I too use the glue stick by sewline....I really don't think that starching is going to work for you unless you plan on finishing your project in just a few sessions, but I may be wrong, never having tried it myself. The paper gives that little bit of stability that is needed while you are handling......if you don't want to use paper for foundation, think about looking into inklingo by Linda Franz.....she irons fabric to sheets of freezer paper, runs thru printer to get the shape printed onto fabric from her program,cuts out and hand pieces ....