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Permalink Reply by Elaine Mergard August 13, 2012 at 11:25am

Can you share the brand name Lynda as this is more accessible  Thanks E

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Permalink Reply by Lynda Dwyer Ninness August 13, 2012 at 11:28am

It's Boyle brand, comes in a matt or gloss and its Australian made.  Costs around $12 from Lincraft for a 400g spray can.

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Permalink Reply by 1fi9iq6yxs6ig August 14, 2012 at 8:45am

I've seen this (as a gloss) used on straws which have been stiffened with the 50/50 mixture.  The same or similar product sells at artists supply stores.  The 50/50 can take away some of the shine in the straw and this spray puts it back! 

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Permalink Reply by Angelica Le Mura August 17, 2012 at 8:34pm

Hi Lynda,

Do you think you could use this spray on its own to stiffen fabric - or is it just used to add a bit of 'extra' stiffness to something you have already stiffened with another solution? I hope this question makes sense!!

I recently used Craft Smart's Fabric Stiffener on a piece of cotton lace and it left an obvious residue. I also used it on a piece of taffeta and it completely changed the colour (despite claiming to dry clear).

I would love to know what solutions/products people use when stiffening fabric trimmings (bows etc)!

 

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Permalink Reply by Aoife Kirwan August 17, 2012 at 10:40pm

For flowers that I make from silk dupion I use chemical straw or felt stiffener. For lace I use water based millinery stiffener (from parkin) does not leave a residue.

What fabric is it you are trying to stiffen. Did you try wiring the edges?

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Permalink Reply by Angelica Le Mura August 18, 2012 at 11:41am

Thanks for your response Aoife!

I bonded two wide strips of taffeta together using bondaweb (vlisoflex) – I then wanted to stiffen and sculpt it into a swirly shape while still wet with stiffener, hoping the shape would then retain when dry.

 

This worked to a degree but the taffeta changed colour from the fabric stiffener. Since the hat was covered in the same fabric, you could really notice the difference between the hat and trimming!

I suspect this Craft Smart ‘fabric stiffener’ is just a PVA/water mix in a fancy bottle!! I should have gone with a ‘proper’ millinery stiffener I guess.

yes, wiring the edge is definitely an option – I just wanted to try hand-sculpting some shapes (without having to wire, cover edges etc).

Permalink Reply by Aoife Kirwan August 18, 2012 at 8:21pm

I'd suggest painting strips of fabric with chemical stiffener, hang and leave to dry overnight then cut out shapes and mould with heated flower irons. Holds shape perfectly, edges don't fray and I haven't had any trouble with colour changing but if you are worried test on a small piece of your fabric before painting it all.

Permalink Reply by Angelica Le Mura August 19, 2012 at 2:58pm

You've been wonderfully informative Aoife! Thank-you!!

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