How To Make Stiffener for Fabric Flowers

Making or arranging silk flowers lets you add individual touches to your decor, and silk flowers make a wonderfully distinctive gift. The main challenge is giving and renewing the crispness that distinguishes both fresh and artificial blooms at their peak. While commercial sprays can provide the stiffness you need, there are times when the spray can is empty. Follow the steps below to create two stiffening substances that will let you complete your flowers or your arrangement. To keep the flowers free of dust over the long term, you can spritz them with an art-supply-store plastic finishing spray, but these two homemade stiffeners will serve you well.

Things You'll Need

• Box of laundry starch Water Bowl Stirrer (or) 2 packets unflavored gelatin 1/4 cup cold water 1 cup boiling water Bowl Small saucepan, if needed Stirrer 1-inch or smaller paintbrush Protective covering for workspace Hair dryer (optional)

Instructions

Solution No. 1

1. Follow directions on starch box to make medium or heavy liquid starch. Using paintbrush, cover flower petals with a thin, even coat of starch, one at a time.

2. Mold petals in desired shapes and set them on a protected surface to dry. If shapes are intricate or petals are large, you may find it helpful to hold them in position and speed drying with a hair dryer.

3. Examine dried petals for any missed spots or remaining limp areas. Add a second light coat of starch where needed. Thin starch mixture with a tablespoon or two of water if a full second coat is needed. Thin coats require more time but produce better results than a single heavy coat.

Solution No. 2

1. Soften gelatin in cold water in bowl. Add boiling water and stir until completely dissolved. Let mixture cool slightly but be prepared to warm it in the saucepan if it begins to set. To coat flower petals, it should be slightly syrupy.

2. Use paintbrush to coat petals with a thin, even coat of gelatin mixture, mold into desired shapes and lay out to dry. Use hair dryer to speed process, if desired.

3. Apply a second thin coat to missed spots or still-drooping petals. Dry as above.

Tips & Warnings

• Some crafters suggest sugar water as an emergency solution to wilting; it's sticky to work with but good in a crisis. You might also consider hairspray, preferably unscented.