I
don’t know if there’s a right or a wrong way to block snowflakes. I
know there’s always a lot of discussion among snowflake fans--what
works, what doesn’t, best way to pin down the snowflake, what kind of
pin is best etc.. It a perpetual discussion…I think it all boils down to
personal preference and personal experience.
This is how I block my snowflakes, it works for me, it’s easy . Easy is always good in my book.
There are things you need to block snowflakes:
A pinning pattern
A pinning board
Freezer wrap
Wax paper
Tape--Shipping or package tape works best
Pins--Quilting pins or T pins
Elmer’s Glue--white glue, not school glue--there’s a difference!
A couple of gallon size Zip Lock bags.
Some gentle liquid dish washing soap--no bleach. I usually have Ivory on hand as I wash a lot of spinning fiber, but you can use anything as long as it’s bleach free.
Don’t let the list intimidate you, if you’re only doing a few snowflakes. You don’t have to do all of it. I do literally dozens upon dozens of snowflakes every year so I tend to make my pinning board last a while!
A pinning pattern--This is the one I use. Print it off and use it. Getting the points of a snowflake to line up is not an easy thing to eyeball! You can get away without using a blocking guide on some snowflakes, but I've learned the hard way it's better to save yourself the headache and use the pinning pattern.
A pinning board-This can be just about anything you have in the way of cardboard. As long as it’s thick it will work. That said, I’ve been known to use a couple of pieces of pizza box glued together (The non-greasy side!) You can use an old cork backed message board or tag board. As long as it is about a quarter of inch thick, you can use it.
Freezer wrap-- I wrap my board in this waxy side up. This keeps the snowflakes from sticking to the board which they will do since the stiffener is made from glue!
Wax paper--This goes over the pinning pattern in a few layers. Wax paper is easier to see through than freezer wrap. The wax paper also protects your snowflake from the ink on the pinning pattern. I’ve had the ink bleed through a few times and it was not a happy experience. If you’re making just a few snowflakes--you can replace the freezer wrap with wax paper. Just make sure it you put several layers over the pinning board. *Side note: I've had people ask me about parchment paper. Yes, it does work and if you have on hand by all means use it rather than buying wax paper--I don't recommended simply because it's expensive--especially if you're making just a few snowflakes.
Tape-- Pretty obvious, the freezer wrap and wax paper have to stay put! Gift wrapping tape will work but you have to LOTS of it. I’ve used duct tape and it works, so if that’s what you have use it. Shipping or packaging tape works best.
Pins--This is one of the great debates among snowflake fanatics…What kind of pins to use. I’ve used quilting pins and T-pins and have had success with them. My only rust issue came from using the bargain brand run of the mill straight pins. When I talk about rust, I'm not talking about the usual colored rust...This rust is kind of gray, it comes from the pins. You can use them, but just remember they are given to to silver and they're a lot harder to hang on to when your hands are covered in slippery gooey stuff!
Elmer’s Glue--It has to be white glue. School glue won’t hold up well and will yellow a lot faster than white glue. All snowflakes will yellow after a number of years, the great thing about the Elmer’s glue is that you can soak your snowflakes for a few days and the glue will melt away. Then you can redo the blocking process and have fresh as the newly fallen, well …snowflakes. :o)
Zip Lock bags-- I use these to mix up the stiffener and to wash the snowflakes. You can also use plastic bowls as long as they have a lid. Butter tubs or Cool Whip tubs work really well!
Liquid dish washing soap-- Because snowflakes need to be washed before you block them. But don’t use bleach, especially if you’re using crocheting thread. Bleach has a tendency to break down the cotton fibers and can cause damage to your snowflakes.
This is how I block my snowflakes, it works for me, it’s easy . Easy is always good in my book.
There are things you need to block snowflakes:
A pinning pattern
A pinning board
Freezer wrap
Wax paper
Tape--Shipping or package tape works best
Pins--Quilting pins or T pins
Elmer’s Glue--white glue, not school glue--there’s a difference!
A couple of gallon size Zip Lock bags.
Some gentle liquid dish washing soap--no bleach. I usually have Ivory on hand as I wash a lot of spinning fiber, but you can use anything as long as it’s bleach free.
Don’t let the list intimidate you, if you’re only doing a few snowflakes. You don’t have to do all of it. I do literally dozens upon dozens of snowflakes every year so I tend to make my pinning board last a while!
A pinning pattern--This is the one I use. Print it off and use it. Getting the points of a snowflake to line up is not an easy thing to eyeball! You can get away without using a blocking guide on some snowflakes, but I've learned the hard way it's better to save yourself the headache and use the pinning pattern.
A pinning board-This can be just about anything you have in the way of cardboard. As long as it’s thick it will work. That said, I’ve been known to use a couple of pieces of pizza box glued together (The non-greasy side!) You can use an old cork backed message board or tag board. As long as it is about a quarter of inch thick, you can use it.
