If your wire gimp is crinkling, then I suggest that it's too fine a wire for the project. Your wire should bend readily but hold it's shape once it is put in place. In the USA, the craft shops carry a package of colored wires for general craft use and this wire works very well in lace flowers. Your craft shops might have a similar wire. I don't know the official gauge of this wire. A firm colored wire can make a nice outside edge of a flower
As for stiffening, I use commercial spray starch on my flowers -- whatever I find in the local super market. I pin the lace pieces out on a piece of cardboard covered with plastic wrap or waxed paper, spray, and blot off the excess with paper towel. Let air dry, or use a hair dryer if in a hurry. Starch can be removed with water. It also can attract bugs if stored for long periods. It may need to be resprayed after a few years. Alice in Oregon -- on a wet, cool day, and I plan to stay indoors as much as possible. My lace is calling me. ----- Original Message ---- From: Sue <hurwitz...@talktalk.net> Subject: [lace] Flowers and stiffner I have finally begun working on a lace flower. ........... I decided to use wire as an outside gimp so I could bend leaves into shape rather than have them floppy or use stiffner of another kind but I find the wire crinkles up from time to time. I have smoothed it out gently and its ok, but I am wondering about working with starch, or other kinds of stiffner for other flowers. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
