Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Has anyone ever found insects/bugs in fabric that was starched? >
  • Has anyone ever found insects/bugs in fabric that was starched?

  • Has anyone ever found insects/bugs in fabric that was starched?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 02-06-2012, 02:31 AM
      #11  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: Northern Michigan
    Posts: 12,861
    Default

    i've been sewing and starching for 48 years- i have never had a 'bug problem' but i use, move my fabrics around regularly- i don't know if that has anything to do with it- but it's never been a problem for me- it could be a 'location' issue -- more apt to happen if you live somewhere where bug infestations are a common problem- or if the fabrics are stacked up & left (unchecked) for a long long time-
    i've had boxes of fabrics out in my garage for a year- and still---no bugs.
    ckcowl is offline  
    Old 02-06-2012, 11:11 AM
      #12  
    Senior Member
     
    cmw0829's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Boston, MA area
    Posts: 970
    Default

    Originally Posted by BellaBoo
    I think years ago it wasn't easy to keep bugs out of homes as it is now. I have never seen any bugs in my fabric, not even moths in my closet.
    I don't use starch but want to avoid it for this reason.

    I thought I never had moths in my closet until DH took out his suit to wear to his mother's funeral. During the after-event, I tried picking at what I thought was lint. Turned out he had moth holes on his good suit. We found quite a few after looking carefully.

    cmw0829 is offline  
    Old 02-06-2012, 12:19 PM
      #13  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Oct 2009
    Location: Idaho
    Posts: 11,375
    Default

    We don't have these kinds of bugs with our low humidity levels here.
    Sadiemae is offline  
    Old 02-06-2012, 12:45 PM
      #14  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Delmarva Peninsula
    Posts: 1,151
    Default

    My mil starched all her fabric after washing and then stored it in her damp basement in carboard storage boxes. After she passed, going through her stash we had to dispose of all of it because of the silverfish. I didn't want to bring any of it home. I do not wash and iron and starch my stash, I do that after I have put together a grouping ready for a project.
    nhweaver is offline  
    Old 02-06-2012, 12:52 PM
      #15  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Posts: 15,639
    Default

    I've had silverfish.
    MadQuilter is offline  
    Old 02-06-2012, 01:35 PM
      #16  
    Super Member
     
    ghostrider's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Posts: 4,688
    Default

    I've had to throw out vintage linens and fabrics (along with irreplaceable books and scrapbooks) from two family estates because of silverfish. It's not just an urban legend.
    ghostrider is offline  
    Old 02-06-2012, 08:24 PM
      #17  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 41,535
    Default

    I starch my fabric as I cut and piece my quilt. After the quilt is done it gets washed so no problems for me.
    Tartan is offline  
    Old 02-06-2012, 09:54 PM
      #18  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2011
    Location: SanAntonio,TX
    Posts: 238
    Default

    When i started quilting more than 30 years ago, I used starch on a regular basis, have neve found bugs inmy fabric . About 20 years ago I moved my entire house hold from WI to south texas, no bugs in either place.
    MaggieBB is offline  
    Old 02-06-2012, 11:16 PM
      #19  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2011
    Location: Pacific NW
    Posts: 9,556
    Default

    I'm one that learned the hard way - silverfish and moths.
    Peckish is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Chasing Hawk
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    12
    11-02-2013 05:57 PM
    xxxxxxxxxx
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    10
    06-30-2012 10:25 AM
    Julie in NM
    Pictures
    27
    09-04-2011 02:49 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter