So many of you have been writing that you wash your fabric first , then starch it. So you use spray starch?? :?:

I use Magic Sizing Spray Starch...the one with the lavender scent. Our LQS carries a different brand that is non-aresol. I can't remember the brand name though. ;(

I use Sta-Flo liquid starch so that I can mix it to the strength I need at the time of use.

I put an old shower curtain over my dryer and spray, spray, spray. Then let it almost dry, iron. Maybe spray a little bit more as I'm ironing. Or stick it wet in a (new) plastic garbage bag if I'm not able to get to it right then.

I don't wash my fabric first. However, when I want to starch a lot of yardage, I mix up a solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water. I "paint" this solution onto the yardage with a large wall painting brush until the yardage is saturated. Toss in dryer, iron with steam. This is the fastest, easiest way I have found to starch large pieces of fabric. (My hand would get very tired trying to spray starch on a lot of fabric!!)

If I want to prepare a quilt top for layering, I just use a commercial spray starch and try to be *very* careful about overspray and iron temperature.

Iron temperature is important because it will scorch very easily!

Stupid question? what is the purpose for sizing/starch? I have never used either of them?

I starch backings heavily before layering because it prevents unwanted tucks and puckers when I machine quilt. Starching the top does the same thing for the top.

Those who pre-wash fabrics often starch to restore some of the factory stiffness to fabric (there is sizing in the fabric from the factory). Starching stabilizes fabric so it does not stretch and distort as you handle it. Starching before cutting makes accurate cutting and piecing easier.

Sizing is a chemical that mimics light starching. Starch is a natural product made from corn, and can be made in varying strengths.

when you mix the Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water how much of the sta-flo do you use to what amount of water..I used 1 to 1 and when I saturated my fabric an tossed it in the dryer and when it was done in the dryer and I ironed it..It didnt feel much different then it did before starched it..so can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you
sandy

I pre wash and use a spray starch, both for pressing after the wash and after piecing before squareing off my blocks and again for the final pressing after the quilt is assembled.