I'm new to this board and relatively new to quilting so I'm sorry if this is a repeat topic...

Could you all explain the subject of starching?

Thank you!
Nancy

In my case, the answer is everything because it makes it easier to sew.

I starch things super stiff before I cut. It makes it easier to cut. If you do anything cut on the bias, it helps eliminate pulling.

When sewing, fabric edges seem easier to align if they are starched heavily.

When doing applique, I starch the background into cardboard and don't have to use any stabilizer.

Oh, and what method of starching to you use? Spray or what?

Good questions!

I spray but there are other folks on the board who do it in other ways. I buy the big jug of starch and mix it myself in a spray bottle.

Some people seldom if ever starch. Like most things in quilting, I think you just have to try a few things and see what works for you.

I agree - it's a personal preference. I buy the jugs of starch also and mix my own (the other was just getting too expensive!). I don't spray it so much that it's stiff as much as to get it unwrninkled and neat enough to cut correctly. Sometimes I don't mix just right - and it's stiffer than I like but normally just enough to get the wrinkles out.

I took a paper piecing class once and one of the ladies had starched her fat quarters so much, she could hold them straight out and level using only two fingers! Now, that's dedication!

I use Mary Ellen's spray startch and always spray when I finish a block...if I have bias edges its good to starch also...sure helps

Lisa - doesn't all that starch make the quilt stiff or do you wash it out after? I can see using it for wall quilts but for bed quilts too???????

Starch washes right out. You can starch it stiff as a board and even have flakes if you get carried away, but once you wash it everything is nice and soft again.

At least it is so far, I'm no expert.

I was told that you should always use spray starch if you pre-wash your fabrics, but you don't need to if you don't. I guess because pre-washing takes out the sizing that the manufacturers include in their process. Also, Harriet Hargrave recommends using a very light spray starch when you are pressing while you are constructing your blocks. Your seams lay flatter and make it much easier to stitch in the ditch when you are quilting.

If you do use spray starch, you need to wash the quilt if it isn't going to be used right away, because it attracts bugs.

I am a heavy starch convert! :lol: I love how easy my fabric is to cut and my seams line up much better when I starch. I love the Niagra spray starch but my try the kind you mix yourself. I just bought a gallon of Mary Ellen's Best from Joann's for $21, tax and shipping made it $29.00 I am going to save it for special quilt projects.

" am a heavy starch convert! I love how easy my fabric is to cut and my seams line up much better when I starch. I love the Niagra spray starch "

SherriB...ditto....I didn't realize how much easier starch would make cutting, folding over my 1/4 seams...everything is just so much easier and now I think back to all the time I never thought to use starch. Live N Learn what you like and don't like is alot of learning quilting.
dee-soaking up the wonderful knowledge-thank-you

Before the ladies on the board told me to starch my fabric, I though starch was just for keeping your basketball shoes from sliding!!

Thanks for all your useful information. I'll give it a try!

Hi, thanks for starting this thread as I was wondering about starching also.

Karen

I starch all of my fabrics pretty heavily.
It keeps my borders and quilt edges from rippling, while PP I can finger press. When sewing strips together I don't have any problems with them bowing either. I have not yet found a problem with using my stiff fabrics :wink: But I can list many more benefits to starching.
I have gone through my starched fabrics and have not seen any sign of bugs, but I think it can be more of a regional issue.

I starch, and just use Niagra Spray Starch. It makes cutting and matching seams and sides so much easier.

I like to use sizing. I makes fabric easier to cut but not stiff. Although if you spray more than once it will get stiffer. Also if I don't wash a quilt right away it is O.K.

