Cornstarch to stiffen thread

[SCEtoAUX]

While looking for a good way to stiffen thread for rigging and antennae ran across this site that suggests using cornstarch.
Thread Crochet and Snowflakes
The instructions say to simmer 1 tablespoon (or about 15 ml) of cornstarch in 1/2 cup (or around 118 ml, maybe a 125 ml measuring cup will be OK) of water until transparent. It won't get clear, but you will see the milky appearance reduce some what. I simmered it for around 10 minutes.

Tried it out on some silk thread and some regular sewing thread(polyester maybe?) to see how it works. It turned out good. The thread did not get rigid like thin wire, but a length of around 7"(or around 18 cm) had only a slight droop when held horizontally. I treated the thread twice, allowing it to dry between treatments. The first treatment was with the hot mixture, the second was with a cooled down mixture.

[KCinKC46]

You might also try spray-on corn starch. Suggested by a friend.

[Leif Ohlsson]

Very good tip! I'll try it. Especially since you say it works also on polyester. Thank you! - Leif

[SCEtoAUX]

The regular sewing thread used did not have anything on the spool to indicate what it is made of. I put a flame to it and it flared and burned with no ash left behind. Could not detect any distinct odor. Asking and searching revealed that some common sewing thread is polyester or rayon. Some sewing thread is cotton, but that has a different kind of burn to it when subjected to flame.

[Rocky]

Right now I'm looking for a way to simulate wiring and small tubing.
How does it react to being bent and glued? does it "swell up" any?

[db-sa]

Wouldn't silverfish love it? Just a thought.

[Art Deco]

Doug, next will you be trying this technique on your collars and cuffs? ;-)

[SCEtoAUX]

A perfuntory glue up and bend did not show any problems with adhesion, swelling, or unsightly kinks. It bent around a small diameter sewing needle with no problems. It is only cornstarch and water, give it a try to see if it will suit your purporse.

Wouldn't silverfish love it? Just a thought.

That is what geckos are for.

Doug, next will you be trying this technique on your collars and cuffs? ;-)

Nope, going to stick to heavy duty spray starch.

Here is a photo with the top thread treated once and the bottom thread untreated. The thread is polyester.

The photo looks to be a bit over processed.


Here is #100 silk thread


Here is some cotton twine with one treatment.


Looks like cotton and polyester thread work the best. Someone else might get different results, I am not doing rocket surgery.

[DeadlyTedly]

Plain clear-drying glue also works well. Put a dab on a finger, run the thread through, then hang from anything with a paper clamp, weight other end with another clamp. Very nicely straight when dry.

[brainfreeze]

I have used regular Elmers glue with a couple of drops of airbrush paint, I can't remember but I might have thinned it to soak in better.