Thread: Can we make sizing?

My Gran used to make a sugar/ water starch, I believe..perhaps she used corn starch too? I still have the old RC bottle with the sprinkler cork they used to have back in the day. Brings back so many memories and I will never let it go :)

Originally Posted by DebbieJJ

Are starch and sizing the same thing? I
Hope this helps.

I found this on http://www.americandrycleaner.com
Q: What’s the difference between starch and sizing? Can spray starch be used in place of sizing?

A: Starch is used to stiffen fabrics such as shirt collars and cuffs, while sizing is used to add body, “crispness” and “hand” to garments. Starch is vegetable-based (it’s formulated from wheat, corn or rice), while sizing is a resinous solution that can be either vegetable- or plastic-based.

Because starch doesn’t satisfactorily adhere to thermoplastic fibers such as polyester, manufacturers often blend a plastic-based sizing agent and vegetable-based starch to impart stiffness to the synthetic fibers.

Starch and sizing alike can be added during the wetcleaning or drycleaning process, or they can be sprayed onto garments during the finishing process.

When starch is applied in place of sizing, the garment can become overly stiff, crease easily and wrinkle before and during wear. Because sizing adds body to fabric, it makes garments easier to finish, reduces wrinkling during wear, and keeps pleats and creases sharp.

Originally Posted by ibeesewin

Originally Posted by ibeesewin

I have been wondering ....and plan on trying but just haven't gotten around to it.
But...if the elmer's school glue can be used for attaching quilt binding...applique...etc and washes out, why couldn't water be added to it in a squirt bottle? The only problem would be figuring out the proper measurements.
Maybe will give it a try today.

Okay....just gave it a try. :thumbup:
It worked great no scorching or flaking with the iron. The fabric is flexible...yet crisp.

I just did a bing search for clear elmer's school glue and there is one available. The recipe that I made has a white cast to it. I suppose if you wanted it to be clear....use the clear glue.

My recipe:
1Tbs. Elmer's School Glue
3 C. Warm Water

I suppose if you wanted a heavier recipe just add a little more glue. You can also add the essential oils that others have suggested. Also...don't know if you would have to store in the fridge. Will keep it out for a few days and see what happens.

Thank you for this idea. I tried the Elmer's Glue recipe and the fabric was just right. The portion unused was put into the refrigerator and I washed the sprayer well.

Niagra starch does a nice job but in a sprayer it makes my eyes itch a lot. Doubt that would be a problem if I made it from scratch.

Thank you all for the ideas.

Originally Posted by jljack

Thanks for the recipe. There is a Niagra spray starch that does not flake, and in a non-aerosol trigger sprayer. It's all I use now, and it's really inexpensive. Even on black fabrics it does not show a single flake.

oh yes it will...just spray a little too heavy and watch the flakes..BUT they all brush off really easily!

Originally Posted by Quilt Fan

Niagra starch does a nice job but in a sprayer it makes my eyes itch a lot. Doubt that would be a problem if I made it from scratch.

Thank you all for the ideas.

I hate the Niagra sprayer..goes out all over..I poured into a mist sprayer bought at the beauty supply house! I also diluted it a bit so the smell was not so strong..has not hurt its ability to work at all...

Originally Posted by AlwaysQuilting

Originally Posted by DebbieJJ

Are starch and sizing the same thing? I
Hope this helps.

I found this on http://www.americandrycleaner.com
Q: What’s the difference between starch and sizing? Can spray starch be used in place of sizing?

A: Starch is used to stiffen fabrics such as shirt collars and cuffs, while sizing is used to add body, “crispness” and “hand” to garments. Starch is vegetable-based (it’s formulated from wheat, corn or rice), while sizing is a resinous solution that can be either vegetable- or plastic-based.

Because starch doesn’t satisfactorily adhere to thermoplastic fibers such as polyester, manufacturers often blend a plastic-based sizing agent and vegetable-based starch to impart stiffness to the synthetic fibers.

Starch and sizing alike can be added during the wetcleaning or drycleaning process, or they can be sprayed onto garments during the finishing process.

When starch is applied in place of sizing, the garment can become overly stiff, crease easily and wrinkle before and during wear. Because sizing adds body to fabric, it makes garments easier to finish, reduces wrinkling during wear, and keeps pleats and creases sharp.

Thanks Nadine, for this info......I've always wondered about the difference, or whether there was any, between the 2 products! I just never thought to look it up.........and I'm ALWAYS looking things up -- ---

I see a recipe for sizing has been posted already, so I'll just add trivia:

Here's another "remember when" for using starch...

Remember when nurses wore white caps, each different to identify their school of nursing?
The best way I knew to press my cap flat to dry after washing & starching was to smooth it over a clean refrigerator door. Then when it was dry, I'd peel it off the fridge & fold it into the cap shape.

Use heavy, old - fashioned starch - not the spray on variety.

In May there was a discussion on Mary Ellen's Best. Do a search and you will find the thread which contains several options for making it.

Originally Posted by Honeynga

Just had a flashback to childhood....remember my grandmother making Niagara starch on the stove....guess she dissolved powdered/cake starch in water ? Think she would actually dip the clothes in the starch water and hang them out to dry. When she got them in they were stiff as boards and she would then sprinkle them down, and put them in the refrigerator, although she called it an "ice box" ! My MIL used to starch and iron bed clothes and pillow cases; just what I want to do is to go to sleep on a starched pillow case ! Too, my MIL's family used to go to church camp every summer in Perry, MS and she told stories about having to wear the starched ironed clothes to two services each day and sleep in unairconditioned "tents"......which were really shack like homes on the camp grounds....glad I'm a softie!

It was so nice taking a trip down "Memory Lane" with you! I love to hear stories like that.
My grandmother also did a lot of starching. I can still hear the squeeky ironing board as she or my mother ironed the heck out of the clothers. Those times! I love to think how we used to live day to day, the routine of it all makes me feel like such a softie, too.