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Post by halay on Oct 12, 2015 2:57:11 GMT
maybe the topic on stiffeners was laready discussed in this forum but I cannot find the post. Please help. I've made some felt flowers which I am going to incorporate in a necklace.  they are pretty stiff already but I am worried that if you wear such necklace under your coat it might get flattened. I would like to make it more stiff. Any advice? I've read something about salvitose but I don't know how to use it. |
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Post by MTRuth on Oct 12, 2015 12:27:47 GMT
I have never heard of salvitose. I have used a solution of half white glue and half water for beads that worked well. I know that Shana, one of our members, uses a product but I can't remember what. Hopefully she will answer here. We did discuss discuss it before but I am not sure where.
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Post by halay on Oct 12, 2015 14:16:42 GMT
Thanks, Ruth. I'll wait for Shana if she notices this post.
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Post by elizabeth on Oct 12, 2015 17:52:51 GMT
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Post by Pandagirl on Oct 12, 2015 20:33:38 GMT
I believe Luvswool (Cathy) used GAC-400 for her hanging mobile to stiffen the circles. I bought some but haven't used it yet.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Oct 13, 2015 15:43:06 GMT
That’s correct, Marilyn. I did use GAC for stiffening the wool felt on my hanging mobile of large circles. It works! I also used it to stiffen drooping flowers made of felt.
In the States, you can easily find GAC at art supply stores, including BLICK’S.
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Post by MTRuth on Oct 13, 2015 17:27:15 GMT
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Post by halay on Oct 13, 2015 19:12:02 GMT
Thank you girls for your help and suggestions. I need to visit an art craft store and see what's available here.
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Post by koffipot on Oct 14, 2015 16:48:08 GMT
I've used thinned down clear acrylic gel paste, same as GAC, but by a different company.
Wet the felt down again, not so it's dripping wet, work in the thinned down gel, shape it as required and leave it to dry. You don't need to saturate it.
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Post by halay on Oct 14, 2015 17:11:49 GMT
This is interesting, Judy. What is this acrylic gel paste originally used for? I need to know in order to look for it in a proper shop. What was the approximate ratio between gel and water?
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Post by koffipot on Oct 15, 2015 7:10:49 GMT
This is interesting, Judy. What is this acrylic gel paste originally used for? I need to know in order to look for it in a proper shop. What was the approximate ratio between gel and water? You'll find acrylic gel pastes in an art supplier. There are various types used to create textures on canvas. You need to get the clear type as the matt has tiny granules which will give a cloudy effect to your felt and some of the detail will be lost. As for dilution - since it's for a necklace, I'd say that since you're just wanting to stiffen it rather than make it waterproof, then perhaps 25:75 gel to water, maybe even weaker. Try it on a sample to see what effect you want. I'm thinking of trying a glazing medium next time. Here's a link which may be helpful:- www.art-is-fun.com/acrylic-mediums/ |
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Post by halay on Oct 15, 2015 9:41:35 GMT
Thank you Judith, this is most useful information. I'll post about the results when I get this medium.
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Post by zed on Oct 16, 2015 10:12:10 GMT
I've not used anything, but I did buy some of that Aleen'es stuff and other fabric stiffeners and they all smell like PVA to me (Elmers/school glue)
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Post by koffipot on Oct 16, 2015 12:49:17 GMT
I've not used anything, but I did buy some of that Aleen'es stuff and other fabric stiffeners and they all smell like PVA to me (Elmers/school glue) PVA/ school glue becomes tacky again if it's wet. The Acrylic medium doesn't. |
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Post by sundownalpacas on Oct 21, 2015 22:42:30 GMT
This is an interesting subject. I felt alpaca fedora hats and have issues of them losing shape in very humid weather. I now use liquid starch worked into the hat while felting, then I steam the hat during the final shaping. It seems to be working better than the hat stiffner and varnish that I have tried in the past.
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they are pretty stiff already but I am worried that if you wear such necklace under your coat it might get flattened. I would like to make it more stiff. Any advice? I've read something about salvitose but I don't know how to use it.
