Comments | tatting: How to Starch?

onceiwasaturtle in tatting

How to Starch?

Jan 11, 2009 16:35

Hi ( Read more... )

Comments 16

ubbercatta January 12 2009, 01:14:26 UTC

I buy a spray starch from Michael's. Unfortunately I don't remember what the name is. But it is a pump spray-on. I haven't had any issues with it.

onceiwasaturtle January 12 2009, 16:52:01 UTC

Thanks!

msmcknittington January 12 2009, 01:47:10 UTC

I use cornstarch for my crocheted doilies. You need a saucepan, a spoon and a stove, though you could probably use a hotplate.

Put about a cup of water on to boil. While it's coming to a boil, add a couple tablespoons (2-4) of cornstarch to a quarter cup of water and stir it until it's blended. You don't want any lumps. When the water is boiling, add the cornstarch and water to it and stir until it's thick.

You can also just add the cornstarch straight to the boiling water, but you tend to get lumps then. They're not a big deal, it's just that you have to pick them off the doily before it dries. Otherwise you have lumps in your doily.

I haven't had any problems with bugs using this, and my grandma has been doing the same since . . . er, the 1940s probably.

onceiwasaturtle January 12 2009, 16:55:22 UTC

Excellent! The other instructions I found required things like a strainer and a double boiler, so this is much appreciated. Thank you!

_diane January 12 2009, 23:28:42 UTC

I've tried pretty much every other option for stiffeners, and this method is my favorite. It gets the tatted item much stiffer than anything else.

onceiwasaturtle January 12 2009, 23:42:46 UTC

Perfect! Extra-stiff would be good for this pattern. Thanks!

teikasmom January 12 2009, 04:22:35 UTC

I use common white glue and water-not quite half and half for a bookmark. Just gives it a little body.

onceiwasaturtle January 12 2009, 16:57:27 UTC

Great -- thanks!

amphipodgirl January 12 2009, 05:08:47 UTC

Plaid makes a fabric stiffener called Stiffy: http://www.plaidonline.com/productDetail.asp?itemID=1550 I've bought it at Michaels. I don't know how it performs over long spans of time.

onceiwasaturtle January 12 2009, 16:59:05 UTC

Wonderful! Thanks!

wosny January 12 2009, 09:02:06 UTC

Pamela shows her technique for stiffening here
http://tatsakoolchallenge.blogspot.com/2008/12/no-10-sweet-rose-and-how-i-stiffen-my.html
and from the replies I'm guessing you can buy the product in the USA...
best luck

onceiwasaturtle January 12 2009, 17:02:59 UTC

Visual instructions and everything! Thanks!