i starch my fabric all the time except i am still using the niagra spray starch , i tried making my own but it just didnt work for me !!

Never was or starch my stuff = the new material has all the sizing that I need already in it and it only adds to the time and expense to add more to it.

i use spray starch and prewash my fabrics, starch and iron before storing. Starch again when necessary.
Starch blocks and press before squareing up. Spray starch again once quilt is complete before loading on frame.

And is the feel different between sizing and spray starch? Is spray starch better than the liquid starch?? Thanks

I have always starched fabrics as I use them. I have only tried the spray starch & it works good but think I'm going to try the liquid starch also. I know just the spray starch has greatly improved my piecing. It is just a personal preference whether to starch or not. If anyone is having problems though I would suggest just trying it. Takes a little more time but well worth it.

I use spray starch when I need to trace on the fabric

Spray starch is made from corn; sizing is made chemically. Bugs won't eat sizing, so some people prefer it for fabric that will be stored.

Spray starch (even the heaviest kind) is still much lighter than what you can get by mixing Sta-Flo and water yourself. Sizing is lighter than the heaviest kind of spray starch I have found.

I don't think there is necessarily a "better"; it's a matter of personal preference, location, and need.

The question that I have with starching is: does it hurt the color of the fabric?

No. You do have to wash a quilt made with starched fabric in order to get the starch out, but the starch does not affect the dyes in the fabrics.

I always starch when paper piecing. It really helps with the finger pressing after each piece is sewn on.

I always starch when paper piecing. It really helps with the finger pressing after each piece is sewn on.

I don't generally starch but do use majic spray periodically.

Does anyone have a solution for ridding a house of silver fish...never had them before; now they are just about everywhere..I've tried several things, but they don't seem to mind the sprays. I really need help on these little pests.

wow...and the bugs don't eat your fabric....I was taught NOT to starch as it can throw your grain off! I do use sizing if I feel it is needed, and even that is diluted!

I like to use the liquid starch. It is still available in the detergent aisle. Ask the store manager. They usually only have a few bottles and they are usually on the bottom shelf :lol:

The only place I can get the liquid concetrate is at Walmart. So every few months I stop and pick it up. It is so much cheaper to use the concentrate than the spray. Plus I can make it stronger than spray if I need to. I do keep a can on hand just in case I need a quick blast.

We learned in Guild that starch has properties which attract bugs that can get into the quilts. The recommendation was to use sizing. It has nothing in it that will attract bugs or anything else.
Mariah.

Try moth balls in the attic.

Hey Nancy, If you want I would be willing to send you some starch if you are having trouble finding it. I personally do not use starch (I have allergies to alot of things) but if you are accustom to using it then you NEED it. Let me know. Sandi

I have 2 cans of Magic Sizing Fabric finish Light Body says it makes ironing easier. Light body without Stiffness. Is that what I should use or did I buy the wrong thing?

Depends on what you like. Sizing is chemically made and so never attracts bugs. I personally don't use it because it doesn't make fabric as stiff as I like. When I buy spray starch, I buy the heaviest spray starch I can find (currently in my sewing room Magic Professional, I think from Walmart). For heavy starching of backing fabrics and fabric that will be cut on the bias, though, I mix up a solution of Sta-Flo and water.

It is safe to store fabric that has sizing in it indefinitely.

I starch the fabric before I even cut it...it holds the layers together better, and every time I press sewn pieces I starch and of course again before I sandwich the quilt, I starch the top again and also starch the backing well. Then I can mark the quilting design on the starch so when I wash the quilt all markings come right out......it works for me. :)

Spray starch helps a lot, especially any piece with a bias (starch before cutting) and the backs of quilts to be machine quilted. I hope you find a good source in your area. If not, it can be ordered online. It would be costly, but if you have a guild or just several quilting friends, you might be able to get together on a larger quantity to share. Maybe it would be reasonable. Amazon, for one, lists a large number of brands, so they must be reasonable enough to attract some buyers. Another idea: possibly a local laundry service could get some for you? That's just a guess, but there would be nothing to lose by asking.