I starched and pressed a crib size quilt top and backing so stiff it was like cardboard. I had no problems basting it and machine quilting it. Of course the starch washed right out. It would be hard to starch a large size quilt that much though. I have a no baste hand quilting frame and it is the easiest way for me to get the back stretched tight enough to baste the layers together for a large quilt.