stiffening of fabrics
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 2
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
stiffening of fabrics
Can I use common corn starch to stiffen fabrics? How to avoid white patches on dark colors?
#2
Welcome to the forum.
What would this stiffened fabric be used for?
I know for shirt collars, my grandmother used corn starch or similar. I've also heard hair spray can work in.
If you are looking for a temporary stiffening, these will work. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, you could consider something like a 3M spray adhesive used as fabric glue. Definitely test before using it on you final product.
What would this stiffened fabric be used for?
I know for shirt collars, my grandmother used corn starch or similar. I've also heard hair spray can work in.
If you are looking for a temporary stiffening, these will work. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, you could consider something like a 3M spray adhesive used as fabric glue. Definitely test before using it on you final product.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 2
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
corn starch for stiffening
I would like to stiffen silk fabrics in order to make fabric flowers, so it has to be more or less stiff.
But cornstarch I used, left white marks on the fabric after it dried and also the starch started flaking.
Does anyone know how to avoid that? Do I have to add something to the starch or...
Many thanks in advance
Kunstblume
But cornstarch I used, left white marks on the fabric after it dried and also the starch started flaking.
Does anyone know how to avoid that? Do I have to add something to the starch or...
Many thanks in advance
Kunstblume
#7
OK, now that I know what, I can help. 
What you need, is fusible, heavy interfacing.
Since you don't live in the US, I can't tell you where to get it or exactly what to use, since it probably differs from here, but if you do a search on "fusible heavy interfacing" (also try "interfacing for making silk flowers"), you should be able to find what you need.
Also, because it's silk fabric, you may need to use a piece of cloth to cover the silk while you're pressing, so you don't ruin the fabric. You'll need a very hot iron.

What you need, is fusible, heavy interfacing.
Since you don't live in the US, I can't tell you where to get it or exactly what to use, since it probably differs from here, but if you do a search on "fusible heavy interfacing" (also try "interfacing for making silk flowers"), you should be able to find what you need.
Also, because it's silk fabric, you may need to use a piece of cloth to cover the silk while you're pressing, so you don't ruin the fabric. You'll need a very hot iron.