Making fabric out of threads uses a water soluble stabiliser which provides the temporary support in the making of delicate and mesh-like fabric. It also allows the resulting fabric to be moulded.

Materials required:

• Sewing machine
• Sewing pins
• Water soluble stabiliser
• Threads, yarn, fabric, strips, trimmings, nets, etc

Technique:

• Arrange the materials between two water soluble sheets
• Use pins to secure the materials
• stitch using the sewing machine, starting from the edge
• Wash in warm water to remove the membrane

• To mould the fabric, stop washing once the membrane dissolves
• Place the fabric over the mould to dry
• When dried, spray with UV resistant clear acrylic spray

• Beads and other embellishments can be embroidered on

Applications include:

• The making of decorative objects, accessories and art works
• Incorporation of natural materials (e.g. leaves and vines)

Personal reflections:

It is fascinating to know that we can create our own fabric with our own preferred materials. It made me curious about what stabilisers are and did further research.

Upon researching, I found that there are indeed various types of stabilisers used in embroidery, lace-making, knits and others. The technique which we used provides temporary structure suitable for delicate and mesh-like surfaces. Designs can also be marked onto this soluble sheet as a guide. Basting around the design provides extra support.

 The website, Threads Magazine, also made a summary of the different stabilising methods available.