Originally Posted by
dixie_fried
I agree that starched fabric is easier to handle. If there is a thing as too much starch, I probably use too much. (I love the smell of my starch since I added some lavender essence!!)
I just got in a hurry when I started this and didn't even consider it. The warning came pretty late in the game for me (after half hexes, before rows were made). But, where I starched the rows I have put together...I think it lays much nicer than the parts that are not starched.
I may try starching from the beginning of my next project and see if I notice a difference in cutting.
FYI .... I prewashed, and starched first. All went together slick as can be. And the bonus ... no fraying (along with no stretching happening. It was probably the cleanest back of a quilt I've ever done! .... and smooth!
When stacking the fabric ... I was taught to stab a large pin (those flat flower headed ones) thru a place where the design began and ended eg. where the leaf joined the stem or when the pink flower joins a green leaf etc. Then do that in a few other places. Pins are just stabbed thru at this point. Hold them straight up and down, then take another pin, and pin it in several places ... this two step method , helps keep the fabric from shifting and ensures you get it all lined up nicely when pinning.
The starch ... helps in this step to allow the fabric layers to slide around for you as you do this, rather than how the layers would stick together and not lay smoothly without.