I'm looking for a recipe for starching doilies with sugar water, to a very hard finish. It is a doily basket. I used to know this years ago and have forgotten it. Can someone help me? Thanks.
By Sharon from Santa Rosa, CA
I have used elmers white glue to stiffen crocheted objects. Dilute the glue by half. 2on glue 1 on water. This drys clear and if object gets dirty can be washed, just restiffen. If stored will not attract bugs either.
Sugar Starch Recipe for doilies
This is the old-fashioned starch used for lacy doilies.
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Mix water and sugar in a small pan. Stir the mixture over low heat (do not boil) until clear and not sugary. Remove pan from heat, and let mixture cool.
Wet the collar and cuffs of a blouse or lace doily. Roll in a towel to remove excess moisture and dip it into the mixture. Squeeze out excess starch, then shape the collar and cuffs or doily. Allow to dry and iron on warm setting.
Doilies do not need to be ironed when you use this starch. Just smooth out and shape while wet on a clean flat surface.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Is regular kitchen corn starch good to use for starching crocheted items?
Pat from Estacada, OR
Spray starch
I have used cornstarch and water mixture mainly because I can't find liquid starch anywhere.
I am looking for the starch recipe my mother used on crocheted doilies to make them super stiff and hard. They would not droop during humid weather.
By luwanna from Xenia, OH
I use any bottled liquid starch I find at Wal Mart or anyplace similar. It's always worked great for my doilies. I simply pour a small amount into a bowl. I place the doilies in the bowl, and add enough water to cover, mixing for just a few seconds. I allow them to soak for approximately 1-2 minutes, then roll them up in a towel to get most of the moisture out. After that I iron them as usual.
I find I only have to do this about every 4-5 washings, simply using a light spray starch in the meantime.
I'm making a 3D crochet water lily out of acrylic yarn and I would like to waterproof and stiffen it to place it on my daughter's grave. Do you have any suggestions for methods of stiffening such a product?
You can soak it in starch. Then spray with Scotchgard waterproofing spray.
Starch will make the crochet stiff, however, rain and humidity will make the crocheted article less stiff and may return it to it's original state. You can restarch, of course, but the same will happen in the next rain. There are water resistant stiffeners you can consider.
I am sorry for your loss. Undoubtedly the water lily means something to you and your daughter's memory but I cannot help but feel that no matter how you stiffen this item, you will be very disappointed with the result.
Thank you for taking the time to clarify as I was very concerned about placing an open item out in the weather. This idea sounds like a lovely way to place a remembrance at a daughter's grave site and I hope it turns out even nicer than expected.
I wonder if you could encase it in a clear resin? They sell the resin at hobby stores.
I made crochet doily globes and filled them with LED light strands. I want to use them in a bathroom with much humidity. How can I waterproof them?
I am assuming you are speaking of 'stiffened' crocheted globes?
You do not say what type of stiffening method you used with your globes so I do not think we can give you a 'sure to work' suggestion.
I would be very careful with spraying anything on these globes until you discuss your stiffening method as you may wind up with one gooey mess.
I have seen similar projects sprayed with different 'suggestions' and hence turned into a very 'sticky' ball and some turned 'moldy' in no time.
Perhaps you could experiment with some small crochet pieces stiffened with your method and see how they react.
You might also ask your question at a local craft sewing shop or even at Michael's or Jo Ann's.
Check your craft store for different waterproof sprays to see if any state using on similar projects.
Certain crochet projects, such as doilies or ornaments, need to be starched to stiffen them upon completion. This is a page about starch recipe for crocheted items.
