Super Simple Minis: How to Drape Fabric in Miniature

[@remlya]

Brilliant. The unnatural behavior of fabric is one of the first things to take me out of a miniature scene and pay attention to the process. I’ve often wondered how to fix that and this is so easy yet effective.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I am so glad this was helpful for you! Its my go to for fabric because I feel the same way as you when it comes to the realism in a scene ;)

[@amyslingsby6947]

Agreed.

[@karlannespinks6475]

Loved this. Glad you are feeling better

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you!😊

[@MaidMirawyn]

If the fabric looks too new and crisp, you can sand it very lightly to fade and soften it a bit. It’s also helpful to wash it first, though I would recommend handwashing in a bowl with dish liquid do you don’t create lots of tangled threads on the edges. You can also remove several threads along the edge to simulate fringe. Try ruffling it up with your fingers to create more texture.

[@elizabeths4371]

This was a Really Good tutorial! I've glued tinfoil directly to the back of fabrics and then shaped folds into them but I like this idea too! And I also liked your tip of using the masking tape in reverse to help secure the shapes to the form which was Great- its so simple yet very effective!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I am so glad you like it! If I can make something simple, I do!!! I love simple (as long as it looks good too)!

[@mandiharding2733]

This is great! I'm definitely going to try this and I loved the little rag.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you Mandi! So glad you found it helpful!

[@debbiejohnston8492]

Great tutorial especially tip for the small rag. Thank you!

[@TarnishedRoseMinis]

I dress 1:12th scale dolls and to drape fabric, I use Stiffen, Stiffie, or one of the other fabric stiffeners on the market. It dries faster than mixing water and glue and holds it shape. This is a good tip though for those that don't want to by a special product.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you for sharing that product with us! There may be some who work with fabric a lot who want to try it out :) I don't work with it much so tacky glue works for me for now.

[@joannecarroll5504]

Glad to hear that you feel better :)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you Joanne!

[@MrLionelrichtea]

Do you think this would work on a life size sleeping bag to lock in some of those waves and ridges? So it stays how you want it/leave it. I’m making a prop that I don’t want the final look to change.

[@firetruck1955]

I am excited about this technique. Sorry you were sick on my birthday.

[@brendavansetten6039]

Another nice tutorial,thanks Ara. Tacky glue is something i have...and it’s nice to make different blankets so you can change colors. Here in Holland we also have an epidemic flue wave...hope you feel better soon.;)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you for the kind words!! We are having the same flu issues here in Texas. Its crazy! My daughter already had it before the end of the year and thankfully no one else caught it. Stay healthy ;) -Ara

[@patrickrose1764]

Hello Ara. I truly appreciate that you replied to my question about your mini hand painted portrait paintings 🖼 relating to your Adam's family project . You are the first person ever to send back a reply..again Thank you

[@strato991]

gonna attempt to use this to make some sculpted cloth capes for wargaming miniatures

[@apeitsch]

I was wondering if there are certain fabrics made specifically for draping in miniature, without glue. Is that a thing?

[@candyapple4609]

I would love for you to do tutorials for the little arm chairs used in this video? A sofa would be nice as well. Lol. Love your videos!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you so much! I def have "sofa" on my to do list but I will add the arm chairs as well. They make great items to fill a blank corner ;)

[@candyapple4609]

Bentley House Minis I can’t wait! 😍

[@prussell243]

Thank you! Can't wait to try this!

[@jerrilynnroth2117]

I'm curious..... since the fabric has starch in it from the factory would it be easier and limper to use if it's washed first? And could a starch solution be used (ie gauze ghosts for Halloween) instead of tacky glue? I think this is a great tutorial but I question starch solution usage because I have a ton of starch left from Halloween with nothing to use it for but more ghosts. Feel better soon 🐦. By the way.... I love the blankets but I assure the rag.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Yes I believe there are a lot of miniaturists who do this same process but with starch. However I am a big believer in making this work with what I already have and when I started experimenting with fabric I didn't have any starch and the tacky glue worked perfectly for me every time. If you do try it with the starch please share your results with us here as there may be many interested in using that route instead of tacky glue :) Thanks! -Ara

[@lucilleschmidek38]

I’m new to your channel. I love it, and really love this technique! Thank you

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Lucille Schmidek welcome to the channel! I am so glad you enjoyed the video. If you ever have any suggestions or techniques you want to see I love to hear from my subscribers ;)

[@valeriemegraw2875]

Great instructions

[@joycefuller9177]

Great video. Get well soon.

