I want to try using starch on my fabric. If I have a piece of fabric about a meter in length, how do I go about starching it? Do most of you use spray starch? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.


ranger

YES YES YES Starch!!! I spray the fabric and let it set for about 15 mins then lay it out and press it well. The best starch is Mary Ellen's but that is quite pricey. Can Spray starch has always had a tendency to burn for me. I use the starch in a blue gallon jug that you mix 50/50 with water. Starch is absolutely necessary if your fabric is not the best quality. If it is higher quality then starch is still very useful but not as critical IMHO.

I use a heavy spray starch. I spray dry fabric until it is damp and let it dry again..then I steam press it. When I am cutting pieces with bias edges, I spray it heavier, or a second time and let it dry again before pressing.

I use a pink lavender-scented starch. It's not too heavy. I also use sizing in the can - it is also not too heavy. I want my fabric to still be pliable.

I buy liquid starch and then mix it in a spray bottle with water. One bottle has lasted me for forever - and I use alot - usually go through one spray bottle per two weeks maybe - depends on how much sewing I can get in in that time period, of course.

Love the mary ellen's spray starch...fabric feels great and smells beautiful!:)I have found great deals on that at Hancocks and it is so much of a deal I don't buy it ever again from the LQS...I paid $4 on sale there for what would be $13 at the LQS...big difference! Watch for sales for it..also, I have found I really like the Walgreen's brand of spray starch too. I use that on big pieces like yardage...save my Mary's for piecing and last press;)I'm a starch'n queen!! Skeat

Thank you.

Another question....if it's a bigger piece of fabric, how do you keep the area clean as you spray?


ranger

I have one of those sit on boards that you put on top of your ironing board...I wrapped and stapled extra batting and then muslin. I haven't seen a problem of leaving a mess anywhere...and if I did, eventually I'll replace the muslin...:)Skeat

Have you ever been to MaryEllen's website? She sells her starch by the gallon too. Right now that is a lot of money for me to spend. I wish I had another quilter who lived close by so we could split the jug, and then it wouldn't seem so expensive. I do love that starch.
Bev

I usually use Mary Ellen's spray starch -- love that stuff. If I need it stiffer, then I use a spray starch or spray sizing. :D

I use Niagara Spray starch, it does not flake or build up on my iron. Most stores here have Faultless brand of spray starch, but it flakes. I found Niagara at the dollar stores. :D

I use Niagra or linen spray(sizing) and iron on the backside of the fabric. I've never had a problem with buildup on the ironing board, but wash the cover now and then anyway.

Where is Mary Ellen's site?

Niagra Starch has a new liquid in a spray bottle that has a Fresh Linen smell to it and it is comparable to Mary Ellens at only about $1.50 instead of almost $8.00. I use the new Niagra all the time now. You can get it at Walmart or Target or some grocery stores.

I'll have to look for that. When Best Press first came out I read somewhere that Mary Ellen's Best Press was the same as Niagara, only scented. There is no place to buy Best Press in my area and to order it would be too expensive for a starch product.

STARCH? Absolutely,,,,,,,,,,,I use Mary Ellen's Best Press...it is pricey - BUT JOann's on line always seems to have a 40% off or 50% off coupon, and you can get he gallon jug (refill) for under $25.00. It is the best - and does not gunk up your iron or needles....

I used to use Magic Sizing but can't get it anymore. So yes I do starch (the more the better).

Where can you purchase the Mary Ellen starch?
thanks,
Sarah in No. Calif

[quote=Sarah CA]Where can you purchase the Mary Ellen starch?
thanks,
Sarah in No. Calif

I order it from Joann's On Line, but only when there is a 40% or 50% off coupon............otherwise, it runs about $49 a gallon........................It is called Mary Ellen's BEST PRESS.............check it out.........

I was worried about the over spray of the starch, I had a LOT of fabric to spray...so I decided to spray the fabrics over the bath tub and then I was hanging them on hangars on the shower curtain rod... Well that evening I went to get in the shower and the bath tub floor was like a skating rink!!! :shock: :oops: :oops: I did not get hurt, but to this day I do NOT know how I kept on my feet :roll: :roll: I still spray over the tub if I have a lot of fabric, but I always rinse it out with hot water the minute I am done!!!

My question is why starch at all? I've never done it but I'm rather a recent, intermitent quilter in recent years and haven't been told to apply starch in any of the lessons or books I have. Should I be starching?

Starching stabilizes fabric so that you can get more accurate cuts and also piece more accurately (less stretching of the fabric edge). Stiffly starching backing fabric before layering the quilt sandwich prevents tucks and puckers underneath when you machine quilt.

I don't use spray starch because I always seem to scorch it. :oops: I lay fabric on my kitchen island, use a large wal painting brush to "paint" on a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, toss the saturated fabric in the dryer, then iron with steam.

I usually don't starch fabrics for the top because I don't prewash. Fabric comes from the store with some sizing and starch already in it, and I find this is enough to keep me accurate with cutting and piecing. I do prewash and dry flannel fabrics, though, because they shrink so much. Since washing removes all the manufacturer's sizing, I use my starching method above for washed flannel. It makes my flannel piecing very accurate.

Yep just found this out. Iam rather new to quilting. I just did not get what the fuss was over starching. Then I started doing a BOM called Sentimental Journey and used the same fabric as the sample quilt. One of the fabric is flimsy in comparison with the others. I had a terrible time doing the 1st block . Then the Ahh! moment hit and I starched that fabric and no more problem. Just goes to show some of us have to learn the hard way.

I believe it's just
www.maryellen.com
or you can type into your search area,
Mary Ellen's Best Press
and see what that does for you.
Good Luck.
Bev

BTW-I understand you can get it at Shipshawanna also

Same here. Not going to start now. Can just about afford the fabric.

I just started using that but found there were little bits of "glittery" stuff all over the fabric! Never had that with the spray but I can't make the spray come out in a fine mist. Perhaps I'll try mixing up another kind and putting it in the spray bottle.

I make my own starch. I mix 2 cups of cold water with one tablespoon of corn starch in a spray bottle. I give it a good shake before I spray onto fabric. If I want more stiffness, I add a little more cornstarch. It keeps in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks with no issues.

I spray this onto fabric and let it soak in so the liquid is not sitting on the surface of the fabric then I usually press it when damp. This way the heat from the iron makes steam (much like when you spritz water on fabric before pressing to make steam.) I always spray on the back side of the fabric. I don't have issues with flaking or spotting.

It works as well as the store bought without any of the chemicals or propellants. If I want a light scent, I can add a few drops of essential oils or even a drop of lemon extract.

Just corn starch like from the grocery store?

Tarbender does your LQS sell Mary Ellen's? Sometimes they will refill your bottle at a cheaper price.

HI everyone,
I make my own starch. mix 1/2c.cornstarch in 1c. cold water. Then boil water in large pot,remove from heat. Add the cold water mix to: 2qts hot water for heavy starch,4qts hot water for medium starch, 6qts hot water for lite starch.[4c.water=1qt]
I needed lots of starch for cheep so looked on line. Save the extra in your Refer. put in your own sprayer. Or can dip your items/doilies/fabric.As I did doilies for my Quilt.

I make my own with cornstarch too. Nothing is cheaper than that.