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    How-To Guides

    A Tiny Edwardian Transformation

    Miniaturist Jenny Furlong tests the new Deluxe Fray Stay.

    Creating miniature clothing at 1/12 scale demands absolute precision. When working with delicate fabrics like silk and lace, even the slightest fray can spoil the final result. That’s where the newly formulated Fray Stay from Deluxe Materials comes in.

    Designed especially for fine fabrics, this updated formula prevents fraying on raw edges while allowing clean, accurate cutting — making it ideal for detailed doll dressmaking.

    To see how it performs in practice, miniaturist Jenny Furlong used the new Fray Stay to transform a standard doll into an elegant Edwardian lady.

    Step-by-Step: Jenny’s Process

    Undressed 1/12-scale doll with Fray Stay, silk, cotton, lace and scissors laid out
    1

    Starting with a Blank Canvas

    Jenny began by carefully undressing a pre-dressed 1/12-scale doll. She then selected a suitable Edwardian-style pattern for the new outfit.

    Fabrics for the outfit labelled cotton, lace and silk beside the Fray Stay bottle
    2

    Selecting Fine Fabrics

    Silk and cotton were chosen for the main garments, complemented by delicate lace for added authenticity — beautiful materials, but typically difficult to handle without fraying.

    Applying a thin line of Fray Stay around the edge of a silk pattern piece with the fine-tip applicator
    3

    Controlled Application

    After preparing the pattern pieces, Jenny fitted the fine-tip applicator to the Fray Stay bottle. Holding the pattern firmly in place, she applied a thin, controlled line of Fray Stay around each edge. The precision tip made it easy to apply just the right amount.

    Treated silk held between fingers showing a soft, flexible, mark-free finish
    4

    Invisible, Flexible Finish

    Once dry, the solution became invisible, leaving the fabric soft and easy to work with — no stiffness, no unsightly marks.

    Neatly cut Edwardian outfit pattern pieces with clean, fray-free edges
    5

    Clean Cutting & Easy Sewing

    Jenny cut out each piece along the sealed edges, ensuring perfect accuracy. The strengthened fabric edges made sewing straightforward, with no risk of fraying — essential when working at such a small scale.

    The finished 1/12-scale Edwardian lady doll in a gold silk gown, hat and parasol, beside the Fray Stay bottle
    6

    A Beautiful Result

    The finished piece is a beautifully dressed Edwardian doll, with crisp lines and refined detail. A small project with a big impact — and a clear demonstration of what the new Fray Stay can achieve.

    Shop Fray Stay Now

    Get the new anti-fray formula for your own miniature dressmaking projects.

    Shop Fray Stay

    The Deluxe Materials Adhesives Guide

    Deluxe Materials have a whole host of specialist hobby adhesives. Their handy guide below shows exactly which product to reach for on your next miniature project:

    Deluxe Materials adhesives guide showing which glue to use where on a dolls house
    Which glue for which job — Deluxe’s handy dolls-house guide.

    Explore the Deluxe Materials Range

    Discover the full collection of specialist adhesives, paints and modelling materials.

    Explore the Collection

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