I use 50/50, too. I spray the back first and then spread it with my hands, turn the fabric over and press. Then I so the opposite. It makes it really stiff and there are no flakes. Also, having it starched well makes FMQ smoother and when washed any markings for quilting come off with the starch.

Don't starch stored fabrics as it may draw silverfish.
D

love_2_quilt-I have never had a problem with my starched fabric drawing silverfish. I do think that if you have a problem with the silverfish or other bugs, that you shouldn't store your starched fabric. I also don't usually have a lot of unused starched fabric.

The bug issue is why I never use real starch. Magic Sizing doesn't have whatever bugs are attracted to according to the company.

Wow...Great thread...always learning something new.

Now don't laugh at me, but this is how I starch my fabrics from half yds to larger pieces to smaller pieces. First I put down an old bed sheet on the floor or outside on my back deck, then I make up a 50/50 starch solution, I use Sta Flo from a jug. I put my mixture into this wonderful hand sprayer, adjust the spray mist nozzle and just spray my fabrics. If it is a nice day outside, I will hang my pieces on the clothesline to dry up a bit because sometimes if I do a heavy starch it may be a little drippy. If the weather is not good outside then I take my starched pieces and toss them into the dryer on air only and dry them for a few minutes. This does not harm your dryer. You can find these great little sprayers in the garden area of your favorite store. Mine came from WM. [ATTACH=CONFIG]465417[/ATTACH]

I use best press, spray until damp, and iron away, I don't wait and I don't get flakes either.

Wow, I just spray from the can and press...lol....

I use Sta-flo and mix a 50/50 solution. Have a cheapy spray bottle. Spray onto the fabric until quite damp. Wait a minute or two until it's totally absorbed and iron away. I don't get flakes at all. Much prefer the sta-flo to the aerosol sprays.

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I think I need to be a little more patient between the spraying and the ironing. Two tips that I have picked up in addition to all of these here on this thread is to put down a piece of fabric, like cheap muslin, over your ironing board to protect it from any residue and then it is easily removed for laundering. The second tip is to use a magic eraser (like Mr. Clean brand or other) on your cold iron and it will clean all the gunk off. I do not have a coated sole plate on my iron so I don't know if it would hurt that or not but it works like a charm on a metal sole plate. I certainly will try and wait more between spritzing and pressing.