Cutting Your Losses

I've been tinkering around with fabric stiffener for the last month or so (seems I'm not the only one) and had come up with a solution that I thought would work for Lucie's mobile-- little fabric butterflies cut from a Liberty print.  I was really happy with the butterflies and yesterday I sewed them on to stripey string to attach to the top of the mobile that I had made ages ago.  They were all perky, and I was pretty happy with it overall, just a few steps left to go.

As I put Lucie to bed last night, I turned on the humidifier because she was congested.  I thought at the time that it may take away the stiffness of the butterfles, but figured I should test it now so I didn't put even more work into it only to have it ruined later.  So, this is what I awoke to-- floppy butterflies.  I think I am going to cut my losses at this point...I am ready to move on, and I won't be a professional mobile maker any time soon.  I do have some plans for the other half of the butterflies that I made in another part of the room, and I think they will work just fine.  As for these, every girl needs a few strands of butterflies in her life, don't you think?  Elliot has already requested that one strand of them be attached to a wand for him.

Comments

[sally]

I actually like the droopy little butterflies! And I must be on the same wavelength as you + Blair, I've been playing around with fabric stiffener + linen...trying to make some mobile-type things...loads of fun. Have you tried two layers of fabric [I used linen] + fusible web + thin wire? I had some luck with this combination. Don't give up...I see professional mobile-making in your future. =)

[Lynn in Tucson]

What about...painting them with white glue or Tacky glue (let them dry on wax paper and then peel them off)? Or even spray shellac (you may not want to deal with it while you're pregnant). That would probably make them slightly transparent....

The fusible web idea is a good one, too.

[Alicia]

Maybe they look bad in person but I kind of like them. What about using Timtex?

[sulu-design]

I scrolled down before reading your text, and I thought the butterflies were floppy flowers at first. What about an intentional change in shape ('cause I think your mobile is too good to throw in the towel)?

[Elizabeth]

I think they look great in the second picture! But if you want a humidity proof stiffness try watered down elmer's glue (or any white glue) painted on with a paint brush. Acrylic medium (matte or gloss) would probably also work.

[Sarah]

I'm with the others. Perhaps this wasn't the look you were aiming for but I think the drooping butterflies are quite sweet.

[josephine]

my grandma used to crotchet baskets and then soak them in a sugar liquid (i think it was just sugar and water), this always stiffened them up a treat... and it's a natural solution.

[Emy]

maybe add little bits of wire?

[lusummers]

you can get fabric stiffener especially designed to stiffen ordinary fabric to make roller blinds- and as these can be used in bathrooms, i'm sure humidity wouldn't be an issue, worth a try maybe? i always find the projects i've worked hardest on are so satisfying once i've worked out a solution to the 'wrinkles'!

[Island Jen]

oh no...! it looks so beautiful too. you are just so creative!

[bessiealma]

what about running very fine guage white floral wire along the backs of the wings (i've made flower petals this way- you shape, glue and then affix the fabric to the wire, cutting out afterwards)? then they would be malleable and supported...

[Maritza]

I still think they look pretty in that photo there.

[Stephanie]

How about fabric, cardstock, and modge podge? I'm with the others...don't give up yet!

[erin]

i like it as is, courtney! the print is so charming.

[elissa]

I think the droopy butterflies are quite precious. And it is true, all little girls need butterflies somewhere in their life.

[Amy]

I think they look like butterflies in flight.
If you look at the mobile as a whole, it's more natural and graceful than stiff butterflies would be, I think. Plus, it's so pretty.. I wouldn't change it!

[samantha]

I love them too. could you just iron them onto some cardstock with the fusible webbing? I've done this before, and it worked well.

[Melissa]

I would sandwich heavy fusible interfacing between 2 pieces of fabric. It will make them plenty stiff :) I've used this method to make many fabric brooches, and they held up just fine.

[JoAnna]

They look like they are about to fly in the picture! I love it.

[Lisa K.]

I second Melissa's comment about the interfacing. I used double-sided Steam a Seam on these:
http://losabia.wordpress.com/?s=%22button+flowers%22

You could even salvage your Liberty prints by fusing a different fabric on the tops of the wings.

[Zoe]

I am not sure if that picture is the before or after on the butterflies. If it is the after, I REALLY think that they are adorable and that you should keep them up! I know that it is hard when we have one thing in mind and it turns out differently but you are the only one that senses that!! That really really is an adorable mobile!!

PS For the angel that you asked about a few posts back, I don't know what you decided but for my 2 cents worth, I really liked the apron idea. :)

[molly]

it looks like you are getting great suggestions for fixing them up. i agree, they are too cute, so I hope it'll work out!
i still have a mobile plan in mind for elizabeth's room and I can tell she's getting to the point where it would really catch her attention.

[do]

I love your butterflies. You 've got doigts de fée!

[Rachelle]

I would be a pain but you could make two butterflys for each one and sew them together with something stiff in the middle?

c'est la vie, right?

and yes - butterflies are the quintessential, timeless, girly accessory!

[Lei]

c'est la vie, right?

and yes - butterflies are the quintessential, timeless, girly accessory!

[Marisa]

I've always wanted to make a mobile, and now I'm all the more scared to try. Guess maybe I should stick to what I know. Your mobile is beautiful in any case.

[andy]

I Loved your mobile, its a good idea to hang it in a lonely corner of my kitchen too! Thanks!

[Diana]

it is so wonderful..i have no words...thanks for showing it and many wishes to you and family..from Italy Diana.

[jesseca]

I think it's lovely and very sweet. I want one for my room :)

[Jude]

I love them! Totally gorgeous. I would agree with the comments above about fusible webbing.

[Nicole Ellison]

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[Nicole Ellison]

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