Foiling Fabric
Metallic foils add sparkle and interest to fabric. This technique uses paper-backed fusible webbing as the adherent. You will need foil, webbing, and an iron. These foils can also be used with fabric glue that has been painted or stamped onto fabric. See foil instructions for these techniques.
Metallic
foils come in gold, silver and assorted colors. These foils are
permanent when applied, but can not be ironed afterward. Look
for foils made for fabric, although those made for paper sometimes
work as well. The foil you purchase should be the type that requires
heat burnishing.
Draw a mirror image of your design onto the paper backing of the fusible web. Any size design can be used but it's easiest if the entire design fits beneath the sole plate of your iron. Place the fusible web over the chosen image and trace with a pen. To get a mirror image, place the original design face down, cover with webbing and trace. A light table makes this easier, or trace against a sunny window pane.
Cut
out out the design and iron it to your fabric, shiny side down.
When cool peel away paper to reveal fabric glue in the shape
of your design. Place foil shiny side up on top of design, and iron
according to foil manufacturer's instructions.
Carefully
peel away the foil when completely cool. If the design isn't completely
covered with foil, it's sometimes possible to lay a new piece of foil
down and heat only those areas that need extra coverage. Foiled pieces
may be washed and dried on a low heat setting. Do not iron, or the glue
will melt and the foil will come off.
