Released July 21, 2009
by Paulette Daoust
I save the scraps from water soluble stabilizer (WSS).
Whenever necessary, I then put the scraps into a spray bottle, add water, then swirl to dissolve the scraps inside the bottle.
To use this mixture on projects, I first wash my fabric, allow it to dry, and then spray the fabric with the liquid WSS. Then I allow the fabric to dry again. Once dry, I iron the fabric.
I use this starched material for my table runners, table cloths, or endless lace or borders. It retains it’s crispness during the embroidery process.
Once the project is finished, I then rewash the item. No commercial starch on the market is as stiff as mixing up this handy WSS solution and it saves money by re-purposing your WSS in this manner.
I hope this will help other embroiderers in finishing their projects and the making new projects an easier process.
Editor’s Note: Some people who make similar solutions add a bit of alcohol to keep their solution from molding. However; Paulette doesn’t use alcohol because it’s never been necessary in her case (she currently has some liquid WSS made that is more than 6 months old, yet is has no mold or foul smell).
So the use of alcohol is optional, probably dependent on a myriad of factors (i.e. localized environment, weather, etc.). As Paulette pointed out too, there are usually so many scraps, you could just mix it fresh whenever necessary.
Great idea. Thank you.
Comment by wonov — July 21, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
Does the WSS leave a residue on the iron? What temp do you use?
Comment by Kathy — July 21, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
I thank you for the handy hint. I believe in using everything possible to save money and be extra frugal with my supplies. This tip gets my “Green Seal of Approval”.
LouAnne
Comment by LouAnne — July 22, 2009 @ 3:00 am
I also use this way of stiffing my fabric when using fancy stitches built into my sewing machine. Disolve scraps in water spray on dry fabric let air dry. This makes a great way to use the scraps. I have done this for years.
Thanks
Kathleen B
Comment by Kathleen Boulch — July 22, 2009 @ 3:09 am
Sounds like a great way to use up your scraps. What I need to know is “How much water to how much scraps”?
Comment by Paula — July 22, 2009 @ 8:15 am
i have been doing FSL for weeks now. i’m making christmas ornament and lace for projects i sew. can you imnagine the amount of backing i have thrown away when i could be using it! thanks for the tip, i’m going out and buying a squirt bottle today!
Comment by priscilla clark — July 22, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
Paulette, what type of wss are you using, the clear or the cloudy stuff? Also what ratio of scraps to water do you use? Does hot water work better than cold? Thank-you
Comment by Denice — July 22, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
After spraying on the WSS, is it necessary to use a hooped layer of stabilizer?
Comment by Kathy — July 22, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Question: Is it okay to mix different types of WSS? For instance, can I mix Vilene with the thinner, clear type of WSS or do I need to have 2 bottles?
Comment by Gee Hall — July 22, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
Thanks for the tip sounds like something. I hate to throw away scraps.
Comment by Katherine McGarry — July 22, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
What a super idea. Thank you so very much. God bless and have a great day
Comment by Pam — July 23, 2009 @ 7:25 am
Great idea… Thanks
Comment by Jolene — July 23, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
Keep the spray bottle in the fridge to prevent the mold without using the alcohol.
Comment by Marie — July 25, 2009 @ 6:12 am
To answer some of your comments. I used room temperature water. To answer Denise I use both clear and cloudy stuff. I disolve as much scraps as I can disolve in the spray bottle. To answer Gee Hall I disolve whatever type I have in the same bottle. I only use the spray bottle because it’s easier to store. I don’t know if I made myself clear on one point. After the fabic has been washed and dried intially. I saturate the fabric and let it dry again on a line in the laundry room. When it’s dry I iron it. If you iron it when it’s wet it will stick to you iron. If this happens to clean your iron, heat the iron to it’s highest temperature and rub the plate with wax paper. This should clean it. For Kathy I do use a layer of stabilizer. I hope this answers any question.
Comment by Paulette Daoust — August 1, 2009 @ 7:03 am
Paulette you are my SHINING STAR. What fun I’m going to have! Thanks
Comment by Shelley — August 2, 2009 @ 10:23 am
At last a way to prevent waste. What a great idea, thank you.
Comment by Marion — August 23, 2009 @ 12:46 pm