Very much a matter of personal preference. Some fabrics seem to need starch more than others so sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. But then, I don't often pre-wash either.

I startch before, it is way more accurate for me but it is a personal choice.

I startch before, it is way more accurate for me but it is a personal choice.

I don't normally use starch. If you use the search function you will find even more opinions and methods.

I haven't done much starching. I just decide that I am making wonky things if they go that way. hehe

At a free motion quilt workshop, the treacher said she starches before she cuts, starches when pressing any seams, starches when pressing the blocks, starches when she presses rows, and starches when she presses the top. She also starches the backing fabric. Said it cut down on the movement for FMQ. I can see why, she's quilting a board! But that might even help me not have wrinkles.

I think this is a great idea, and I'm going to put it in my notebook under 'Hints'! I really don't like spray starch, it always makes a mess on my iron. Better to get it done in one fell swoop like you do!!

Do you use the startch in a box that mix with water and heat or does it have to be heated. My Mom used to use it all the time and I remember it as being hot. I will try this also. Spray starching takes a lot of time in addidion to the mess it makes when spraying and on your iron and ironing board cover.

I learned to starch first. After I learned about starching, I used it when I was ironing the blocks, bad idea. I screwed up the blocks and as dense as I am, it didn't dawn on me why until after I had remade several of them. Also I learned sizing was better because it will not attract insects and such. I wash my fabric as I get it, take it out of the dryer and smooth it and fold it, if I am not going to use it right away. When I get ready to use it, I iron and starch it then.

I agree with RoseL. I don't starch unless I have to.

Is the "Magic Sizing" located by the starch at WalMart?

That's the way I do it, too....the stiffer the better

But then do you wash the starch out of the finished product.....

It will do nothing make make your cutting and sewing easier...

I usually just wash and then iron the fabric if I'm worried about bleeding. I've heard good things about starching the back of quilts though.

Do you mind telling us what kind of starch do you use?

What kind of starch do you use? Thanks. :):)

I never starched until recently. What I have found out is that it irons better and it is so much easier to work with. Exspeacialy when it comes to bias edges. I have purchased Best Press and it really works well, although, it is very expensive at $8 a bottle. I have not tried liquid starch from Walmart, yet. I have read on this board that it works good and a lot more economical. I just don't remember the brand that people recommended.

The thing about the spray starch from WalMart is that it will flake and is really bad on dark colors. I have used Best Press for a long time and love it. I bought a gallon from my LQS over a year ago and will use the last of it this week. I have asked them to order me another gallon. They don't usually stock it for sale but will special order it.

Oh poop I just bought spray starch from walmart..... It's lavender scent.....

Is this starching mainly for machine quilting? I would think that it would make hand quilting harder. I hand quilt an d have never starched....thinking that.

I starch because of the extra body and accuracy in cutting. I don't hand quilt but I don't think it would be difficult at all. It's not that stiff and you could get the quilt in the frame easier and no pleates. You could try a small piece and see how it works for you.

I always wash my fabric first: Like today OHHH I had a wine colored 100% cotton and it sure was a good thing I washed it, because it faded Big Time. I put about a capful of vinegar to the water to set it and rinsed until the water came clear. This was $5.99 fabric:::

I starch pretty heavy before cutting.

I agree - for very fussy-pieced projects with curves or lots of bias, I start before. During the construction process, though, sometimes I run into PROBLEM PIECES (you know who you are!) that I have to starch into compliance.