Ethan Clarke
Plastic lacing is a versatile craft material that can be used to create a variety of items, such as zipper pulls, keychains, and jewellery. When working with plastic lacing, it is important to keep the strands straight and untwisted to achieve a smooth and neat finish. While plastic lacing is relatively easy to work with, it can sometimes curl or become tangled, requiring straightening before use. There are several methods to straighten plastic lacing, including wetting the lacing, applying heat, and carefully pulling the strands to remove any kinks or curls.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | For longer crafts, start with lengthy strands, but manageability may be an issue |
| Accessories | Clasps or keyrings can be attached by weaving the laces around them |
| Centering | Find the center of each lace and thread the accessory onto both laces until it is in the middle |
| Positioning | Cross the laces in an X at their center point, under the accessory, keeping them flat and parallel to each other |
| Weaving | Fold and weave straight across to maintain a square shape; avoid twisting the laces |
| Tension | Gently tug on each end until snug, but not too tight; pull ends firmly and thread through each other to hold down securely |
| Shape | Keep 'spinning' the laces in the same direction to create a spiral shape |
| Knots | Tie each strand in a knot as close to the base as possible |
| Fusing | Use a flame to carefully melt the bottom of the craft to fuse the plastic laces together (only for adults due to burn hazard) |
| Straightening | Dampen the lacing and hang or secure it to dry straight; use an iron on suede lace to straighten curls |
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What You'll Learn
Wet the lacing and hang it to dry
Wetting plastic lacing and hanging it to dry is an effective way to straighten it out. This method is also used to straighten leather lacing cord. First, wet the cord lightly. Avoid putting on any clasps or accessories before the cord dries, as the lacing may shrink a little as it dries. Then, hang the cord to dry. You can also secure it in place while it dries to ensure it sets straight. You can add some weight at the end of the cord to help it dry straight. This process may take a while, so it is a good method to try overnight.
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Use an iron
Plastic lacing can be straightened out using an iron. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, ensure that your iron is set to the correct temperature. As plastic lacing is made of synthetic fibres, it is heat-sensitive and can easily melt or become damaged if the iron is too hot. Check the care label or instructions provided by the manufacturer, as these usually include specific guidelines for ironing. If you're unsure, test the iron on a small, inconspicuous area of the lacing first.
Next, lay the plastic lacing on an ironing board or a flat, padded surface. Make sure the lacing lies flat and smooth, with no twists or tangles. Place a pressing cloth or a piece of lightweight, clean cotton fabric over the lacing. This will act as a barrier and protect the plastic from direct heat.
Now, gently and slowly move the iron over the fabric with light pressure. Avoid dragging the iron, as this can stretch or damage the plastic lacing. Use gentle, sweeping motions, ensuring even heat distribution. If your iron has a steam setting, you can use this to help relax the fibres before gently smoothing out the lacing with your hands.
It is important to note that you should never iron plastic lacing directly without a pressing cloth, as it can cause damage. Additionally, always allow the lacing to cool completely before handling or storing it.
By following these steps, you can effectively straighten out plastic lacing using an iron, ensuring it is wrinkle-free and smooth.
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Pull on the ends of the lacing
When working with plastic lacing, it's important to keep the ends straight and taut. This can be done by pulling on the ends of the lacing. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:
First, ensure that your plastic lacing is cut to the appropriate length. For longer crafts, start with lengthy strands, but be cautious as longer lengths can be challenging to manage initially. Aim for a length of around 48 inches, and try to get your strands as close in length as possible.
Next, find the centre of each lace and cross them in an "X" shape at their midpoint, keeping them flat and parallel to each other. Avoid twisting the laces; instead, gently fold them to maintain straightness. You can then gently tug on each end until it feels snug but not overly tight.
As you continue folding and weaving, keep pulling on the ends to maintain tension and create a neat appearance. Each time you fold the laces, thread them through each other to hold their ends securely. By doing this, you will gradually form square "knots" and see the square shape of your lacing emerge.
If you want to ensure that your lacing remains securely in place, you can apply a small amount of hot glue to the base of each end. This step is optional but can provide extra security. Remember that hot glue can be a serious burn hazard, so it should be handled with caution and kept away from children.
By following these steps and pulling on the ends of the lacing, you can create a tight and neat plastic lacing craft with a professional finish.
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Use weights
When using weights to straighten plastic lacing, you'll need to set up a simple system that applies a constant and even force to the lacing, pulling it taut and straight. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Start by finding a smooth, flat surface where you can work, such as a table or countertop. Gather your materials, which will include the plastic lacing, some string or thread, a few small weights (such as fishing weights or small bags of coins), and a bowl or container of warm water. Cut a length of the plastic lacing that you need for your project, ensuring it is longer than you require, as you can trim it later. Take the string or thread and tie one end securely to one end of the plastic lacing. You can use a simple knot, or, for extra security, a double knot or a fisherman's knot.
Take one of the small weights and tie it securely to the free end of the string or thread. You can use a single knot here, as the weight will help to keep the knot in place. Now, dip the plastic lacing into the warm water. You don't need to soak it—just ensure it is thoroughly wet. The warmth of the water will help to relax the plastic, making it easier to straighten. Place the bowl of water to one side, and lay the damp plastic lacing flat on the table. Gently begin to pull the string or thread, drawing the weight along the length of the lacing. The weight should be heavy enough to create a gentle tautness in the lacing but not so heavy that it stretches or distorts the material.
Finally, leave the weighted lacing to dry. As it dries, the plastic will retain its straightened form. Depending on the thickness of your lacing and the temperature and humidity of your environment, this could take a few hours to a full day. Check it regularly, and once it is completely dry, you can carefully cut the string and remove the weight. Your plastic lacing should now be straight and ready for use! This method is particularly useful for longer lengths of lacing, ensuring they hang straight and neat in your crafting projects.
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Tie knots in the lacing
Tying knots in plastic lacing can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to straighten out the lace, to consume excess lace, or for decorative purposes. Here are some methods for tying knots in plastic lacing:
The Standard Shoelace Knot
This is the most common method for tying shoes, also known as the "Bunny Rabbit" or "Loop, Swoop and Pull" knot. To do this, make a loop with one end of the lace, wrap the other end around, and pull a loop through the "hole" in the middle.
The Bunny Ears or Bowknot
This method involves making a loop with both ends of the lace and then simply tying a knot with them.
The Ian Knot
This technique is great for speed and simplicity. Cross two loops in the middle, then secure them with a simple half knot. To make it more secure, you can create a double loop with both ends and simultaneously pull them through each other.
The Heaving Line Knot
This knot is decorative and is often used on boat shoes or moccasins with leather laces. Simply coil each end of the lace around itself until all the remaining lace is consumed.
Square Knot
Also known as the Reef Knot, this knot is useful when the ends of the lace are not long enough to tie a regular bow. It is essentially a Standard Shoelace Knot without the loops.
Using Accessories
When creating plastic lacing crafts, you can use accessories such as clasps or keyrings to anchor the lacing. Cross the laces in an "X" at their centre point under the accessory, keeping them flat and parallel to each other. Gently tug on each end until it is snug, then pull the ends firmly. Each time you fold the laces over, thread the other ends through them to hold them down securely.
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Frequently asked questions
Try using water. Dampen the lacing and either hang it or secure it so it dries straight.
You can use a flat iron on a low heat setting to straighten out plastic lacing.
Try using suede lace as it is less likely to curl.
Apply a small bead of hot glue to the base of each end of the lacing.
