Replies

1. 
   jatman | Nov 21, 2008 12:14pm | #1

   How about:

   http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/store/product.php?productid=926

   or

   http://www.agreatnotion.com/catalogue/index1.html

   Looks like Vogue is a lot cheaper but I don't know what shipping will be.

   Enjoy!

   JT

    

1. 
   schmatta | Nov 21, 2008 05:26pm | #2

   Thank you, jatman! I have just ordered two containers of this stuff. Watch me sew small pieces of slippery silk as if they were cotton. See me cut into chiffon and charmeuse at a single stroke.
   Uh, well, if it works, anyway.

1. 
   jatman | Nov 21, 2008 05:30pm | #3

   Wow!  I may need to get some, too!  You have to let us know how it works, ok?

   JT

2. 
   Josefly | Nov 22, 2008 10:39pm | #4

   Yeah, please let us know. Have you tried the spray-starch trick with slippery fabrics?

1. 
   schmatta | Nov 22, 2008 10:42pm | #5

   No, I didn't know that trick. Might have save some $$, huh?
   Product hasn't arrived yet, but I'll post a review. Might even try a scientific comparison using same fabric: one with the stabilizer, one with spray starch.

1. 
   Josefly | Nov 22, 2008 11:08pm | #6

   It'll be interesting to have the comparison. I've tried neither method, but lots of folks here say the spray starch works very well. Even on silk, which they wash first, of course. It would have to be washable, to get the starch out. Are there fabric limitations with the Sullivan's?

2. 
   schmatta | Dec 01, 2008 05:51pm | #7

   preliminary testing report:I sprayed three 12-inch pieces of lightweight pre-washed silk and let 'em dry. Then cut into big V-shapes (like skirt gores) and sewed 'em together. This gave the added challenge of bias-ish seams.
   I used regular dual-duty, all-purpose thread and -- get this -- didn't even put in a new needle!
   It was like sewing cotton. Easy. Smooth seams, no puckers or slipping.
   Haven't washed out product yet and haven't gone for the big challenges of chiffon and charmeuse, but so far I'm giving Sullivan's Fabric Stabilizer good marks.
   Toxicity? Environmental concerns? Could be a problem.

3. 
   Josefly | Dec 01, 2008 08:38pm | #8

   I'm glad you're pleased with the results, and hope it helps on your specific project. Thanks for the update. Give another when you've laundered? and when you finish your project?Also, is there some reason you're questioning toxicity and environmental effects? Is there an odor to the product, or warnings about using it in a well-ventilated place?

4. 
   schmatta | Dec 01, 2008 08:49pm | #9

   Oh, yeah, warnings galore. Plus the following: "contains synthetic polymer solution ... acetone ... dimethyl ether ... liquefied petroleum gas." I'm surprised they allow this product to be shipped via U.S. Mail.
   Guess I should buckle down and learn how real couturiers work, huh?

5. 
   Josefly | Dec 01, 2008 09:26pm | #10

   That does sound like something I don't want to breathe!But, couturiers do a lot of hand-stitching. I'll do some of that, but I'm not often ready to spend so much time basting and hand-finishing. So I'm always on the lookout for something that will make me more confident about trying something new and/or difficult, or which will save me some time.