Vanishing Act: Machine Embroidery on Soluble Fabrics • Jan Beaney

For creative embroiderers, water soluble fabric is one of the most exciting discoveries of the latter part of the 20th Century. By machine stitching on to a soluble fabric and ensuring all sections link one to another, a type of machine-made lace can be created. On dissolving the backing fabric a network of machine stitches is revealed, a unique cloth which can be heavily textured or appear as a fine tracery of gossamer filaments with delicate edgings and additions.

The material was initially made for use in hospitals as bags in which to store soiled linen in order to prevent the spread of infection. Once in the washing machine the bag dissolves during the wash cycle. The fashion industry has also used the fabric to support machine embroidered motifs and decorative cutwork. During the 1980’s machine embroiderers were given the opportunity to purchase the cloth and since then an amazing variety of machine lace has been created.

It is a versatile technique, an ideal choice for decorating a garment, creating textile jewelry and fashion accessories or for the construction of a background cloth or additional sections for wall panels or hangings. The total control the embroiderer has over the choice of color, texture and imagery, as well as the non-fraying effect, offer endless possibilities for creating much distinctive work.