Converted to Liquid Starch
 

Prewashed a pile of batiks and soaked in 2 cups Linit liquid starch ($3.79) in a plastic bag. Something like the way Anita Grossman Soloman does it. Let the fabric dry a bit ( on a plastic tablecloth) and then ironed dry. Skirt hangers were a great help. My blocks are more precise & if you have to rip a seam, the fabric does not get distorted. Try it!

I like your technique! Seems like it would be especially helpful for applique or bias seams. Thanks!
(BTW, have not heard of that brand of starch.... hmmmm)

I always use Linit. I put some in a spray bottle and dilute it with water.

never heard of that brand, out here on the island, we only have Niagara spray starch. at least only at walmart. love your batik colors. and love starch

In case you would like to try Linit, I bought it at Stop and Shop(Bay Shore).

I use Sta Flo and dip the fabric. I like the plastic bag idea, I'm going to try that!

Plastic bag! What a great idea!! I have a billion pieces to starch right now. Thanks!!

I think that is a great way of getting your batiks ready for quilting. I use to buy Magic Sizing at a super Walmart but since moving, the Walmart near me doesn't carry it. I am trying this Niagara non-aerosol spray starch. Hopefully my aim will improve and will get more starch on the fabric verse the ironing board. Sure can smell it when I press. Very pleasant floral scent !!

Okay dumb question here -- I haven't starched because I feel like I'll have to launder the finished quilt to remove the starch. I guess I think the starch will alter the look of the fabric over time by "aging" or breaking down itself (the starch) in some way. Are my worries valid or should I just merrily starch away? Thanks in advance for your guidance.

I always wash finished quilts, so there is no starch residue. Love this method. Will try it next time that I have a pile of fat quarters or small pieces to starch. I have 2 and 2 1/2 gal zip locks that I use for blocks and scrap sorting that will work great for this! Thanks for the idea!

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.

I ordered my first batch of liquid starch from Amazon, then found it at Walmart. But if you can't find it locally, try online.
Kathie

I will have to try using the liquid starch. The only time I used it was when I was making overall planters. Take a small kids overall, starch the heck out of it and then position it (using plastic bags) to sit on an coffee container. When it dries you can sit a small plant in it. I make a lollypop out of a button, small piece of a skewer and piece of fabric. They turn out cute. I think I still have a bottle of the liquid....lets see if I can find it.

My favorite thing to use is Mary Ellen's Best Press, but I am unable to get it where I now live. I have been using Niagara non aerosol starch but don't know exactly how that is going to act in the future. I usually wash the quilt after it is done so I guess it will be okay.

My grandmother always starched her fabric with liquid starch. She had a cloth bag that she would put the wet, starched fabric in and then placed it in her icebox. She would leave it there for several hours and then iron. She said the cold made the starch stick to the fabric and not flake when she ironed. I have never tried that, but this thread reminded me and I just might.

I use the mixture of vodka and liquid starch as I like a stiffer outcome. I also use hangers with clips to hang the fabric up to dry over my extra sink down in the basement. Let it dry and then iron before cutting. Seems to help with the stretching of the fabric for me.

Geri, I wish I could be that neat! I don't plan on dragging the quilts to the floor. It just happens. I don't prewash the fabrics either. I know many people do, but that's just an extra step I don't take. I may live to regret that one.

You are so right about everyone finding a way that works for them. It amazes me how many ways the folks on this board have of accomplishing the same thing. I learn something every day.

Ladies just be careful when mixing. My first batch was tooooo thick the fabric came out stffer than paper.

I like the liquid Niagara too. Dilute with a little water & put in spray bottle. Recently found some Niagara in a non-aerosol spray bottle. Has a faint pleasant smell, cost something around $2 but doesn't make fabric real stiff. Bought it at WalMart. Sprays a very fine mist. I always wash my quilts after I bind. Makes them so soft and I like the wrinkled look.

Dotty, I like your idea of skirt hangers for hanging yardage. I use liquid starch too - less gets in the air like it does with spray cans. I soak the fabric in a dishpan of 1/2 starch and 1/2 water. Then I gently squeegee the fabric out and hang it up. I put cafe curtain rods across the whole shower/tub and drape the fabric over them to let it drip dry into the tub.

I am going to give it a try. i use spray starch then let it dry prior to ironing

i wash all of mine so that I can make sure nothing 'let's go' during washing. It is my double check for boo boos. I can fix any problems before it is given. I also like to see my quilts 'bloomed' after all the starch is gone and the fabric is softer.

This made me smile, it was the way I was taught to treat real linen when preparing to iron. Back when men wore true linen suits, the icebox was often filled with clothes at my grandmother's house. I love the smell of Niagara non aerosol starch but it doe not stiffen just irons out hard seams. I will definitely try the liquid starch approach next time I get a limp fat quarter set.

I have never used starch much, but am very interested. I saw where you said you washed "a pile" of batiks and soaked in 2 cups liquid starch. I feel my questions will sound terribly stupid . . . but I'd like more details. What size bag? Did you close it and lay it somewhere for a while? Or . . . did you squish the fabric around to get it t evenly absorb. ????????????? Guess I am dense, but I simply don't know what to do. I am fearful that if I try it without more confidence in what I'm doing that I will abandon what might be a wonderful help to me. Thanks in advance or offered suggestions/comments.

Wondering why Canada is so far behind the rest of the Quilting world re " starch "

Dont feel dumb cause Ii was wondering some of the same, never used liq starch only spray starch

I should have mentiond that I also use liquid starch in a small dish, (doll china, or ceramic tea bag holder) and a small square soft paint brush to paint the edges of appliqué to iron the edges smooth and sharp for sewing down, since I can't seem to make nice rounded edges using needle turn. I learned to do it from a McCalls video on Youtube. I am a klutz with some things, like needle turn appliqué. :-D

I like the idea of starching in a plastics bag..........will have to try the Linit Liquid Starch.

i use liquid starch also. i just use 1 cup starch in 5 cups of water and use in a spray bottle when i iron fabrics before i start to cut. saves alot of money!