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dissolvable stabilizer Blog Posts

Rumor has it

Original Photo-beaded necklaces from Mexico
Month 1-applique, scrim, buttons, foil, couched threads, hand stitching
Month 2-knit wire, organza flowers, beads, buttons, wire lace, couched cording
Month 3-organza shapes, lutradur, beads, stitched disolvable stabilize, thread w
Month 4-beads, stitched disolvable stabilizer, lutradur, lace, painted fibres
Month 5-text on printer sheets, metallic thread, paint,organza
Month 6-silk fusion, applique, satin stitch, beads
Month 7-cut back applique, couched threads, painted fibres,threadwork
Month 8-painted fibres, lutradur, couched threads, beads, metallic thread
Month 9-painted fibres, free motion stitching, pieced quilting, applique
Month 10-painted fibres, strip pieced quilting
Month 11-painted fibres, strip pieced quilting
Month 12-painted fibres, metal shim, lutradur, free motion stitching, applique
Month 13-painted fibres, hand stitching, french knot button, machine stitching
Original photo

Our fibre art group started a challege last summer which we hope you will enjoy.  The challenge was to create a small 2 dimensional wall hanging no larger than  8 1/2 X 11"  The rules were simple:

Dissolvable Stabilizers - medium

dimensional leaves: bali fabric, free motion stitchin
water soluble sandwich: stabilizer-cloth-stabilizer
free motion stitching using a varity of threads
excess cloth cut away from leaf shapes

 We made our dimensional leaves with the aid of a medium weight water soluble stabilizer.  Use a batik type fabric which has two good sides (ie no right and wrong) and cut into a 4"-6" size. Dip the cloth into water and gently blot on a piece of paper towel. Remove just enough water so the fabric is not dripping.

Dissolvable Stabilizers - heavy

cedar branch, pinned, stabilizer washed away, left to dry
Avalon Ultra, embroidery hoop, ready for stitching
free motion stitching using a varity of threads
completed thread work creating an organic shape
shape is pinned to base,then stabilizer is rinsed away

Cedar branches, coral, or other organic shapes can be created with free motion thread work stitched onto a dissolving fabric. Also referred to as water soluble stabilizers, these products may look like fabric, paper or plastic.

The images to the left show how to make organic shapes. We recommend using Avalon Ultra, a strong, thick stabilizer, good for heavy applications of stitching for sewing cedar branches. It has the appearance of a stiff plastic, can be used as is, or placed in a hoop for more control while stitching.

Woodland Textures - retreat

Heat distressed kunin felt, painted cheese cloth, nylon scarves, glass beads
Free motion stitching, painted fusible adhesive
free motion thread work on water soluble stabilizer
free motion thread work on water solubule stabilizer
nylon scarves, lutradur, cheese cloth, kunin felt

Spend a day working with fibre and creativity. Enjoy a workshop, learn new fibre art techniques, visit other fibre artists and enjoy the many sites and sounds that Salt Spring Island has to offer.

Yarn Scarves

Felt squares on Aqua Bond water soluble stabilizer
yarn scarf: novelty yarns, thread, torn silk strips
Strip of stabilzer, basting spray and fibres
Assorted fibres arranged onto stabilizer
Top layer of stabilizer basted on top
Machine stitching to secure all fibres together
Close up of finished scarf

This is a great project if you have a stash of left over yarns, threads and fibre....and what knitter doesn't?

3 Dimensional vessels

dimensional bowl: threads, yarns, nylon scarves on water soluble stabilizer
dimensional bowl: threads, yarns on water soluble stabilizer
Thread bowl with beaded edge
Thread, yarn, fibres and stitching prior to shaping
The stitched piece is shaped to fit the vase

 Working with dissolvable stabilizers( water soluble) can be a little addictive. Bowls and other 3 dimensional objects are built up of layers of thread, yarns and other fibers all stitched onto a water soluble stabilizer base. Once a firm material is formed, the stabilizer is rinsed away and the new material is left to dry over a form.There are numerous stabilizers on the market, but we have a few favorites, depending on what you are making.

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