Attaching fabric liner to antique steamer trunk

I was replacing the handles on my steamer trunk and ended up having to remove the fabric to get to the nails.

It was already partially ripped and it does have a ...smell.


I guess Im about to head to joanns or hobby lobby to pick up some fabric.
This fabric was attached by a glue, from what I read back then they used wheat glue?

What is comparable and easily to get in todays world?

 

You could try wallpaper glue. I think in the old days, a common (and cheap) glue was just a simple flour-water paste, but I'm not sure how effective that is.

 

Ew. You'd think wheat glue would attract bugs. What about mucilage glue? It seems I've read somewhere, long ago, that's supposed to be an accepted archival method. It might have had to do with pottery repair, though. Might not be so good for wood and cloth.

 

Hi,
I use watered down Elmer's glue. It works fine. I used it in antique desk pieces also. It will wash off and not cause harm. You have to water it down so it does not leave lumpy areas.
greg

 

Not sure that it is worth trying to replicate what was original. The Elmer's seems find to me. Another option that should work well is Sobo craft and fabric glue or similar products. There are spray adhesives that work well over large areas. They may not be quite strong enough along the edges if the trunk is going to get a lot of wear and tear. If the fabric starts to lift at the edges, you could always go back with some Sobo to tack it back down and make it more permanent.

 

Well, I dont mean actual replication, just something in todays market that will hold fabric to the wood without doing damage

There is something called modge podge, which is basically watered down elmers glue. I thought about using that, but wasnt sure it would hold up in the humid conditions of Georgia, wear and tear, and time.
I didnt know if fabric glue would adhere to wood

 

You could glue it down, and then rivet it in with thumb-tacks...

 

There is something called modge podge, which is basically watered down elmers glue.

Hi, SeaGoat -

Mod Podge itself is a combination glue/sealer/top coat finish, which isn't what I think you need here. People use it mostly for decoupage & things like that.

The Mod Podge brand does make a craft glue, but I don't see why it would be worth the extra cost to buy their brand, when good old (diluted) Elmer's would do the trick.

Actually, I think any type of water-based glue that says it's for porous surfaces (paper, wood, fabric) would do the trick.

-C-

 

Pecking around the computer this morning I see people gluing the fabric to cardboard and inserting that way.

Im almost offended by it.

Why?
I dont understand...

 

SeaGoat, is the "Why?" because you know about the chemicals inherent in producing cardboard and because those chemicals could/may/will leach onto/into the fabric and discolor (or disintegrate -- strong word I know) the fabric over time (and perhaps over a relatively "short" time" in the greater scheme of things)?

Unless, of course, you could find "acid free" cardboard and would be willing to pay a possibly high price for it.

 

That and more pf wondering why people are spending so much extra time doing it

It seems to just cheapen the trunk