One our our ladies mentioned that starch is her best friend in quilting. I have been using Mary Ellen's spray and I really like it, but it does not give me the stiffness I would like.
Can you please provide me with the brand of a good spray starch that will not flake?
Thank you
D in TX

I bought Sta-Flo(concentrated) at walmart. after I mixed it 50/50, I sprayed and ironed the back of my fabric, so far no flakes (15 yards of black and dark green).

I just do a mixture of 50/50 of Sta-Flo. I saturate with it and then let it dry. Flaking isn't bad if dry. Besides I was the quilt afterwards and its all gone.

I don't really care if the starch flakes...I don't consider my quilt complete until it's washed and dried (you know, to make sure it won't fall to pieces in the wash lol), and everything washes away. :)

I agree. Sta-Flo mixed at 50/50. Spray like crazy. Iron. Ignore flakes. If it doesn't feel about like cardstock, I do it again.

LOL, like minds....none have fallen apart so far...

One of the starches I use is Niagara Spray Starch. It comes in a non-aerosol spray bottle that can be reused for the Sta-Flo 50/50 mixture. This is the only brand that I haven't had a problem with flaking.

I just spray heavier with the Mary Ellens.

To avoid flakes, let starch soak into fabric. When you iron it when it sits on top that is what causes the flakes.

THANK YOU for your responses. I am off to the grocery store to purchase Niagra and Sta Flo. I appreciate your quick responses.
D in TX

Me too!

A friend gave me a bottle of Best Press. I love it! No flakes and in a pump bottle no aerosol AND it smells good!
David

Ditto!

I use Niagara in the non aerosol spray bottle. It doesn't flake and gives me heavy stiffness.

That's what I use, too. I get it at Targets for under $2. I haven't had any flaking issues either.

I have found that the best starch that does not flake is a product called Faultless Premium Starch. It can be found at Walmart and has a gold cap. You can use this product on black and no white spots.

Stay flo 50/50, spray fabric, throw in the dryer, press, no flakes no stretching.

I had a friend use starch and it changed the color of her fabric on some of her 30's prints - I like Best Press

If you spray on your starch, then turn the fabric over and iron the other side, repeat 2 times. No flaking as you will be forcing the starch into the fibers of the fabric.

I use Faultless Premium Starch with the gold cap. It is great. Also, as state above, it helps if you let it soak in before ironing.

I use Faultless MAXX. It has a nice lavender vanilla scent and it comes in a black spray bottle that I can reuse for my Sta-Flo starch that I mix 50/50. I also spray and let it sit for a few minutes to let it soak into my fabric.

let it sit until the foam disappears and you won't get flakes...I use Mary Ellen on blocks and if I want really stiff I use the spray starch in spray cans.

I use Niagara starch to in the big bottle and put it in a spray bottle with a bit of water. I don't get flaking.

Maybe I've gotten lucky when quilting - but I am yet to spray starch a single piece when quilting - once my top is finished, I have been known to spray it with magic sizing to make it lay perfect for my quilter to quilt it - and she so appreciates that - but I never do it for me! I might have to try it and see if I maybe need to do it - but I've been lucky I guessl

I had copied these recipes for homemade starch from previous posts:

Homemade spray starch recipe

This is a great money saver and it does an excellent job.

Dissolve 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon cornstarch (depending on amount of stiffness you want) in a few tablespoons of cold water in a heat proof 2-cup measuring container. Add boiling water to make one cup, stirring constantly. Then add cold water to the 2 cup line. Let cool and use in a spray bottle.
Shake it every time you spray.

You may have to dilute it a little if it is too thick or builds up white flakes.

Discard after a week or so and make a new batch. You can also refrigerate between using to keep it fresher.

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I heard of people making homemade spray starch and adding a small amount of clear vodka to help it last longer, i thnk about 2 oz of vodka to a recipe similar to this site:

http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-starch-recipe/
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Lavender Linen Starch
Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 pint cold water. Add 6 drops of lavender essential oil. Place in a spray bottle. Shake before using.
Fresh pressed linens, nicely starched, and lavender fragrance wafting in the air. Nice!

I just buy the sta-flo at wally world and mix it up myself it is a little more economical. and when I go to iron I make sure that the fabric is 99% dry. Like I spray at night and in the morning all ready to iron and cut up. It only takes about 2 hours if it is hanging up but then again I get the fabric soooooo soaked that when it is ironed and dry it can walk away on its own. i think that it really helps keep the cutting and piecing from going every which way. you can also use any kinds of essential oils that you want the fabric to smell like. I have had a spray bottle with tea tree oil in it that I repurposed for starch and it smelled lovely.

I always allow the starch to sit a bit before ironing until it is dried and have never (yet!) had a flaking issue.

Laurie

I use magic sizing. If I want it stiffer I just spray more than once.

Okay, I'm new to quilting. What is the purpose of starch the pieces? Does it REALLY make a difference? Help......

There have been a couple of threads about starching. After reading them, I am now an avid starcher. For me, I seem to have more accurate cutting and sewing. I like the stiffness in the material and the final look. Once again, this thread has provided more to think about. Usually I use the Faultless or Niagra can of spray starch, but I might try the Stay Flo this weekend. Thanks for all your tips and suggestions!

if you have large amounts that you are needing to starch at one time like 2-3 yards, what I do is put all the fabric in the sink then add water and starch to the sink and try to get all the fabric wet. takes less time squirting fabric and my hand isn't as sore after. just make sure you have really cleaned your sink. I have done almost a full 8 yards this way. the fabric came out really great after wards.

So what I understand: you spray the fabric before cutting anything?

I buy the starch at the local dollar stores. the one I'm using now is Heavy Magic Starch and it works as well as any of the others I have used before I started using the dollar store. Spray the fabric let it sit a minute and iron. I don't have much flaking at all the flaking happens whe you have the fabric wet with starch and don't let it soak in a little. When you get flakes it will come off anyway. Been using it for over 2 years without any problems. If and when the iron gets looking like the bottom needs cleaning I take an Mr. Clean white eraser get it wet put in a pan and continue running the hot iron over it til it is clean. Makes for easy and accurate cutting. Wouldn't quilt without the starch once you see the difference.

Good Luck

Suzy

In the olden days when I startched everything ---- I found that after you spray your material if you just rub your hand over it (sorta smooshing the starch into the fabric)before you iron you have less flakes AND I usually spray on the back side and iron on the front.

A BIG thank you to everyone for the help! I greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks everyone----this has taught me a lot about starch. :thumbup:

I use liquid or spray, if you don't like flakes, let the fabric dry before pressing it :D:D:D

I use 50/50 Sta Flo in a pump sray bottle I had lying around. Works really well. Flakes? Who cares? Just wash when through with your quilt. I figure it all needs to be washed after I'm through. I used to do that all the time with all the crocheted things I used to make. Wanted everything to be nice and fresh.

I am using Magic Premium spray and I got it at Walmart and it seems fine, I don't spary to much.

if you make a 50/50 mix, make as much as you think you can use within a reasonable time. after a long time, it goes bad. it gets slimy and dark.