Welcome the starch converts club! Starch is my favorite sewing notion.

I soak fabric using full strength starch when doing blocks such as Birds In The Air. People say that my fabric feels like index cards - VBG. I hang it in the shower to drip and dry and only press it once the starch is totally dry. How much moisture do you leave in the fabric prior to pressing it? And there is no scorching? I've always had scorching so that's why I now wait for it to dry.

Judy, I like my fabric like index cards, too! I could shuffle my squares at times, but it makes them sew better for me.

CookyIN, I can't imagine not washing a finished quilt. How on earth do you keep them clean through the whole process? Mine fall on the floor, get stepped on, etc.

I starch and I wash the finished project. It gives it back that feel of a soft quilt. Also, you want to remove the starch so that bugs are not attracted to it and want to munch away on your quilt.

I do not starch fabric before using it, actually don't wash it either! Exception to that rule is if it's red,black or dark blue..then I cut a chunk, soak in hot, hot water in a cup, if it bleeds, I do not use it....... And I also do not wash quilts after completed....I really don't drag them on the floor nor walk on them as they are being done....keep my room's floors clean and no one else allowed in---human or beast....I have never has a problem working on fabric that has not been "washed/starched" ......but then no one here has any allergies - that might be a consideration......I guess.
But then we each find what works for us.....

Good idea..

Just never found a need for the starch and I've been quilting for over 60 years. Don't prewash and don't wash when done.

I love starch and always starch my fabric and blocks but find it impossible to buy in my part of Canada. I have my daughter and friend buy me starch every time they head to the States (I've had a couple of funny questions from border crossing security when they saw my boxes of starch!) and now I have a little Starch hoard that I share with my quilting buddies (I gave all my Stitch and Share friends starch for Valentine's Day). I love the non aerosol Niagara Spray starch and was recently sent ironing starch by Oxford and Wells from Texas which is also a marvelous product. I just wish that I could buy starch in Canada!

do you wash the left over fabrics, scraps, or do you leave the starch for the next project?

Big fan of the starch here... I like my fabric stiff as a board when I cut it and sew it. I normally piece small pieces...a 6" block is my big block and it seems to help keep everything just so. Also, I prefer Faultless Heavy Starch in the can. I don't wash it out of any leftovers. I've never had any trouble with bugs.