I use Downy wrinkle releaser too. I spray yardage and put in dryer to get out the wrinkles when I don't want to wash it.

I hate starch...


...With a passion.

~ C

Niagara is the brand I use and have no problems with. The trick with any spray starch is to let it set for a few seconds before ironing to avoid flakes. I just made 168 HST with bias edges that would have been a nightmare to square-up if they had not been starched. Starch today is not the same formula as it was many years ago so there is no need to worry about it drawing bugs.

No, I never use starch. It irritates the heck out of my sinuses, and makes my eyes itch fiercely. I don't think that there is a truly 'flake free' starch in the world. Some may be less prone to flaking, though.

I also have to wash my fabrics before I use them, for the same reason.

Rob, my mom had one of those pop bottle sprinklers! I remember her sprinkling the ironing with water, then whatever she didn't get to got rolled up and put in the fridge in a plastic bag (a few people have mentioned that as well).Wow, that brings back memories. :o

Thanks for all the responses. I haven't used it in the past, but it makes sense for HST or anything with bias. I will give it a try and see how it goes.

Karen

It's not necessarily that the fabric is too flimsy. It helps keep biases from stretching. That can happen with any fabric.

I starch all my fabrics excluding the backings before I cut. I use what we quilters know as "Quilter's Moonshine". I make mine up in a gallon jug and keep it in the fridge down in the sewing room. I use sta flo starch along with the vodka.

Also I just found an old time wooden wringer section off a washer. Mostly all wood. Picked up a galvanized tub to attach the wringer section to so I can wring out my fabrics when I starch. Its tough going when you're starching large pieces of fabrics and I still couldn't wring them out by hand without it dripping all over the place. Now I can use this wringer setup (as soon as I clean and sand it down a little). Will probably make a sock to go over the rollers so not to transfer any marks to the light colored fabrics.

Also I let my fabrics dry completely before I press them. I usually mist them with plain water while I press as it seems to help ease out the wrinkles from wringing them out. With the new wringer setup I shouldn't have so many wrinkles..................hopefully.

Starch is my friend.

I love using starch. it sets the threads flatly and makes bias edges easy to use. it's the greatest next to the iron.

I do not use tHe fabric.