How Do I Stiffen and Block Crochet Motifs?
For a stiffening solution I use 2 parts sugar to 1 part water.
I usually start with a solution of ½ cup sugar to ¼ cup water and mix well until the sugar dissolves.
If you can't get the sugar to dissolve, try boiling it on the stove - that is guaranteed to work.
But be sure to let the solution cool before you begin to use it or your motif may shrink or discolour.
If you need more solution, you can increase the amounts, but it is better to work in small quantities at first.
Then I think about blocking by cutting out a guide from tissue paper making it the size I want the finished motif with a ½" border all around the edges.
I usually use my kitchen counter so I then layer from the bottom up a piece of cardboard larger than the tissue paper guide.
I generally use a square piece of cardboard taken from the side of a box for example.
Then I put the guide I made out of tissue paper, and a piece of wax paper the same size as the guide.
Pin the guide and wax paper in place with pins that have been coated with bees wax or rust-proof pins.
Wet the motif thoroughly with water and wring it out.
Pin the motif to the guide with the pins.
Make sure that you center the motif on the guide and pin all major inside points evenly as well as the outside points so that it will dry evenly in shape.
Now, you wet the motif with the stiffening solution thoroughly.
(A small, clean pastry brush or sponge is a good tool for this step.
)Remove the pins only after the motif is completely dry.
It should be the desired size and shape that you strived for.
It will also look fairly stiff - so that it will not bend or crease unless the whole motif is moved at once.
To stiffen and block three dimensional motifs or as I like to say, doilies with lace that are supposed to stand up I use balloons, tissue paper covered with plastic wrap or stuffed into a plastic bag, cardboard tubes covered with plastic, etc.
, to drape the motif over or stiffen it before brushing with the solution.
I remember one lady tried to use cotton balls, which did not prove to work, due to the fact that the cotton balls absorbed the stiffening solution.
Next, she did something with wads of paper and toothpicks and that seemed to work wonderfully well.
You just have to use your imagination to achieve the desired finished effect.
This is an age-old recipe, and I realize that sugar is expensive to purchase, but it works wonderfully and seems to last for a long time.
If you use too much sugar solution, your finished product may appear to be shiny, but you learn with experience.
I tend to stiffen all mine at once and then take them out as I need them for use.
It does save time in the end and I hate having my kitchen counters tied up unnecessarily! Will you try this age-old stiffening solution to see if you can get the desired results?
I usually start with a solution of ½ cup sugar to ¼ cup water and mix well until the sugar dissolves.
If you can't get the sugar to dissolve, try boiling it on the stove - that is guaranteed to work.
But be sure to let the solution cool before you begin to use it or your motif may shrink or discolour.
If you need more solution, you can increase the amounts, but it is better to work in small quantities at first.
Then I think about blocking by cutting out a guide from tissue paper making it the size I want the finished motif with a ½" border all around the edges.
I usually use my kitchen counter so I then layer from the bottom up a piece of cardboard larger than the tissue paper guide.
I generally use a square piece of cardboard taken from the side of a box for example.
Then I put the guide I made out of tissue paper, and a piece of wax paper the same size as the guide.
Pin the guide and wax paper in place with pins that have been coated with bees wax or rust-proof pins.
Wet the motif thoroughly with water and wring it out.
Pin the motif to the guide with the pins.
Make sure that you center the motif on the guide and pin all major inside points evenly as well as the outside points so that it will dry evenly in shape.
Now, you wet the motif with the stiffening solution thoroughly.
(A small, clean pastry brush or sponge is a good tool for this step.
)Remove the pins only after the motif is completely dry.
It should be the desired size and shape that you strived for.
It will also look fairly stiff - so that it will not bend or crease unless the whole motif is moved at once.
To stiffen and block three dimensional motifs or as I like to say, doilies with lace that are supposed to stand up I use balloons, tissue paper covered with plastic wrap or stuffed into a plastic bag, cardboard tubes covered with plastic, etc.
, to drape the motif over or stiffen it before brushing with the solution.
I remember one lady tried to use cotton balls, which did not prove to work, due to the fact that the cotton balls absorbed the stiffening solution.
Next, she did something with wads of paper and toothpicks and that seemed to work wonderfully well.
You just have to use your imagination to achieve the desired finished effect.
This is an age-old recipe, and I realize that sugar is expensive to purchase, but it works wonderfully and seems to last for a long time.
If you use too much sugar solution, your finished product may appear to be shiny, but you learn with experience.
I tend to stiffen all mine at once and then take them out as I need them for use.
It does save time in the end and I hate having my kitchen counters tied up unnecessarily! Will you try this age-old stiffening solution to see if you can get the desired results?