I used to use hers, but now I make my own. Much cheaper.

do you use liquid starch to make your own...I love the smells of Mary Ellen

:lol:

I was at a quilt workshop last week and subject of starch came up. Many of us said we used Mary Ellen's Best Press. I really like and so does my hubby when he has to iron a shirt....maybe I ought to hide it just for quilting....One of the ladies said, why would you buy Mary Ellen's at the high price, there is a recipe for her starch on the internet....QNNTV or something. Has anyone see this recipe. By the way, $29 was a great price for a gallon. You can get the spray bottle at Hancock's for $4.99 if you would to try it. No Flakes! this is why the hubby likes it.
D in TX

I've been looking for the gallon size....use alot of it...did you know that if you let regular spray starch sit for a minute and soak in you will get no flakes...another of those tidbits at a quilt class LOL

Thanks for all that info. I just started starching stuff too. Its really a good habit to get into. Instead of grabbing my water bottle I grab the starch. The quilter likes it when people use starch too. Huh Shelley. :thumbup:

Okay, I am going to try using starch. I can sure see the benefits from what everyone has said.

My question is whether you starch the fabric before cutting it out. I'm guessing it would be more manageable then, but does it take long? I'm always short of time, but maybe it saves time in the long run.

Hi Nancy. I am Marta, from Pittsburg, Ks.
I belong to our local Quilt Guild. The subject of starching has come up several times. This is the consensus of opinion on it.
Always use the Sizing, as starch draws bugs to our quilts, and the sizing doesn't. Sizing makes the fabric easier to stitch and gives it a nice, crisp finish.
Good luck with your quilt!

Please explain the difference between sizing and starch?

I prewash the fabric remove from the washer and starch heavy, but I use the liquid starch, much cheaper than the spray.

I use 4 to 5 cups of starch to 1 cup of water.

Soak for a few minutes, squish it all around making sure the fabric is soaked good, then squeeze it out and throw it in dryer.

When done starching the fabric I just pour it back into the container, mark the starch container diluted.

If you are going to do light and dark fabrics, do the light first. If you have lots of starch in your bowl after doing the light fabrics then put some it back in the bottle before putting your dark fabric in the starch just in case if fades a bit.

I got a oblong plastic container at Walmart.

Good luck and enjoy
Pam

This is a great idea!

Thanks everybody for the questions & answers to starching. I'm working on my first flannel quilt & used your advice to starch. What a great trick. I've been talking to my fellow quilters here in the neighborhood & nobody had heard about it. Thank you all for the great lessons I get from you. Pat

I also like to give my fabrics a good starching before I embroider on the machine. Even though I use stablizers, the extra starching seems to give me a nicer finished product.

Margie

I had never heard of statching either, but once I read about it from this forum, I tried it. It makes a big difference. Like others have stated earlier, seams line up easier. The fabric keeps its shape, the finished product looks so much nicer. Try it, you'll like it!

Starch! What a great idea--I am going to give this a try. I don't how I let this get past me before. I'm sure I must have heard this before but it just sunk in! I love this board==I look forward to it. Being a new quilter (3 baby size completed)I learn so much. Thanks!

I just started using Mary Ellen's for a class I was taking. I used half of a bottle just in class alone. It is a nice product but too expensive to use continually.

Here's a homemade starch recipe I found on about.com.

1 heaping tablespoon corn starch, 1 pint cold water, 1-2 drops essential oil (optional for scent of your choice). Mix til cornstarch is completely dissolved. Put in spray bottle.

Some have mentioned keeping this in the refrigerator and shaking it each time you use it.

I haven't used this recipe but I did see it recently posted on a Board question about starch.

What is sizing?

This Board is so beneficial to my quilting. Thanks everyone.

I generally do not starch my fabric unless I work with bias pieces (they distort too easily). However, starch is my friend when I make circle appliques. I use the lavender-scented starch in the spritz bottle. (Mary Ellen's Best??)

Sizing can be found with starch at stores. It's called Magic Sizing. On the can it says, gives body without stiffness.

Thanks Lisa

I have been quilting for 40 years and have never starched any of my fabric. If you buy good quality fabric, I see no reason to have to starch it. I have never read anything about starching in any of the quilt books I have read.
But I suppose there maybe certain techniques that may require starching. But for piecing I don't see why you would need to.
Pieces

after washing my material i iron it with the spray Niagra starch it makes sewing on it so much easier also i will use starch on my seams when pressing them after sewing them

Thanks for all the information on starching. Will it make my rotary blade sticky when cutting the fabric?