How to Starch Decorator Fabric With Sugar
- 1). Combine one cup of tap water and one cup of granulated sugar in a saucepan. Stir the solution on a hot stove burner until the sugar has completely dissolved. Bring the water and sugar to a rapid boil. Immediately remove the mixture from the stove to prevent the sugar from crystallizing. Allow the solution to cool slightly. If you need a larger amount of starch solution, increase the amounts of sugar and water, always combining equal amounts of each, to create the solution.
- 2). Wet the decorator fabric under running tap water. Lay the wet garment on an absorbent towel. Roll the fabric in the towel and gently press out all excess water until the garment is damp, not dripping.
- 3). Pour the starch solution into a large container. Submerge the damp fabric in the sugar starch solution. Let the fabric sit for two minutes to fully absorb the starch mixture. Remove the material from the starch solution and lightly squeeze out the excess starch.
- 4). Lay the decorator fabric out on a flat surface covered with wax paper. Using your hands, smooth any creases. Allow it to air dry. As the fabric becomes dry and begins to harden, turn the fabric over, exposing the opposite side. Allow the fabric to dry completely. If additional stiffness is desired, use a clean pastry brush dipped in the starch solution to lightly go over the fabric again. Let the fabric dry. Repeat this process until the desired stiffness is achieved. The fabric will stiffen as it dries and keep its shape unless it gets wet or until you launder it.
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