Decorating with Gossamer
Gossamer Fabric Decorating
Gossamer (Gossamer Fabric) is an extremely light, non-woven
"fabric" that is used to create wonderful ceilings and walls, to
create amazing bows, and to wrap with. Gossamer drapes and swags
beautifully and is a decorating must-have for creating a number of different
stunning looks. Gossamer comes in a wide array of colors, patterns, and
metallics, and in widths and lengths to suit any party decorating need!
How to Decorate with Gossamer Book
TENT-STYLE GOSSAMER CEILING
Suspend a 3' metal ring or a 3' circle of 1/2"
plywood in the center of the area to be decorated. The distance above the floor
is determined by personal preference, and ceiling height. If the gossamer
strips that will make up the ceiling cannot be fastened directly to the outside
walls of the room, run a wire around the room attached by inconspicuous screw
eyes. The wire could be an all-purpose steel or aluminum decorating wire from a
hardware or craft store. You could also use a monofilament line of 30 or 40
pound test.
Use 60" wide or 107" wide
gossamer strips to run from the center to the outside walls. To determine the
length of the gossamer strips, use a builder's or carpenter's measuring tape
and measure from the center ring or plywood disc to the walls. Start by
measuring the distance to the four corners - since those will be the longest
strips. If your ring or circle is positioned correctly in the center of the
room, you need only measure to one corner since all four will be the same.
Allow additional gossamer to fasten around the ring or fasten on top of the
circle and to fasten to the wall or around the wire.
Put up a test strip of gossamer
to one corner. If you have a ring, gather the gossamer to 2" or 3" across,
loop it around the ring and staple gossamer to itself. The stapled loop is on
top of the strip of gossamer, out of sight. If you have a wooden disc, gather
the gossamer the same way and use a staple gun to fasten it to the top of the
disc. Carry the gossamer to the wall, loop it over the wire (or fasten it
directly to the wall) and staple the gossamer in the same way - allowing for
a swag or droop in the fabric.
At the outside wall, pleat or
gather the gossamer to 1/2 its original width for the best appearance. The
60" wide gossamer should be 30" wide, the 107" wide gossamer should be 54"
wide.
19" wide gossamer is not
practical to use for ceilings in any but the smallest of rooms.
Measure additional strips and
fill in the complete ceiling the same way.
SIDE-TO-SIDE GOSSAMER
CEILING
Strips of gossamer of any length can be swagged across a room from one side
to the other. If you cannot fasten the gossamer directly to the walls, attach
wires along two opposite walls. Use screw eyes to hold the wires. A wire on
each side of a room will allow you to create a single swag of gossamer from one
side to another. An additional wire down the center of the room, parallel to
the two side wires, will create a double swag. Three equally spaced wires will
create four swags in the gossamer from one side of the room to the other.
60" or 107" wide gossamer make the most successful ceilings. At the outside wall, pleat or gather the
gossamer to 1/2 its original width for the best appearance.
Strips of any width gossamer can also be attached to all four walls and woven in and out (basket-like) for an
unusual ceiling treatment.
CREATING GOSSAMER BOWS
Use 19" wide gossamer to make bows from 18"
wide to 24" wide. Cut a 6' length of 19" wide gossamer. Fold it in half the
long way to 9 1/2" wide. Find the center of the gossamer (length). Fold the
ends in to the center and overlap slightly. Staple the ends in place. Repeat
the process with three more 6' lengths of gossamer. Line up the lengths one on
top of another. Twist the top three lengths slightly at a few degrees of angle
to create a wider bow. Staple all the lengths together. Cut a short piece of
19" wide gossamer, pleat and gather it to about 6" wide. Wrap it around the
center of the lengths, pull it tight and staple it together in the back of the
bow.
The same method can be used to make bows of any size, using 60" wide or 107" wide material.
The gossamer holds its shape beautifully. The bows have the same type of fullness that can only be created
with wired ribbon, at a fraction of the cost.
COVERING WALLS WITH
GOSSAMER
Any type of wall surface can be covered with
gossamer. Gossamer looks best if slightly stretched and pleated. Pleat each
gossamer strip to 1/2 its original width. Fasten the gossamer to a wall or run
a wire at the top and bottom of the wall. Attach the wires at each end with a
screw eye.
BRAIDING GOSSAMER
One, two or three colors of gossamer can be
braided together to create roping to swag from walls or ceilings. Use 19"
lengths of gossamer and gather them to approximately 2" wide. Braid the lengths
of gossamer using the standard method. Staple the braid at each end to keep the
lengths of gossamer in place.
GOSSAMER ROPE
An attractive, illuminated rope can be created
by wrapping a strand of clear twinkle lights in a length of pleated gossamer.
The pleated gossamer, with lights in the center, should be approximately 5" in
diameter.
Tie the gossamer into
sausage-like sections with curling ribbon pieces. Allow the ends of the
knotted curling ribbon pieces to hang down several feet. Give extra curl to
the ribbon lengths by pulling them over the open blade of a scissors.
Hang the gossamer rope in swags
from walls or ceilings.
WRAPPING WITH GOSSAMER
Stretched, pleated gossamer can be effectively used to cover doors and
columns, following the steps outlined for covering walls. Add gossamer bows or
gossamer rope for easy-to-make accents.
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