Crazy Wool: Using Water-soluble Stabiliser

Sept 08

Not knitting or crochet, but the techniques employed definitely have possibilities for those interested in freeform work. The chosen fabric components - swirls or shreds of yarn in the books, but this could include pieces of hand or machine knitting and/or crochet - are sandwiched between two layers of water-soluble stabiliser and then machine-stitched at no more than 2.5 cm intervals before the stabiliser is dissolved to reveal the resultant fabric.

Lesley Fidler

Sept 08

If you've never used water-soluble stabilisers with wool before, prepare to be amazed.

Jeanette Knake's newest book shows you how to combine a mixture of coordinated wools with water-soluble stabiliser and create a range of fashionable garments. Beginners can learn everything they need to know in photographed step-by-steps, before moving on to the projects. Each of the 16 projects has a difficulty rating, so you can be sure to choose the most suitable ones for you to tackle - far better than starting a project that you may find difficult (or impossible) to finish! The basic technique involves cutting the stabiliser to size and shape, covering it with lengths of yarn, sewing over the top of it using a machine and then rinsing the stabiliser away. You'll use this technique, along with special effect yarns, to create scarves, shawls, sweaters and jackets, as well as bags, all with areal individual sense of style.

Dec 08

Woollen garments and no knitting needles or crochet hooks in sight? Make jumpers, shawls, bags and more with all kinds of yarns using a new water-soluble stabiliser called Vlieseline Soluvlies from Germany (where this book was originally published). Cut out the stabiliser like fabric and lay your yarns over the top, spray with adhesive, add a second layer and start to sew all over in lines or patterns using any sewing machine. Rinse out the stabiliser and like magic, it vanishes down the sink to leave your fancy, lacy fabric ready to be made into whatever you like.

This is easy, fun and versatile enough to appeal to a wide variety of fabric crafters. The items made are unusual and eye-catching and surely the only limit is your imagination. Templates are given at the back to be enlarged, simple enough for those not used to dressmaking patterns to at least have a go at some of the easier ones. The projects show whole page sized photographs of the items as well as some fairly clear instructions (without staged photographs) and a list of what you need. This is rarely very extensive, but anybody outside Germany might not be able to use the actual yarns shown. This should not pose too great a problem however as there are so many others available, and these do not appear to be unique. In all, this new take on sewing might appeal to those who either already sew and fancy a change, or those who have not attempted it because it appears to be too arcane.

Also available as a companion to this book is Crazy Felt, which shows how to make felt using Vlieseline Soluvlies.