For spray starch, the secret is in giving the starch time to sink into the fabric. This probably takes longer if the fabric has not been prewashed because the fabric is treated in the factory to resist dirt (and starch!). Flakes and "snow" occur when the starch is ironed before it has had a chance to be completely absorbed by the fabric fibers.

I do not use spray starch anymore because I seem congenitally unable to wait long enough at the ironing board. Since I don't prewash, my fabrics usually have enough stiffening in them already for accurate cutting and piecing.

When I do starch fabric, it's usually for backing fabric. For that, I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water to make a heavy solution, paint it on to the fabric with a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated, toss in the dryer, and then iron with steam. Drying the fabric before ironing ensures there will be no wet starch to scorch. With this method I can use a very hot iron and not worry about scorching the starch because it has been entirely absorbed by the fabric. The steam re-activates the starch just enough for ironing all the wrinkles out.

Thanks for the great question Billy! I've learned a lot by reading everyone's posts...Mary Ellen's smells great but doesn't starch as heavy as my grocery store Faultless Heavy Starch I buy in Walmart. I don't get flaking and I sometimes will spray on both sides...one quilter's theory who taught a class said when it's hot she flips and starches the other side and figures it soaks deeper when hot...I don't know if that's true or not.

Great ideas here. Thanks Billy for posting that. Thanks for all the ideas. :thumbup:

So the not being able to wait for it to soak in is congenital? I wonder if I can teach hubby or one of the kids to iron? Oh, that's right--Hubby has the don't know how to work an iron congenital defect and the kids have inherited both problems.

I guess I had better start throwing it in the dryer as suggested. I always wash my quilts as soon as the binding is on so flakes don't bother me but I can actually scorch the guaranteed not to scorch starch. Definitely points to a congenital issue--LOL!

I have another question about Mary Ellen's. I have used it, but it seems to stick to my iron and later leaves scorch marks on fabric. It does wash out, but am I using it too hot (cotton setting) or is it what the bottom of my iron is made of? Am I supposed to dilute it?

I have not had that happen and I do use my iron very hot. I do not dilute. Sorry I'm not more help. I do buy it by the gal. online at Joann's if I have a coupon. I know there's some controversy about Joann's that didn't know about before, but so far my coupon worked well online.

One lady at one of my LQSs recommended diluting it a little and I have tried using it both ways. I don't mind it but, like another poster, found that regular starch worked better.

I spray my fabric until it is wet with starch, hang it up on a tension rod until it dries. I don't have any problem with scorching or flaking. It works well for me with canned or what I mix myself :D:D:D

If I am in a hurry, I put a fan on it :wink:

My secret is don't use starch. I hate the residue everywhere.

Billy, I wash my quilts before giving them. It washes right out. Just more of an irritant if anything. :-D