HELP! with Radiance

[Keith D.]

Is that shiny, limp fabric Radiance? It's part silk, isn't it? I cut some 7" strips to applique onto and tried to stiffen it with starch. Auuugh! Now it's all speckled - like water spots. :evil: And it still doesn't have any body. :twisted:

Have I ruined it or will the water spots wash out? I should see for myself, but all I have left is the selvedge. I'll try it tonight and see if I can tell. Has anyone else done this?

If I want it stable for machine applique but limp again when I'm done, should I use a wash out stabilizer like Ferrier's water soluable stabilizer?

I need to figure out silks... I think I'm going to use them for applique shapes in my next project. I don't know what made me want to applique onto Radiance right now though... And to try starch instead of a stabilizer... Silly me...

[Margo C.]

Hmmmmm.....Keith, I've never used Radiance, but if you are looking for a stabilizer that will be stiff for sewing but soft after it's washed, you might want to try Ricky Tims' Stable Stuff. I used it in my machine applique tutorial for the Ruffled Roses BOM here: learn/classrooms/

You can get Stable Stuff in pre-cut sheets for your printer:
http://www.rickytims.com/online-stor...category_id=26

or by the yard:
http://www.rickytims.com/online-stor...category_id=26

[Kathryn S.]

Keith, only thing I know is from an Article in Threads magazine years ago. They talked about heavily starching silk fabric to make it stiff enough to sew into garments. They mentioned that when it is washed to get the starch out, it changes the look and hand of the fabric- dulls it and it is softer. As I remember the article, the starched silk was not even in color, but when it was washed the spottiness went away. Is there any way to get some more of your fabric and test? Gee I hope you are able to work this out.
Kathy

[Norma H.]

Radiance is 50%cotton and 50% silk. I have not used starch on it, but I have dyed it in many colors and that takes a lot of water and finally a hot wash. I have had no problems with it whatsoever, so my guess is that your stains will disappear when washed. Good luck. Don't you love the shine of it? I remember Judith Baker Montano talking about it in show 201. She paints on it.

[Judith A.]

Keith,
Joanie Zaier Poole uses Radiance. http://www.heirloomquiltingdesigns.c...docs/tips.html
She uses starch.
She also warns that the deeper Radiance colors bleed, and suggests that they be used for whole-cloth quilting.

Judy Austin

[Keith D.]

Thanks Margo, Kathy, Norma, and Judy! A good friend tested her Radiance - generated some starch and water spotting - and then washed it. All the spots came out great!

I'm playing with some dupoini silk now. It's releasing a lot of color into the cold wash water - I don't think it's transferring to anything though...

This is kind of fun! I need more time to play!