(no subject)

[elspethdawitch.livejournal.com]

Working on the second pattern I posted...I figure if I lay it flat at all times the picots won't get all mussed and I won't have to pin it and press it or anything...I hope to maybe starch it and make it into a Christmas ornament for my mom...I think it will be really pretty. Anybody have any pointers for me, since I've never given a piece a proper finishing before...I've heard you should use sugar water, not starch? Right?

(Pssst, post something. Even if it's just introductions :p)

Comments

[moniqueleigh]

If it's not too late, don't use sugar water. The sugar is an ant magnet!! Several of the craft stores have pretty good alternatives. Or you can mix a bit of regular starch (like you'd use with ironing shirts) & water. Mix according to your preferences for stiffness.

[elspethdawitch.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, I'm far too lazy to have actually stiffened anything...I put it on my tree without stiffening it, and then gave it to my aunt, and said "oh...and if you want, you could starch it, or something...."

[moniqueleigh]

Hee! That sounds like me! For earrings, I often use a bit of clear nail polish as stiffener, but I don't know how well that will hold up over time. I've heard hairspray works, but haven't had good luck with it myself.

[elspethdawitch.livejournal.com]

Nail polish'll flake off after time I think...I used it on a ring that was tarnishing and turning my finger green, and it comes off after a while. I would think hair spray would be sticky...

[moniqueleigh]

Yeah, but for earrings, I'm generally not overly worried about it coming off (just re-apply). The hairspray just... Meh. Didn't want to make the thread stiff. But, I was using #10 crochet cotton.... ;) Might've been too much to ask....