Freezer wrap-- I wrap my board in this waxy side up. This keeps the snowflakes from sticking to the board which they will do since the stiffener is made from glue!
Wax paper--This goes over the pinning pattern in a few layers. Wax paper is easier to see through than freezer wrap. The wax paper also protects your snowflake from the ink on the pinning pattern. I’ve had the ink bleed through a few times and it was not a happy experience. If you’re making just a few snowflakes--you can replace the freezer wrap with wax paper. Just make sure it you put several layers over the pinning board. *Side note: I've had people ask me about parchment paper. Yes, it does work and if you have on hand by all means use it rather than buying wax paper--I don't recommended simply because it's expensive--especially if you're making just a few snowflakes.
Tape-- Pretty obvious, the freezer wrap and wax paper have to stay put! Gift wrapping tape will work but you have to LOTS of it. I’ve used duct tape and it works, so if that’s what you have use it. Shipping or packaging tape works best.
Pins--This is one of the great debates among snowflake fanatics…What kind of pins to use. I’ve used quilting pins and T-pins and have had success with them. My only rust issue came from using the bargain brand run of the mill straight pins. When I talk about rust, I'm not talking about the usual colored rust...This rust is kind of gray, it comes from the pins. You can use them, but just remember they are given to to silver and they're a lot harder to hang on to when your hands are covered in slippery gooey stuff!
Elmer’s Glue--It has to be white glue. School glue won’t hold up well and will yellow a lot faster than white glue. All snowflakes will yellow after a number of years, the great thing about the Elmer’s glue is that you can soak your snowflakes for a few days and the glue will melt away. Then you can redo the blocking process and have fresh as the newly fallen, well …snowflakes. :o)
Zip Lock bags-- I use these to mix up the stiffener and to wash the snowflakes. You can also use plastic bowls as long as they have a lid. Butter tubs or Cool Whip tubs work really well!
Liquid dish washing soap-- Because snowflakes need to be washed before you block them. But don’t use bleach, especially if you’re using crocheting thread. Bleach has a tendency to break down the cotton fibers and can cause damage to your snowflakes.
A few notes of precaution:
This is messy. There is no way to get around it. Wear old clothes and if you're using glitter beware the potential for having glitter all over the place is very real! No joke, I've had glitter in my eyebrows and didn't know it until someone at church pointed out my eyebrows were sparkly.
If you wear acrylic nails, wear gloves. This glue, especially with glitter can kill a nail job. Been there done that. One of the reasons I no longer have long nails.
Okay…Got your stuff? Good! On to the next step
Wrap your pinning board in the freezer wrap or wax paper. Put tape on the corners of your pinning pattern and tack it down securely. Wrap several layers of wax paper over your pinning pattern. If your board is large enough you may be able to fit several pinning patterns on one board. I try to fit at least six to a board if not more. The more I can block at one time, the better!
Wash your snowflakes in a few drops of the dish washing soap---Fill the zip lock bag about half way with water, add the soap, put the snowflakes into the bag and shake gently. Rubbing your snowflakes is a no no too, rubbing breaks down the fibers. I let mine soak for a few hours or even overnight. To rinse, hold the snowflakes under cold running water until the water goes clear. I use a clean kitchen colander when I’m rinsing a bunch of snowflakes.
While your snowflakes are soaking, it’s time to mix up the stiffener solution. The solution that works best for me is one part glue and and 2 parts water. . If you’re doing a few snowflakes ¼ cup of glue and ½ cup of water will be enough. You can add a little bit of glitter glue for an extra sparkle. I like the mother of pearl effect so I add little bit of opalescent glue. Some people prefer to glitter after they’ve dipped their snowflakes, and that’s okay too.
So the board is ready, the snowflakes are washed--Time to start pinning!
This is the most time consuming part of blocking snowflakes. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll see it goes by a bit faster.
Dip the wet snowflakes into the stiffener solution. You can put two or three snowflakes into the solution at one time. Gently squeeze the excess glue out of the snowflake before putting it on the pinning board. Put the snowflake on a pinning pattern and gently spread it out matching up the points of the snowflake with the lines on the pinning board.
Now for the pinning. Always pin from the center out to the points. Put a pin into the center of the snowflake and into the center of the pinning pattern. Then pin each section of the snowflake to the matching pattern line all the way to the end. The photos below will help explain this better. You might wonder why pin the center if there is a hole in the center of snowflake...Well, knowing where the center is will help you keep from pulling the snowflake too far in one direction. It's more or less just a point of reference while you're pinning down your snowflake.
After the pinning allow the snowflakes to dry overnight or for at least 6 to 12 hours. When dry pull all your pins out being careful to hold down the snowflake as you pull. Once the pins are out place your hand over the snowflake and gently move your hand back and forth. This will loosen the snowflake from the board and you will be able to pull it up.
Tie a length of crochet thread, yarn or embroidery thread to your snowflake by passing the string through an opening on the point of the snowflake.
Store the snowflakes laying flat in a box or other container.
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