[@nomoreillusions]

You got out the foil and my very first thought was - oh that's genius! Apply fabric to the foil, then you can mold and shape it all sorts of ways! ... which... isn't what you did at all LOL but now I really want to see if that would work, it might make for a piece that can be moved and changed up?? Have you ever tried that? I think I'm going to give it a try!

[@kdc-nb5fw]

Thank you for this idea!

[@Annejuli]

Another great tutorial Ara, thank you. Can;t wait to give this a try :)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Annejuli Valentine thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@MariaM-yn9tl]

Great video! Looks great! 🥰💕🧶🧵👍👍

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you Maria!

[@sandraorganizationseeking1685]

Just discovered your channel and have Tacky Glue so I will be trying your technique! Do ever sell your creations. If so-please let us know where to find them. I didn't see your stuff on Etsy but maybe I missed you. I don't have a Cricket and loved your mini handles. Thank you for your videos!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you Sandra and welcome to the channel! I do have an Etsy shop and you can find the link in the description of this video. I want to get better at posting items I make in my videos in the shop but I often forget :/ If you ever post items you make on instagram with this tutorial I would love for you to tag me on instagram @bentleyhouseminis. I love to see what other miniaturists create!! -Ara

[@gabrielleschmidt1435]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@kmruckus]

Ooohh, I want to do this so badly now! I always have a hard time folding fabric in my scale! Even with your poor voice, it’s a great tutorial!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thanks Karen!! Can't wait to see what you create with it ;)

[@lucilleschmidek38]

Poor voice???? That’s not very nice. Beautiful job!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

No worries... she wasn't insulting me, she knew that I had been feeling ill while videoing this and it effected my voice. I am glad you like the video! thank you :)

[@kmruckus]

Hahaha, oops. Wrong verbiage, I suppose. You’ve got good fans that want to protect you, at least. ;3

[@scrapfancy]

Nice tutorial. Will use it. 💜💚

[@RocioNicte]

wow, love it.

[@TheInvisibleCactusYT]

This is super helpful, Thank You!

[@gingersdollworld]

very cool!!! i'm always looking for material thin enough to drape but not easy :)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@debleighton-bowlby3412]

You have just fantastic ideas

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed!

[@AbiNomac]

Great video. Thank you

[@francisortiz6762]

I like that never watched it before. Yes I was just going to say you sound congested

[@tibbs4000]

how cute are those chairs?

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you!

[@theladybaltimore]

Does this work with Elmers glue? That is already more watery and I have lots.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Yes it should still work 👍

[@Lawrenceinc]

Genius!!

[@dianabizet4264]

Great idea❤️

[@dilhermandoalves5549]

Very helpful!! Thanks! 👏👏👏👏

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I am glad it helped!

[@carolsferra3582]

that is so cool!!!!!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you!

[@BSAltd]

Oo, you glued fabric to the chair, did you? Oh, and how i can make this armchair?

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I didn't glue the fabric down because I wanted the option of removing it and putting a different throw on it later. But it can be glue down if you want it to be permanent :) I need to do another chair tutorial soon... I will keep this one in mind. Thanks!

[@cheriwhitley8385]

LOOVE LOOVE LOOVE THE TATTERED DRAPE FABRIC..GOTTA ADD THIS FOr sure..thx

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you

[@cmariadaviscydsheritagedol285]

Great awesome

[@lisebouchard1233]

Merci pour ce truc astucieu !

[@okyanus9173]

bayıldım teşekkürler

[@GUMPritchard]

Patty mayonnaise.. ps thanks for this.

[@midwestboy9584]

does the fabric itself matter ??? I mean, do you prefer cotton to silk or rayon to polyester, or does the fabric itself not matter ??? ... I've never had any luck draping fabric, it just bounces back into an unnatural fake look

[@peterbowden7506]

You sound like have a flu if so hope you recovered fairly quickly

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I did thank you!

[@Jeff_Maze]

Why do you sound like you're sick???