Dissolvable Fabric

I really enjoy working on dissolvable fabrics and wanted to show what can be achieved. There are several different sorts which include: heavyweight film (Romeo), lightweight film (Juliette), Aquabond, Solufleece and vanishing muslin although this does not tend to be used much these days. Both Romeo and Juliette look like thick cling film and are washed out in cold water although warm water can be used to hasten the action. Once dissolved the work can be slightly stiff if any film is left in although this can be an advantage if making a bowl or 3D object.

Solufleece looks like thin fabric and is also washed out in water and Aquabond has a sticky side so fabrics and threads can be positioned on it and then covered with thin film before being sewn onto.

Vanishing Muslin can be sewn onto then dissolved with a hot iron although this does not tend to be used much these days.

Probably the most important thing to remember is that the threads must all touch otherwise when the film is dissolved the threads won't hold together.

Some books that deal with dissolvable work include Fragile Fabrics Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn, Dissolvable Delights Maggie Grey and Stitch Dissolve Distort, Valerie Campbell-Harding and Maggie Grey.

Some examples shown below.

Leaf worked on Romeo

Worked on Romeo with the addition of man made cords and knotted cords.

A grid made using threads onto Aquabond

Two pieces of fabric joined using Romeo to stitch onto.

Making Small Christmas crackers

Crackers completed.

You can also make lacy edges for scarves and will show these in the next post.