I am currently making roses for a wedding headpiece for a lovely bride. Step one in the process is to choose the fabric and stiffen the fabric.
Fabric Stiffening Recipe for Silk Flowers
This recipe was given to me during a millinery workshop conducted by fabulous Australian milliner Neil Grigg. Thanks Neil this recipe is a cracker!
1. 420ml water– bring to boil in a saucepan
2. Mix together 20ml of cornstarch/cornflour with 20ml of water – it will make a thin paste
3. Pour cornstarch paste into the boiling water
4. Keep stirring until the mixture boils and thickens
5. Add 40ml of PVA glue – hold high and trickle in while continuing to stir until all is combined
6. Pour into a glass bottle and cool before use
7. This will keep about 7 -10 days.
Use a paintbrush to apply to fabric. Peg onto line and wait until fabric is dry and becomes stiff.
Hi Thanks for posting your recipe. I was wondering if you mix only 20 ml water why do you need 420 ml.
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteMix the 20ml water with 20ml cornstarch and add to 420ml of boiling water.
The consistency is OK for me but I don't like really stiff flowers. Give it a try and if you thought it wasnt the right stiffnes for you could try again and use less boiling water.
Let me know how you go.
Please please pretty please can we have part 2 of making silk flowers?
ReplyDeleteHi, I was wondering if you paint the stiffener on the right side of the fabric or the wrong side?
ReplyDeleteHello - on the wrong side if there is a definite pattern on the fabric. The fabric needs to be fairly saturated so it will soak through anyway. As you can see I am irregular blogger so I hope this information is still useful to you.
DeleteHi, did part II end up on the blog? Is there a link for it? Thank you for the information. Excited!
ReplyDeleteHello - yes it has been a long time... There are some hints for making a camelia and a rose on the blog now. I hope you find something useful...
DeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteI have had a go at making the stiffener, is it mean to look a bit grainy? I kept mixing and mixing but the PVA doesnt seem to have completely combined? Is this right?
Hello there - not sure might have happened. The stiffening mixture should be smooth.
ReplyDeleteDoes this dry clear? Want to use on silk leaves, use outdoors, will dampness ruin this application?
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very useful thank you, is the PVA glue just a standard glue or a PVA fabric glue?
ReplyDeleteIf you have to paint your flowers, do you paint them first or use fabric stiffener first
ReplyDelete