Sugar Hardener

• 1). Measure an amount of water that reflects that amount of fabric stiffener you'd like to make. For a small project, a cup of water is plenty; for a larger project a liter of water will usually suffice. Pour the water into a pot.
  
  
• 2). Place the pot on the stove over low heat. Add to the pot an amount of sugar equal to the amount of water.
  
  
• 3). Raise the heat on the stove to high and place the lid on the pot. Allow the two ingredients to reach a boil and then cool. Submerge the fabric you wish to harden in the liquid and then arrange in the desired shape. You may also first arrange the fabric in its desired shape, dip a paint brush in the liquid, and paint on the hardener.
  
  

Glue-Based Stiffener

• 1). Pour basic white craft glue into a large container. Determine how much fabric stiffener you need to make, and measure out half that amount of glue. Small projects need anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of glue; larger projects need around 1 cup of glue.
  
  
• 2). Add an equal amount of cold water to the container.
  
  
• 3). Mix the two ingredients vigorously until you have a diluted white paste. Dip a paint brush into the substance to apply this homemade hardener to fabric.