I starch, let the starch absorb into the fabric for a few minutes and then, while it's still damp from the starch, press dry. I've evolved to using the liquid starch you can mix to varying strengths. If you have lighter-weight fabric, go heavy on the starch. Maybe even doing 2-3 passes if you're using pre-mix.

Thank You, I think that I was not using enough starch. I started using more and letting it set a couple minutes, then pressed - working much better.

Thank You. Working much better now.

Dried starch will leave the fabric stiff. It will be smooth only if you press while damp (or wet!)

A lot of times, I'll dampen (with starch) several pieces, stack them up, fold them up to a smaller size, lay something heavy over them----------cutting board or something similar. Go fix lunch or throw more laundry in the dryer or sew a bit more, then come back to press. The starch is better distributed over the fabric and not too wet in spots.

Take it from someone who hates to iron-----------------next to forever. If you want, just roll up for a short time (10-15 minutes) or roll up, slip in a plastic bag and put in the fridge, if you don't intend to iron shortly.

Also from someone who hates to iron--------------the freezer is for long term storage. No real need if you intend to iron the same day.

I spray my startch, then wad the fabric up in a tight ball. Then I straighten it out. Let set several minutes, then press. This allows startch to absorb well and evenly.

I prefer to wet the fabric completely with starch and then let it dry completely, before ironing. I find I get the stiffest results , and no starch build up on the iron.

I am so glad to learn that I am not the only one who puts starched fabric in the freezer before pressing it. I really do think it presses easier when I freeze it first. I did that because I thought that was what my mother did; but actually, she probably just put it in the refrigerator. I leave mine in for an hour or two or overnight. Yes, I, too, have found a bag of frozen fabric in the freezer and wondered what it was.

I use Sta-Flo starch, you can get it in 1/2 gallons at Walmart. Bring it home and pour into a gallon container and fill with water. Dampen your fabric with water then spray solid with the starch. I like to put mine in the frig over night or all then iron until DRY ! ! ! All of this is before you cut any pieces. You will have less dust (fuzz), less raveling, better matched seams , etc., etc. A much better quilt top, that is my opinion. You cannot do this after pieces are cut because the starch will disstort the pieces.