspire junior gardeners, turn lawns into new garden beds and repot and feed hippeastrums.

We list 10 trees to plant to attract birds to your garden for shelter and a … View more
In this week’s issue we say avocados are the fruit we all long to grow. It’s time to plant salad greens in containers, inspire junior gardeners, turn lawns into new garden beds and repot and feed hippeastrums.

We list 10 trees to plant to attract birds to your garden for shelter and a year-round food supply. Plus go in the draw for fertiliser and soil enhancer from Fodda and there’s another chance to win Mr Fothergill’s ultimate garden pack.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:

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1524 days ago

Are you having trouble heating or cooling your home?

The team from EnergySmart - Palmerston North

Chances are your insulation is not performing optimally, it is a problem that is far more common than most people realise.

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1524 days ago

Textile Testing - Seam Slippage

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

Seam Slippage is one of four key topics (others include Abrasion Resistance, Pilling, and Colourfastness) that we are covering to provide some background as to how we test and why.

Test results provide us with critical information about textile’s durability and suitability for certain … View more
Seam Slippage is one of four key topics (others include Abrasion Resistance, Pilling, and Colourfastness) that we are covering to provide some background as to how we test and why.

Test results provide us with critical information about textile’s durability and suitability for certain applications. We externally test all James Dunlop and Mokum textiles in Melbourne at a highly reputable laboratory who are amongst the most conservative and stringent in the world, due to the extremely harsh environmental conditions we face here in Australia and New Zealand.

We have gathered a number of frequently asked questions relating to seam slippage, so we asked our Mokum Studio designers Stephanie Moffitt and Annie Moir to share their expert knowledge.

Seam slippage is another equally important upholstery test, can you explain what seam slippage actually means?
Seam slippage is the separation or pulling apart of yarns in a fabric usually along a sewn seam or join. More often than not, the yarns don’t actually break they just separate and leave an unsightly gap along the fabric join.

What are the most common causes for seam slippage?
Seam slippage may be the result of a poorly constructed textile and /or the use of defective yarns in the fabric. But more commonly it is due to an inadequate standard of upholstery manufacturing i.e. a display of insufficient seam allowance, a deficient number of stitches in the seam or failure to overlock raw edges during the upholstery process – or a combination of all three factors.
Seam slippage usually occurs on joins that are subjected to heavy load and pressure such as seat cushions and arm rests. Certain furniture styles put more stress on fabric seams such as tub chairs and furniture with a fixed back or seat cushions.

Can composition play a part in seam slippage?
Yes, it can, Linen for example is loved for being a smooth lustrous fibre, but this can make it more susceptible to seam slippage with heavy load. For some linen textiles we would recommend discussing the need for reinforcing upholstery seams with your upholstery manufacturer.

The note “reinforce upholstery seams” is sometimes listed on our sampling specifications – what does it actually mean? Should we assume the fabric is inferior quality?
Firstly, no it doesn’t infer inferior quality. If we’ve specified it as being suitable for upholstery then it is fit for purpose, but we recommend additional seam support for that particular textile.
“Reinforce upholstery seams” simply means using an additional safeguard by stitching a tape along the seam to prevent fraying in high load areas, such as the corner back cushions. Overlocking should be used for loose woven fabric and seated cushion seams.

What’s the remedy for seam slippage? Can you fix it once it starts?
It is difficult to repair seam slippage once it starts. In almost all instances of seam slippage, it will require the furniture to be recovered, or re upholstered. It’s important to ascertain the cause of the seam slippage. If the seam slippage can be identified as being a result of inadequate manufacturing, you’ll need to work with the upholsterer to ensure appropriate manufacturing techniques are being used, including reinforcing seams if required. If the seam slippage is clearly related to the fabric, the furniture would need to be recovered, either from a different batch (if it’s an isolated batch issue) or selecting an alternative fabric which is more suitable for that particular frame.

Can you explain how the seam slippage test is performed?

