|
Q.
|
What is Fiber Etch®? |
|
A.
|
Fiber Etch® Fiber Remover
is a gel which creates decorative effects by removing fiber. |
|
Q.
|
Are there particular fibers
that are removed by Fiber Etch®? |
| A. |
Yes. Fiber Etch® removes plant
fibers: cotton, linen, ramie, rayon and paper. It is also
very effective on fabric blends (and most noticeable on blends
containing at least 50% plant fibers). |
| Q. |
What happens when Fiber Etch® contacts
stitching? |
| A. |
For embroidery, use a thread that
Fiber Etch® will not remove: 100% polyester, acrylic,
nylon, metallic (not containing a rayon core), or silk. |
| Q. |
Since silk is a natural fiber,
won't it be removed by Fiber Etch®? |
| A. |
Specifically, silk is a protein
fiber, as is wool. Fiber Etch® will only remove plant
fibers. |
| Q. |
What keeps Fiber Etch® within
areas? |
| A. |
Two things. Fiber Etch® is
a gel, so it won't flow out of control. Also, satin stitching,
paint, or adhesives from iron-ons help to keep it contained
(as well as providing a non-raveling border around areas
to be removed). Use a hairdryer to speed drying of Fiber
Etch®. |
| Q. |
What happens if I get Fiber
Etch® on an area that I don't want to be removed? |
| A. |
Simply wash it out of the fabric
with soap and water. Alternately, you can sprinkle a bit
of baking soda to neutralize the area if the treated area
is still damp. |
| Q. |
What type of velvet is best
used with Fiber Etch®? |
| A. |
The velvet must be silk back with
rayon pile (Fiber Etch® removes the rayon pile and leaves
the silk back intact). |
| Q. |
To which side of the velvet
do you apply the Fiber Etch®? |
| A. |
If applying with a brush or from
the bottle, apply to the pile side. If silkscreening, apply
to the reverse side. |
| Q. |
What papers work best with
Fiber Etch®? |
| A. |
Choose an unsized cotton rag or
rice paper without plasticizers, fillers, or polishes. |
| Q. |
Are there particular things
to avoid when using Fiber Etch® Fiber Remover? |
| A. |
Avoid fabrics with heavy finishes
or wax polishes, or that are heavily pigment printed. Some
sizings can be washed out of fabrics. Artist quality fabrics
(ready to etch) may be purchased from us. |
| Q. |
When sewing and in need of
a stabilizer, what are the best stabilizers to use with
Fiber Etch®? |
| A. |
Use water-soluble or paper-based
stabilizers. Also good to use are coffee filters, freezer
wrap, and starch. |
| Q. |
How can I use Fiber Etch® for
cutwork? |
| A. |
Fiber Etch® is particularly
useful in removing small areas of intricate cutwork designs.
With silk or polyester thread on linen fabric, stitch three
close rows of small straight stitches following pattern lines,
then satin stitch over all three rows of straight stitching.
Apply Fiber Etch® at base of stitching. Apply to both
sides of heavier fabrics. |
| Q. |
What happens if the fabric
is not free of sizes of finishes? |
| A. |
Finishes do not allow Fiber Etch® to
permeate into the fibers of the fabric. Fiber Etch® will
remain on the top of the finish and simply turn the finish
brownish when ironed, not contacting the fabric fibers at
all. Washing will not always remove all finishes. |
| Q. |
What type of fabrics have finishes? |
| A. |
Many poly blend fabrics have finishes,
and many colorful cottons have finishes as well. |
| Q. |
How can I tell if my fabric
is free of finishes? |
| A. |
Unless you're using specifically
Kona® (quilter’s) Cotton, or fabric purchased from
us (which are all of the highest grade: PFP, which means "Prepared
for Printing"), testing a strip is necessary to ensure
it is finish free. |
| Q. |
How much Fiber Etch® fiber
remover should I apply? |
| A. |
Apply enough to permeate through
to the back side of the material. |
| Q. |
Is it all right to leave Fiber
Etch® on overnight? |
| A. |
Generally not. Silk content fabrics,
especially silk/rayon velvet and silk/rayon satin, contain
only 20% or so of silk. This renders the fabric very fragile
and sensitive to an extended period of Fiber Etch® contact. |
| Q. |
How long should I dry in the
dryer to activate silk content fabrics? |
| A. |
Place in a tumble dryer on low
(with a small, dry towel) for about 30 minutes. When activated,
treated area becomes stiff. You can test if sufficiently
activated by scratching with finger. |
| Q. |
What if the Fiber Etch® area
is still not activated? |
| A. |
If fabric is not sufficiently
activated after 1 hour in the dryer, finish activating with
an iron on low heat, using a press cloth. |
| Q. |
Is it possible to use too much
heat when ironing? |
| A. |
Yes, especially if your fabric
contains silk. After applying Fiber Etch®, be certain
to tumble dry all silk-blend fabrics prior to ironing. |
| Q. |
Should I dye the fabric first,
before etching? |
| A. |
No. Dyeing fabric is the last
step, after Fiber Etch® has been activated and removed. |
| Q. |
What type of wood can be used
for wood burning effects? |
| A. |
Select a soft, fine-grained wood.
We recommend a birch-faced plywood. |
