Homemade Fabric Stiffener Recipe
If you are not familiar with fabric stiffener, it is a product that makes the fabric you are working with stiffer and more rigid, allowing the fabric to literally be molded. For example, you can use the recipe below to make a fabric stiffener to be used to make a fabric bowl. Just rub the glue on the fabric and place the fabric in a bowl to dry for about 24 hours.
Fabric Stiffener Ingredients:
Fabric Stiffener Directions:
- Measure 1/2 cup of white glue and another 1/2 of water and pour them into a bowl.
- Stir the glue and water together until it is blended and has the consistency of milk.
Homemade Non-Permanent Fabric Stiffener
Unlike the recipe above, the recipe below is for a non-permanent fabric stiffener, which means it can be washed out and reapplied if need be.

Making homemade Mod Podge is easy. All it takes is some glue and some water. And did you know you can turn milk into glue with a few ingredients?
Homemade Non-Permanent Fabric Stiffener Ingredients
- Water
- 1/4 cornstarch
Homemade Non-Permanent Fabric Stiffener Directions:
- Mix 1 1/2 cups of cold water with 1/4 cup of cornstarch in a pot. Stir the mixture until it is smooth.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat until the solution becomes translucent and thickens slightly. Be sure to continuously stir the mixture. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely before using.
Homemade Mod Podge Recipe
Mod Podge is super fun to use but it can be expensive especially for mothers who are always doing arts and crafts with their children. Good thing there is a recipe for homemade Mod Podge below.
Homemade Mod Podge Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of white glue
- 16 oz water
Homemade Mod Podge Directions:
- Boil the water and heat the glue in the microwave until it is warm. Mix the glue with the boiling water and stir it together until it is an even consistency.
- Pour into a sealable container and store at room temperature.
Alternate Mod Podge Recipe
Mod Podge Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups Flour
- 1/4 of a cup of granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup water
Mod Podge Directions:
- Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and heat the mixture over a low heat, making sure not to boil the ingredients.
- After it has reached your desired consistency, empty into a jar.
- If you want to add more oil, the final product will be more glossy.
Recipe for Turning Milk to Glue
Did you ever think you could take milk and turn it into an effective glue? It is possible, and the recipe is below.
Milk to Glue Ingredients:
- 8 oz milk
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp baking soda
Milk to Glue Directions:
- Pour the milk into a pan and heat the milk on low heat. Do not let it boil.
- Add the vinegar and stir the mixture until clumps form.
- Using a strainer, pour the mixture into a jar. You might need to squeeze it through with a spoon.
- Put the product in the strainer back into the pan while also adding the baking soda and water.
- A casein material will begin to bubble. After it stops, use the leftover liquid as glue.
Sarah says
Wont adding milk cause the fabric to smell like spoiled milk?
Miss Bowleg says
Where does it say to add milk?
Laurie A says
There is a basic chemical reaction that occurs when separating milk into curds and whey. The curd part of the separated milk (solids from liquids) occurs when vinegar is added. The natural remainder is milk protein or “casein”. Casein is a natural glue. By adding baking soda to the casein, you’re making the milk solids go from acidic (vinegar added) to neutral. Many natural glues do well in most conditions but high humidity can promote mold if the applied glue isn’t quickly forced to dry. (drying in low temp oven, etc.)
Lorie says
It say it above\turning milk into glue
Donna says
It says the mixture will have the consistency of milk, another words, the glue and water mixed together will be the same thickness as milk, no milk is used.
Rhonda K Underwood says
Stir the glue and water together until it is blended and has the consistency of milk.
“Consistency of milk”
Jan says
third page: Milk to Glue Ingredients:
8 oz milk
1 tbsp vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp baking soda
Linda Sharp says
Hello: i wa wondering about the reciepe for the Mod Podge fabric stiffener would it be possible to use an other oil that is not olive oil?.Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you Linda.
Linda Sharp says
Hello: i was wondering about the Mod Podge reciep if you could use a different type of oil instead of olive oil?
Linda Sharp says
My e-mail is on this request.
Margaret Freedman says
Oops!
I used too much Elmers Glue with water and painted it on my felt hat I’m making.
Now I have a dried white residue on the inside of the hat.
Do you have any suggestions? I have soaked it in hot water and soap for over and hour, but the white is still there. Help.