Featured

Homemade Sugar Water Fabric Starch

Although commercial fabric stiffeners can be useful, and superior for some projects, there are many craft projects which can be finished beautifully with an inexpensive, easy-to-make, homemade fabric stiffener.

Sugar Water Fabric Stiffener

You will need:
sugar
water
saucepan

Just combine equal parts white sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil just until the sugar dissolves, then immediately remove from the heat to prevent the sugar from crystalizing.

Saturate fabric in the sugar water starch mixture, shape as desired, or drape over a mold, and let dry completely. Your fabric will stiffen as it dries and keep its shape unless it gets wet or until you wash it.

I first used this technique to stiffen homemade crocheted snowflakes, similar to this Pretty Snowflake Pattern designed by Julie Bolduc. Mine lasted for several years before I had to wash them and repeat the stiffening process.

The Doily Christmas Tree, shown above right, could also be made with sugar water stiffener, mixed with a glitter, if desired, to add a bit of sparkle.

I also like these homemade Doily Baskets, over on marthastewart.com, which would be lovely for Easter, for weddings or showers, or for everyday display.