Polyvinyl Alcohol Stiffener
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA, sometimes referred to as PVOH)is a water soluble polymer used widely in adhesives, paints, sealants, coatings, textiles, plastics etc. The polymer is normally supplied in powder form and several grades are available with varying viscosity and solubility characteristics. This should not be confused with Polyvinyl Acetate, also known as PVA ( a popular wood glue) which is insoluble in water. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_alcohol
From 100g of Polyvinyl Alcohol powder you can make 1.5l of stiffener solution (non poison!) which
can be kept in glass container with an air-tight lid for months.
All my leather and silk flowers are made using this PVA stiffener.
Preparation method of PVA stiffener:
- 30 g. PVA (5 heaped table spoon, 0lb 1.058219oz) powder add 500 ml. (2 cups, 0.5283441qt) cold water and leave for 1 hour to PVA absorb the water .
- Put the bowl with this mixture into a saucepan with water (double boiler). Put it on a low heat hot plate and stir until PVA is completely dissolved and mixture is
- Strain through material get rid of small
- Put the mixture into the jar with close
This mixture can be kept in glass container with an air-tight lid for months.
You can watch how to make a PVA solution from the powder here:
For making leather flowers you have to apply the PVA solution with the brush to back sides of your leather parts. Different types of leather may need a additional coating of PVA, especially if you work with thin leather.
If you make silk or fabric flowers, there are several methods to apply PVA stiffener:
- Put a clean piece of silk on the table and cover it with your cold mixture using brush or tooth brush; or
- Dip your piece of material into a shallow bowl with warm PVA stiffener (you can preheat the stiffener in the microwave). By hand squeeze the excess of stiffener and gently wring it; or
- Make a mixture of 100ml (3.381402us fl oz) of water plus 1 tablespoon of good quality wood glue. Add two tablespoons of the PVA stiffener, mix well. Apply as in method 2, but don’t
After applying the stiffener carefully put it on the clothes line in a single layer, avoiding direct sun light. Iron it on a low temperature when it is dry. If you are not going to use it straight away, roll it into a cylinder shape
Using PVA in hat making, treat it like your usual millinery stiffener. You paint one coat on, let dry to just damp and then block as you normally would. One of the advantages is that it doesn’t darken the straw. Whilst on the block, use a sponge dipped in PVA and squeezed out to apply the second coat, if required. Apply enough that it is not drenched, just damp and then let dry. The block must be covered with a good waterproof cover like glad wrap etc.
You can also use this PVA powder as a SLIME activator. We have specially made a Video of “How to make great slime using PVA ”
Have fun!
