wrinkles in fabric art

[framanista]

The art is from tibet and is made of various pieces of cloth sewn together. Theres embridery with various types of thread including metalic. Beads and sequins are also sewn on. There are wrinkles where it was folded. My question is is there any way to get the wrinkles out without damaging the piece. Any advice is appriciated. Thanks.

[EllenAtHowards]

This is a perfect time to tell you about a new ironing board cover (which you can also use as a table pad if you buy the right size) that is FABULOUS! It is called, appropriately enough, the Miracle Ironing Board Cover. It is a Nomex-type fabric (like the race car drivers' clothing) which reflects heat so efficiently that you can iron with a Medium setting on fabrics that used to take a really hot iron, like linen. It has a foam pad that nicely cushions and supports sequins, beads, buttons and cutwork . You would probably want a Travel Pad size, which is 14" x 27" and costs $22.95. Yeah, it's pricey, but trust me on this. You can contact them at 707-745-1138. They are out of Benicia, CA, and the name of the company is MeasureMatic, Inc.

[framanista]

Thanks for the info about that new product, but I don't dare put an iron on this thing, it may burn. I might try spraying a little watter on it and gently pressing on in with my fingers.

[Framerguy]

YOu could also try a steamer on the fabric. Hold it vertically and run the steamer up and down the back side of the uh, whatchamacallit.

The steam should relax the wrinkles and make your afternoon more enjoyable all around. ;)

Framerguy

[HannaFate]

If this is the kind of Tibetan fabric art I am familiar with, it is made from bits of antique clothing recycled. I wouldn't use anything more agressive than steam. The steam may make some of the "jewels" fall out, but you can glue them back on. (They are put on with mucilage to begin with, you can use Elmer's) If steaming doesn't soften the wrinkles, leave them be. They are "an aesthetic part of the piece".

[Framing Goddess]

Is this the kind of piece that could get stitched to another, larger piece of fabric and then stretch that?
Unbleached muslin as a backer has worked out well for me many many times, especially on things that need to get stretched but could not bear all of the stress of doing so. I have used the method on delicate silk scarves, shattered old silk embroidery and old cross-stitch samplers. I usually just stitch it on, leaving about 2-3 inches of extra fabric on all sides, with a million tiny running stitches somewhere near the perimeter of the original piece. I have used cotton and cotton/poly thread, mostly. This is not a project for monofilament, btw, but you all knew that.

edie the takeithomeanddoitinfrontofthetv goddess

[Rebecca]

Water spray could cause tidelines and problems with painted surfaces. Very light steaming on folds only, with a pressing cloth interleaf could work. Or vertically, as FG suggests. But beware of iron/steamer spitting.

Edies's suggestion could also work - lay on previously washed, lightly stretched fabric and gently hand stitch along some seam lines and at perimeter. Wrap edges of mounting fabric around to the reverse of 8-ply and secure with encapsulating tape.

I'm sure Hannahfate was joking about the Elmers. Right HF :D ?

Rebecca