How to Drape With Fabric Stiffener

A very unique and interesting craft technique is draping fabric to create such items as the body shape of a ghost or Santa Claus' long fur coat . A tall item, such as a bottle or bowl, forms the fabric into the desired shape, and liquid starch holds the fabric in place once it is dry. Experiment making a bowl with a doily to learn this draping technique.

Things You'll Need

• 12-inch doily
• Plastic butter container
• Liquid starch
• 8-inch mixing bowl

Instructions

1. Pour approximately 1 inch of liquid starch in a plastic butter container.

2. Immerse and saturate a 12-inch doily in the liquid starch.

3. Turn an 8-inch-diameter bowl over so it is upside down. Place the bowl on a flat work surface.

4. Remove the doily from the liquid starch. Squeeze the excess liquid starch into the plastic butter container.

5. Center and spread the doily over the surface of the 8-inch bowl. Smooth the wrinkles from the doily with your hands.

6. Allow the doily to dry completely. This may take up to 12 hours depending on the humidity and temperature.

7. Remove the doily from the bowl. Flip the doily over.

Tips & Warnings

• Drape a ghost or the fur coat of Santa Claus over a detergent bottle to shape. Immerse the fabric in liquid starch. Remove all excess. Wrap the fabric around the detergent bottle. Move and shape the flowing fabric to the desired shape. Allow the fabric to dry completely before finishing.