How do I use Heavy Water Soluble Film to create a 3-d Fabric Bowl?
by. Arthur Ridley

Romeo is a heavy weight water soluble film used in embroidery. It can be used to stabilise a fine fabric such as silk so that you can embroider onto the fabric without damaging it. Used like this the Romeo is completely dissolved after the completion of the embroidery by washing several times in water.

To create 3-D items the film is only partially dissolved and when the item is then dried the residue of the film hardens. This makes it possible for the fabric to be moulded into shape before drying. Romeo is the strongest weight of film.

Equipment List
20cm (8”) embroidery hoop
1 piece of organza 2cm larger all round than your hoop
2 pieces of Romeo 2cm larger all round than your hoop
Small pieces of fabric (glitter or sequin fabrics work well)
Machine embroidery threads. Madeira Polyneon works well
Breakfast bowl for a mould

Sewing Machine Method

Place the piece of organza over the outside of your hoop.
Place one piece of Romeo over the organza and then spread small pieces of fabric and cover the surface.
Cover with the other piece of Romeo, pull the fabrics taut and tighten your hoop with a screwdriver.
Set your sewing machine for free-motion embroidery.
Machine embroider over the surface of the film until you are satisfied that you have stitched over the fabric pieces.
Take your work out of the hoop and trim.
If you want the organza to form an edge leave 2cm around the edge of your embroidery.
Cover your mould with clingfilm to stop your fabric sticking as it dries.
Immerse your embroidery in warm water for 25 seconds, you should be able to feel that the film is dissolving.
Pull away any glue that is left around the edge of the organza.
Wrap the wet fabric round the mould and secure in place with pins.
Dry with a hairdryer or leave in a warm place.
When it is dry remove the pins and take the fabric off the mould.
You can adjust the size of your bowl by using larger moulds and increasing the size of your hoop.

Hand Stitching Method

Use the same method as above but instead of machine embroidery cover the surface of the film with hand stitching.

You can use any stitch and thread for this – just make sure you catch as many of the fabric pieces as you can with your stitching.

Arthur Ridley ©2009