I do not always starch, but when I do, I prefer to starch smaller pieces, not yardage. I will usually fold and do the "wiggle" thing first, trim off an edge to be straight, cut strips, do the starching, then do the sub cutting. Some may say that this method will change the initial cut measurement... But i do not soak my fabric in starch, I just use a light spray, and I haven't noticed any problems in the end. That is when I have yardage. If I am using fat quarters or similar, then I may more heavily starch the whole piece, then proceed with sub cutting. I also will sometimes starch after the block is constructed, before squaring it up.