I came across an article yesterday regarding rubber cement and corsetry on sempstress.org. I was intrigued by this idea and could immediately see the benefit of gluing your pieces together prior to stitching. This was a particularly nice idea while my fingers are in the healing stages after padstitching multiple layers for my unboned velvet stays a la Eleonora di Toledo. Another of my many projects in the works is a Tudor corset, which I am machine sewing (my fingers are happy). I had Simplicity 2621 from my (technically unfinished) farthinggale project and I made a size 12 mockup rather quickly. With some modifications for back AND front lacing and boned tabs, it fit pretty well right away. Instead of padstitching, I am going to try the above mentioned rubber cement method to layer my fabric, buckram, cotton duck interlining, and cotton lining.
However, rubber cement is not the most period option, which led to me googling potato starch glues. While I didn’t find a whole lot of renaissance glue recipes (I did not search anywhere near hard enough), I did find a good selection of food based glues that I now want to try, especially since I don’t have rubber cement handy.
- Potato glue (from http://www.zoom-kidsforclimate.eu/121.html)
Grate a peeled potato in a bowl and add three spoons of water. After a few minutes, you can press it with a spoon so the potato starch is on the spoon. Then heat four spoons of the potato starch with four spoons of water until the mass thickens – but don’t let it cook! The potato glue dries yellowish and is suitable for paper works.
- Basic Glue (from http://www.toddlerhaven.ca/crafts.htm#GLUE)
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoons white vinegar
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup cold water
Mix water, syrup and vinegar in small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil. In small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water. Add this mixture slowly to first mixture. Stir constantly. Let stand overnight before using.
- Milk and Baking Soda (from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-make-glue.html)
Powdered milk – 2 tablespoons
Hot tap water – 1/4 cup
Vinegar – 1 tablespoons
Baking Soda – 1/2 teaspoon
Mix powdered milk and some of the hot tap water (depending on the quantity of powdered milk used) and stir it well.
Add vinegar to milk. Milk will separate into solid yogurt and liquid whey. Stir till all the milk has separated completely.
Strain away the whey. Secure a paper towel with rubber band over the mouth of a large cup. Put the yogurt in it. Place another piece of paper towel on the yogurt and press it firmly so that, almost all of whey drains out from the yogurt.
Put the yogurt in a separate cup and break it into smaller lumps.
Add 1 teaspoon of hot water and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda. Some foaming may occur because the reaction of baking soda and vinegar releases carbon dioxide.
Stir the glue till it has an even consistency. Add water if it is too thick. If it is too lumpy add more baking soda.
Refrigerate it when not in use. Discard it when it starts smelling like spoiled milk.
- Homemade Glue Recipe (from http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2010/08/homemade-glue.html)
1 cup boiling water
3 tablespoons white flour
4 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon sugar
1. Put boiling water in a pot.
2. Mix flour and cold water well. Use a whisk to get rid of any clumps.
3. Slowly pour the flour mixture into the hot water, mixing the whole time.
4. Turn on fire under the pot and heat until mixture thickens. Mix constantly. This should take only a minute or two.
5. Once thick, turn off fire and mix in sugar.
6. Transfer to a container for storage, and then put in the refrigerator.
7. Once cool, use as you would any other glue.