What is Scrim, is it Cheesecloth?
I saw an interesting question on Facebook today, someone asked if the scrim mentioned on a site from the U.K. was the same as cheesecloth here in the U.S.. The answer is, for the most part, yes, it is. Especially in fiber pieces, art quilting, mixed media the terms refer to the same loosely woven cotton fabric.
Undyed 100% cotton scrim, scanned against a black background
In the fiber arts scrim is widely used as a background layer, as a base for felting, or even stiffened for 3-dimensional pieces. It’s a very versatile ingredient in layered work. The above scan is of the 100% cotton cheesecloth that we stock.
Detail of Oliver Twists dyed scrim
Above is a detail shot of dyed Oliver Twists scrim. Once washed of its sizing, cheecloth/scrim plumps up a bit and gets slightly fuzzy. It drapes beautifully.
Detail of dyed scrim
This is a detail of the Dyed Scrim Packets scrim. Lovely!
Not to confuse anyone, but there are other types of scrim. In the theater a scrim is a type of screening “curtain”; the covering over a speaker is sometimes called scrim, a face or head covering fabric can be a scrim. I’m sure there are others. The basic idea behind a scrim, is “to screen”, and that is very easy to remember, as the fabric looks similar to a window screen.
As for the term “cheesecloth”? I think this Cheesehead should save that term for another day!
Lutradur book, Oliver Twists Sticks & Stones, Goddess Sheet
Lutradur and the New Fibers by Wendy Cotterill is a guide to using Lutradur (of course!) and other spun bonded materials including Tyvek and nappy liners. She paints, prints, fuses, burns, stencils, stamps, foils and transfers with these durable materials, with fabulous effects and textures.
Oliver Twists Sticks and Stones are a collection of 5 silk carrier rods and 10 silk cocoons dyed in the signature Oliver Twist style: beautiful! Use them for embellishing art quilts, fusing, felting, 3d work…
We now stock the Godess Sheet! In case you don’t know, the Goddess Sheet is simply THE BEST non-stick sheet to use for all your pressing, fusing, sticky-stuff needs. It is transparent, Teflon coated fiberglass with a right and wrong side marked with a curve. Your MistyFuse will fuse to your fabric with a shine, making it so easy to identify later (ok, I have fused the wrong side of my fabric to my iron too many times before finding this gem). Love love love this!
Thermofax Printing, Mixed Media: New Studio Techniques & DVD, more
Call it Lucky Monday, we have two new long-awaited books:
Mixed Media: New Studio Techniques by Isobel Hall & Maggie Grey comes with free online classes and uses many new mediums and techniques. You will see these new mediums here at MeinkeToy very soon, keep your eyes peeled!
Thermofax Printing by Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan is another Committed to Cloth publication. It details using a thermofax for fabulous results and comes with a 70 minute DVD.
A few other catalog additions:
Stef Francis Dyed Gimp with Gold – this is simply beautiful! Sparkly in a very good way, not overdone.
Oliver Twists Dyed Silk Top has been restocked. No color chart yet, working on it!
Dyed Silk Laps have been restocked. Hurry, they are flying out the door…
We are still working hard on the new site design, getting all the photos up and ready. Hopefully it will be ready soon!
New Sari Ribbon Pieces, Restocked Sari Fabric, Scrim Twists
New: Sari Ribbon Pieces Bags
They are very similar to our Cut Sari Strip Bag, but these pieces tend to be narrower, not so “hairy”, with a bit more metallics. Just a bit more refined. Each bag is approx. 3.5 oz, and 8×8″. This is a fair trade product, supporting women and families.
Reclaimed Silk Sari Lengths
These lovely sari fabrics have been restocked with fresh colors for spring. They are light, bright and very silky! These also are fair trade.
Oliver Twists Scrim Twist
These have been restocked but there is no color chart yet (sorry!). If you are familiar with the Oliver Twists colors you won’t have a problem, if you have a question please let us know.
