Personally I iron, BUT I follow the grain of the fabric, as in up/down, side to side, (width of fabric and length of fabric) I don't just send my iron willy-nilly over the fabric. I figure that way, I diminish the risk of skewing it.

I love, love Mary Ellens best press. It comes in different scents, I prefer unscented. I am not a fan of perfumes, I have allergies. I bought a small spray bottle from the LQS and I bought a gallon jug to refill it on Amazon. None of the LQS have the unscented around here.

Same here but I dilute the percentage for the amount of stiffness I want and only a little at a time and I use a spritzer bottle for control. My store also carries the half gallon bottles. Very inexpensive.

I have never had a problem with the Sta-Flo. I do have a few pieces that were starched then pressed but ended up storing for awhile. No bugs. Possibly if you use corn starch from the box.

Niagara has come out with a spray starch that doesn't flake works quite well. I occasionally use starch for tiny applique pieces, other than that, I don't starch. I have used Best Press for blouses and shirts, but don't think it's worth the money even with a Jo-Ann's coupon.

If your local store doesn't carry starch, Sta-Flo or whatever you prefer, ask them too. Many will go the extra yard to accommodate customers. Many stores, Wal-Mart, have free shipping to their local store so be aware of pricing before you pay for shipping. Liquids are heavy.

Me too, I find it helps stabilize the fabric when cutting and piecing.

That's what I do also! Love my Staflo!!

Our guild has said to use spray sizing instead of starch. It gives some body but the starch, according to the speech about this at guild, will draw some bugs. So, I only use sizing.
Mariah

I always use Sta-Flo for several years. I mix it half and half with water, put it in a spray bottle. For yardage I use a garden sprayer. I dampen the fabric and them stray with starch and allow it to dry completely. Then I iron and I
do use steam. Then I cut my fabric for my blocks. The control you have is amazing your quilt top press and lay flatter then ever. I think you will love it. I should own stock in Sta-Flo. Use it by the gallon.

I used to use starch unto someone told me to use sizing because it doesn't flake and doesn't attract bugs!

I don't starch yardage because I always seem to starch it off grain. When the fabric is starched off grain, you just can't use it.

What a thread! ! Everything from bugs to not using fabric.

I've used Stay Flo for years. Now my grocery store doesn't carry it, but I found it at Walmart 40 miles away. I dilute one Stay Flo to five water. I have used the bottle from the "expensive stuff" for spraying for about 5 years now.
When my blocks are done, I spray and press them. What a transformation in looks. Once I made a Paddle Wheel block, and all the edges are bias. I used a pen and marked my ironing board where the corners were supposed to be, pinned them down and then sprayed and ironed. Turned out perfectly with all the seams in the corner like they belonged.

The flakes don't matter! They disappear and just add to the dust you sweep up later. And if Florida doesn't have bugs, I'm good to go! Never had bugs here either.

I seldom use starch, but when I do I use a brand called "Mary Ellen's Best Press" (scent free). I have allergies and stay away from sprays as much as possible.

Be very careful with that starch - I had set a brand new bottle on a piece of wood furniture (nearly new nightstand in our guest bedroom); apparently the spray nozzle leaked a little and the next morning I found the bottle stuck to the table. It had eaten through the finish and lifted the stain out of the top. Needless to say I was horrified and I won't ever use that product near wood furniture again.

Michelle

Oh yes, by the crate, I found the tip here on this forum a number of years ago and haven't looked back. It makes such a difference when doing scrappy quilts, where fabric has been multi handled and frays, also gives such precise cutting on smaller pieces, helping your piercing. I wouldn't be without it, I use the the Faultless brand.

I use StaFlo too. Many times full strength. Our local grocery store manager was kind enough to order in for me in 1/2 gal. size. I bought two and I think my daughter also bought some. I never have any success using the spray cans - seems they always clog and/or just quit spraying.

I used starch a few years ago. Makes a real mess on the iron.
I never use starch now only water in a spray bottle.

I also don't like the mess of starch on the iron or the ironing board cover, so I stopped using it about a year ago. And I keep a spray bottle of water nearby like JINGLE. But I don't use that much either.

As to the mess on the iron and/or ironing board, I also had that problem when I used the spray stuff but since I dunk mine and hang to dry before I press it I don't have that issue anymore, even when I mist the piece before pressing. No gunk on my iron or ironing board. Think some would start to press right after spraying the starch onto the fabric which I'm guilty of too............not letting the starch soak in. Think that might be the key to it all. Guess we're all in a hurry to get to the project that we don't take enough time getting to that point.

I love using starch.
My favorite is the lavender scent.
I think it's faultless or niagra.
I get it at Walmart for around $1

I make my own spray starch. Have for years....That is all I use...