Originally Posted by BrendaK
Originally Posted by Lori S
I really do not like taking the papers out when paper piecing. I love the method for some blocks. But for a log cabin where there are no "points" ... I would starch my fabric prior to cutting ( I use a pretty heavy starch). Then cut my strips. I make log cabins with strips as narrow a 1 1/4 inch . For me it goes much faster than P/P and I can get very accurate using starch( be very generous) and my 1/4 inch foot.
Starch tip- use the Stay - flo concentrate in the blue bottle ( I find it at Walmart in the laundry section) dilute it about 2 parts water to 1 part starch. I dip the fabrics in... let it saturate , use a drying rack for drying. then iron. You will be pleasently surprised at the difference it makes in the final results. This part takes a bit of time ... but soo worth it. Once I have it starched , ironed and cut ... I am off to the races so to speak... It goes so fast then.
I find the accuarcy is so good I have not had to square up till the end and then it was so minimal it was non -existant.
Lori S: Do you not place the fabrics in the dryer because the starch might end up in the dryer? I have a small place and really don't have a place to hang dry (maybe the bathtub, hum). I like the sound of what you do. It seems like I just spray, spray and spray. Which takes a lot of time. I use the June Tailor ruler to cut my strips so they are straight. For me the LC went fairly quick. I like PP but I think if it is going to be a larger size then PP would be a lot of trouble. Good Luck BrendaK
You can put them in the dryer you do loose some of the starch but you can always increase the strenght. I don't use spray as it cheaper to mix my own from the concentrate. But there is no reason why you can't use the spray. If you are concerned about damage to the dryer ..no need to be concerned any strach that comes of is air born and go out through the vent. Fabric starch really is just corn starch and water that has been cooked so it stays in solution better.
I did not starch fabrics for years ( I've been quilting since before the rotary cutter) , once I started many moons ago I loved the results ... I use concentrate as it is cheaper and I can mix strenghts to what my needs are.