The test measures how resistant a fabric is to yarns opening/ slipping under pressure along a seam line. Two fabric swatches are sewn together with a standardised seam. The swatches are pulled apart with an equal and opposite force. The test is performed in both warp and weft directions. Any seam opening is then measured while the fabric swatches are being pulled apart. According to the Australian standard, a seam opening should be less than 6mm at maximum force. A lower result indicates a smaller opening and thus a better resistance against seam slippage.


Written by: jamesdunloptextiles.com...

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1525 days ago

Indoor plants

Rieladri from Palmerston North Central

Hey guys, any indoor plants for sale?

1524 days ago

What is double glazing?

RetroFit Double Glazing - Taranaki

What is double glazing? We’ve put together some information that might help you with your research if you're considering getting retrofit double glazing click here to read. If you’re interested, we offer a free no obligation quote click here or call us on 0800 658 658.

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1524 days ago

Exceed retractable insect screens

Exceed - we fix windows and doors

Keep out annoying bugs and enjoy the warmer weather ☀️?
With a whiff of Spring in the air now, you can start thinking about Summer…
Exceed’ s retractable insect screens for windows and doors are the perfect solution to enjoy a bug free and spray free home ?

Our clever screens can be pulled… View more
Keep out annoying bugs and enjoy the warmer weather ☀️?
With a whiff of Spring in the air now, you can start thinking about Summer…
Exceed’ s retractable insect screens for windows and doors are the perfect solution to enjoy a bug free and spray free home ?

Our clever screens can be pulled into place when needed, then pushed back into a discrete, tidy cassette when not in use.

✅They are smooth and easy to operate

✅They are stylish, robust and a significant innovation over old-style hinged or sliding screens that were permanently visible all year round

✅They can be colour matched to your joinery

✅They provide natural ventilation

✅They fit most window and door configurations including, hinged, bi-fold, sliders and French doors

Keep the bugs and mozzies away ?

Give us a call today on 0800 25 25 00 so we can make sure your order is placed early and the screens are ready for summertime!

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1527 days ago

Poll: Taking on your town's te reo name

Reporter Manawatū Standard

Mōrena kiritata,

A push to use Levin’s Māori name Taitoko has stalled and the councillor who backed the move says she’s surprised at the negative reaction to the idea.

In 2018 Horowhenua named its draft town centre strategy “Transforming Taitoko” and councillor Victoria Kaye-Simmons … View more
Mōrena kiritata,

A push to use Levin’s Māori name Taitoko has stalled and the councillor who backed the move says she’s surprised at the negative reaction to the idea.

In 2018 Horowhenua named its draft town centre strategy “Transforming Taitoko” and councillor Victoria Kaye-Simmons said it would also be nice to acknowledge the town's traditional name.

It has not featured since and Kaye-Simmons a faced backlash after speaking out.

What's the traditional Māori name for your town, and would you support its use?

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Taking on your town's te reo name
  • 40.7% I know the name, and no I wouldn't use it.
    40.7% Complete
  • 24.9% I know the name, and yes I would use it.
    24.9% Complete
  • 26.2% I don't know the name, but I wouldn't use it.
    26.2% Complete
  • 5.1% I don't know the name, but yes I wouldn't use it.
    5.1% Complete
  • 3.1% I'm not sure.
    3.1% Complete
413 votes
1524 days ago

Paint a hat box

The Team from Resene ColorShop Feilding

Turn a cardboard lidded hat box into a stylish piece of home décor using Resene testpots, with a tribal twist.

When painting with a tribal theme, throw perfection out the window and embrace crooked lines, texture, and less than perfect paint techniques to get a more organic result.

Make the most… View more
Turn a cardboard lidded hat box into a stylish piece of home décor using Resene testpots, with a tribal twist.

When painting with a tribal theme, throw perfection out the window and embrace crooked lines, texture, and less than perfect paint techniques to get a more organic result.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own

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