Friday Show & Tell - How I Stiffen Lace with Glue

Hello, I'm so glad you're here! In an effort to keep cool this summer I've been making thread crochet bookmarks using a pattern called Graceful Gothic Cross. It's fairly easy (you need to be comfortable with joining thread as each point is worked individually off the center square) and works up quickly. They're lovely in any color and I'm planning on giving them away this holiday season.

In anticipation of making Christmas ornaments and decorations,  I decided it was time to experiment with stiffening lace.  There are a variety of ways to turn your lace from flimsy to firm.  Options include: purchasing spray or liquid starch (the kind for laundry); buying a product like Stiffen Stuff or Stiffen Quick (on line or at the craft store); boiling sugar and water together to make a sticky sweet home stiffener; or another homemade option mix together plain old white glue and water, from the tap, no cooking required. Of course you know which one I picked!

I gathered together all of the white glue I could find. I also came across a big bottle of Magic Mend Liquid Plastic Adhesive. What?! It's used for repairing book bindings. We don't use it anymore at work so I brought it home (2 months ago?) thinking I might be able to do something with it. I checked it out on line since  it does have warnings on the label and I didn't want my lace to disintegrate. No problem. It's PVC free, won't discolor the book pages, is archive quality and dries clear and flexible. Very cool.

Before I got started I covered my work area with an old table cloth.  I cut the bottoms off old orange juice containers to make disposable bowls. I covered a piece of cardboard with tin foil and wax paper to make a disposable blocking board and I had my pins ready.  I also had my mixing utensils handy and paper towels laid out. Age and experience has taught me that I will make a mess, and it's better to be prepared than have to clean unnecessarily!

I started with the white glue. I used 1 part glue to 3 parts hot water. They blended easily and the mixture was very thin. I thought about adding more glue, but I decided to see what happens with this ratio. I laid the bookmark in and let it soak for 3 or 4 minutes.

I blotted the excess moisture with paper towels and pinned it into shape. It was easy to work with. It didn't stick to my fingers and I wasn't worried about it drying out on me before I was done pinning.

Next up is the Magic Mend, which smells just like white glue and isn't offensive at all despite the warning label!  I used 1 part MM and 2 parts warm water. It blended easily and produced a much thicker mixture. I followed the same steps as the first bookmark.  It was much sticker than the glue, and a little harder to work with. I felt it getting tacky and starting to harden by the time I was done pinning.

Once they were secured in the proper shape, I set them in the air conditioning to dry. 8 hours later they were done.

This is the au naturale bookmark, which is lovely but flimsy. And the stiffened bookmarks, which stand firmly on their own.  I was worried that the white glue solution was too weak, but for a first try it's just fine. Next time I'll use less water, and see what happens. I'm pleased with the Magic Mend. It's very sturdy, but not brittle. I think it's a good option for use in the future. Both mixtures did darken the thread slightly, and stiffening brings out and defines the stitches very nicely.

I love learning new things and sharing my experiences with you! Now that I've done this I have no reason to avoid projects that require stiffening. I also like that I was able to use things that I have on hand. I know not everyone has Magic Mend, but I bet you have a bottle of two of white glue hanging around!

Well friends, another busy week is drawing to a close, and isn't it amazing how much we've done?  I'll be linking up with these creative bloggers and sharing my accomplishments. I sure hope you'll come with me and see what everyone else is up to!

This week I'm also joining in with Tricia and her Stash Bash. Click over for a look!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I had a great time, and I hope you did too!
Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!