Originally Posted by minstrel
How does it affect flannel? I make a lot of flannel quilts and I've not used starch on them before. Does it gunk up the fabric because of the fuzz/nap?
I use a heavy (1:1) solution on flannel before piecing a top out of it. Works great. See my post above on how I apply the starch. I do wash and dry flannel twice before applying the starch, to make sure it has shrunk. The starch does not gunk up the fabric at all, but does make it unnaturally stiff (like thin cardboard). Makes accurate piecing of flannel very easy, although I still recommend 1/2" seams in case of fraying.
I have not made a rag flannel quilt, but I probably would not prewash the flannel or starch it for that kind of quilt.