Starching a quilt top
 

I've been searching for a solution, but can't seem to find one.

I have a quilt top that is not as flat as I'd like it to be. I'm not taking it apart to fix it, it's too big, and the problem is in the middle. I've never used starch before, and am wondering - can I starch the quilt top and then quilt it?

What happens to the "puckering" in the middle? What are the effects of starching it? I know I have to wash the quilt when I am done, which is fine, as I always wash all of mine.

Just wondering if this could be a solution to my problem?

Thanks!

I don't know about starching. Quilting will sometime take out some of the puckering. When it is washed it will be all wrinkly, like I like quilts.

I always starch mine, makes them flatter. Since the pucker is in the middle, be sure and quilt out from the middle and that should straighten it out.

I always starch my blocks as I piece them and after I get them all put together. I quilt on my home machine and I think it helps them to quilt better. Also it does help the blocks to lay smooth.

Thanks, I'll go watch it now!!!!

I don't think it will be a problem if you starch. I routinely heavily spray starch both tops and backing before quilting. My sister has given me some pretty wonky tops with excess fabric in many of the pieces. After quilting (I did quilt closely, less than 1" apart, with a simple looping pattern), no one would be able to tell. It also helps to use a cotton batting that shrinks. Once you get that shrinkage, even big mistakes no longer seem to show.

ok, I watched, helpful, but what about the fact that it's a quilt top? All the videos I see are about the fabric before you cut LOL

Will it still work?

use some steam in the too big area (just be sure to press not iron!) and see if that helps. With starch is even better cause the starch will "sit the shrink" Good luck!

Logically hot water will,shrink cotton fibers...did you prewash fabric? If so, it is already shrunken, but maybe a good steam ironing will do a bit more. Do you know what seams are not true 1/4" causing the puckering? Can you just redo those to adjust. Maybe stitches were too tight in that area causing the puckering, again redo changing stitch length or tension....just a few other ideas for you to,think about.

Starch is bought, will be trying it out this weekend! Thanks for all the tips.

GeriB - I'm not taking it apart LOL ... it's in the middle of a huge quilt, and I simply won't do it for this one.

I think you might be creating more problems for yourself than you will be solving by starching at this point. There are so many things that go into a puckering situation; some patches might have been too large in relation to those around it; the seam allowances not even when the stitching done; stretching bias edges when 'ironing instead of pressing; steam that shrunk one fabric differently than adjacent fabrics. The problem cannot be solved unless you understand the cause of it.

Perfect, I'll look at that too!

Quilterpurpledog - I know exactly what happened, I'm just not willing to fix it. I tested a pattern that I designed and ran into some problems. I tried a quick fix on the way, it obviously didn't work LOL The quilt is just for me and the cat to cuddle up on the sofa with, so I don't really care about some puckering. I've never used starch before, so this is also the perfect opportunity to try it out!

Thanks for all the suggestions and help

Hopefully, you will let us know how this works for you. Never know when you might need a fix for this type of situation. Good luck!

I am always amazed at what blocking can accomplish. If you have a spot--spare bed, empty floor area--and can lay out the top (even if you fold over the outside parts and pin or tape them down-you really just want to stabilize the area that you want to block) then spray with plain old water and let it dry. I have shrunk (and stretched) blocks this way as well as squaring up very wonky panels. If it doesn't work, nothing lost.

I just watched the video Tartan! WOW ... Looks like I might be ok since mine is definitely not as bad as she said hers was!

Thanks all

Great question and greats suggestions. I sure will need this, someday! thank you.