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Originally Posted by Prism99
(Post 6281875)
Reb, I believe any kind of starch can attract bugs. This is because starch is made from organic materials such as potatoes, rice, corn, etc. Sizing is chemically manufactured and therefore does not attract bugs, but sizing stiffens fabric considerably less than starch does.
A lot depends on where you live. In warm, humid climates where there are a lot of bugs then storage of starched fabric might present a problem. In MN and WI it has been a non-issue for me. Some of my starched fabric has been stored for years without attracting bugs. |
I am in the process of making two civil war quilts with very small blocks. Our instructor tell us to use starch on the fabric before cutting and also while piecing. When doing this my blocks are absolutely perfect so I do believe that the starch helps with precision.
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I prewash the fabric (as soon as it comes home from the fabric store). For the most part I purchase high quality fabric because I'm putting in a great deal of time and effort into making a quilt and to chinch out on fabric quality isn't an option for me. I do not starch unless I have a fabric that just seems flimsy and I am having trouble with. I will also starch slightly if my seams don't lie down well (as they did not on the bargello quilt).
For me starch is a tool when issues arise, not something I use all the time. |
I'm learning to starch every triangle that I use. It really prevents stretching the bias. I made placemats that were all composed of triangles. I was able to perfectly match up point because of using starch. I shudder to think what they would have turned out like had I not used the starch. I am currently making a quilt that is set on point. After the top is together, you cut the edges and end up with triangles. Before I make those cuts, I will be heavily starching those pieces so they stay true to their shape.
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I do agree that using starch/sizing as a tool can be useful.
I still think using starch/sizing to try to bulk up flimsy fabric that is floppier than the surroumding fabrics is a waste. What happens when the next person washes the item? |
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