I had a "recipe" for using WSS scraps, put them in water along with alcohol. does anyone know the exact ratio of water to alcohol.

I know this is an old post but what type of Alcohol is used?

1 comment

by crafter2243 01 Jan 2018

My assumption would be rubbing alcohol

I use 2 cups of water to 1 packed cup of solvy scraps and about 1/4 cup alcohol. The alcohol keeps it from getting moldy. I use it like I use a starch. I paint it on fabric soaking the fabric. I just use the size of fabric that I'd hoop. If needed and place the fabric on top of a piece of foil to dry. I do it twice if I want it stiffer. I just iron the wrinkles out after it dries.

Sometimes I just put wss scraps on top of the project and then a whole sheet on top of that to keep the machine foot from getting caught in the scraps. I do this when I'm concerned that what I'm stitching on will pucker. I always do it on Tshirts. It seems to give the thread a tiny bit of more space between the fabric and thread so that the doesn't pucker. I thought I could just adjust the thread tension a tad so it isn't so tight, but that causes a ton of problems which is why I switched to using two layers of solvy on top.

What is this used for ????

1 comment

by pennyhal2 01 Jan 2018

I use it to "paint" on fabric that I want to be stiffer and not pucker so much...like napkins, or any thin material that is not knit or fuzzy or terry cloth. Maybe others use it on that type of material as well, but I don't have any experience with that. If you are stitching a hankie and you stiffen it, it is a lot easier to ME on.

Just read this in my pkg. of Wss. Dissolve 1 yard of WSS in 8 oz. of water. Brush onto any area that you want to stabilize. Allow to dry completly 9can be done using a hair dryer) Afte stiching, remove or submerge in water for a minute or two until all is dissolved.
Refirgerate remaining liquid stabilizer in a sealed, labeled jar for later use.

Sorry it doesn't talk about alchol. Hope this might help.

I've had this recipe for a very long time. It's called Solvy Goop Soup. Solvy scraps (1-2 yds worth)in quart jar, 1/2 cup alcohol and 1 cup water. Mix and let sit for a day. I've had mine in a jar with a lid, on a shelf for several years and it is still good.

1 comment

by relew 26 Jan 2012

that's it! thank you - I have had mine for over 2 years. Still good. wnated to share it with a class I'm co-teaching.

I'd like to know too, have a bag of scraps, I usually try and piece together some to make a second layer when I need to but it is hard to catch all of it without the sewing foot catching under it. I know you can paint the liquid on top of towels when you embroider them.

I remember being told that it is equal amounts of wss to water. Half cup wss scraps plus half cup water. Put mix into jar and shake well. OK - the next question is - how long does this mix last? Do I keep it in the fridge? I just find it easier to use the scraps on top of a single layer of wss. Don't waste the scraps by mixing with alcohol - probably would give you a stiff neck if you drank it!!! (Sorry).

2 comments

by gerryb 26 Jan 2012

I had already scrolled onto something else & caught what you meant about the stiff neck. That's funny. And I don't even drink...liquor OR WSS!!

by cooperal 04 Jan 2018

Gotta love your sense of humour, Deeside!! You'd have to make sure you drank your 8 glasses of water each day to soften up!!

I had not heard about using alcohol, I just use water. Then I can stabilize any fabric I want. I wonder what the alcohol would do, after all it does evaporate.

1 comment

by janetedna 26 Jan 2012

I did read you mix something in to keep it from going mouldy but I can't remember what. I just use water. Jan