The Tailor's Apprentice posted this on Facebook yesterday:
A fabulous tip on how to make buckram from the @Abigal's Closet group...
"BUCKRAM.............We always have people ask us about buckram, concerned that they have to have some special textile. In the 18th century buckram was used typically in men's clothing. It gave stiffness and shape especially in things like coats. Provided strength for weak places like button holes, button stand and pleat points. You can make your own buckram with ease. A variety of quality in linens were used. Typically unbleached being the least expensive linen. Get out your scrap bag or buy an extra 1/4 yard next time you get linen from us. The trick is to have a bottle of GUM TRAGACANTH in your stash. (see below link) Slather it on both sides and let it dry. Do as
many layers as you think for the stiffness you require. That's all there is to it. Good Luck!!"
This sounds like a relatively easy process, although gum tragacanth can be hard to get here in South Australia. I have a couple of metres of commercially produced buckram currently in my stash (and would prefer to use my dwindling supplies of gum tragacanth for sugarplate), but if any of the readers have tried this, please let us know your results!
where did you get the gum tragacanth from, Fionn?
ReplyDeleteSpotlight no longer seems to stock it and neither does Rhineland Bakery at TTP. I have used a company called 'Earl Craft and Cake' who does mail order, although they have also been having supply problems.
ReplyDeleteCame across your post here and wanted to leave a tip. In text`s it is often stated that buckram was stiffened with "glue`s and GUM`S (plural)". I am actually not sure why Gum Tragecanth is so extreamly focussed on. I have yet to find the source for that, but in reality a wide aray of differnt glues (animal and plant based) and differnt gum`s was used. And another gum avaible during the times, widely traded especially during the 18th century but also before, is Gum Arabic. Which in regards to processing into buckram and properties is nearly identical to Gum Tragecanth, making a buckram that is indistingusishable from a Tragecanth stiffened one. With the benefit of being a very common food additive, such being widely aviable and affordable. It´s my choice for making buckram, as finding Gum Tragecanth is indeed always quiet hard, and it can be quiet pricy.
ReplyDeleteGreat info! Thank you for your helpful comment.
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