I starch only sparingly, but I'm kind of a sloppy quilter, LOL. I only starch usually when I'm pressing blocks, not on uncut fabric, and then only occasionally. I do like Best Press best; I've tried regular starch from the grocery store once when I ran out (can't remember the brand; something in a red & white aerosol can) and it was a disaster. Flaky & messy and left white spots - it didn't even spray out neatly but went sputtering out everywhere. No thank you!

But so far my quilts have mostly been straight lines and boxes; not a lot of points or complicated blocks - it seems to me starch would be really helpful if you're doing kind of 'fussy" quilting like that.

I boil my own, make it real thick then put it in a jar and put in fridge. When I need starch I just add what I need to hot water and mix. It stays a pretty long time in fridge and doesn't smell.
To prevent any lumps I pour the mix thru a strainer while pouring in bottle. It's inexpensive and very effective. I think the brand if Niagra.

I never starch.

I just use Niagra, I've had really good luck with it and for a dollar a can you can't go wrong. I spray and give it a few seconds to a minute to soak into fabric before ironning. This keeps that white residue from forming on your fabric. I especially starch heavily when I'm cutting on the bias to prevent added stretching.

I've used then all from the powder you boil to the cornstarch recipe to the vodka. If it's a new pressing spray I'll try it. Honestly I can't tell much difference, they all do the job. Some smell better then others. I mix a lot of them. Right now I'm using StaFlo liquid concentrate added to Bounce ironing spray. I like my fabric stiff before cutting.

I use Best Press. I buy the gallon container online from Joanns with a free shipping coupon code. I also read some where on QB to water it down a bit - makes it go farther. I've been doing that and it seems to work. I also don't starch my fabric before cutting. I apply it to my cut pieces being careful to press and not iron.

I use Best Press also. I now use it on all my fabric before I cut as it is so much nicer to cut and sew this way. I do use it somewhat sparingly. Someone I know did a bulk order for a lot of us and we all saved a bundle that way. Not sure where she ordered it from, but she has a conncetion from working with quilt shops and gets great discounts.

Just an added note: I am asthmatic and the smells in BP don't bother me. Hmmm. Guess I really don't use much after all.

I've been quilting a long time.... since 1990's and been sewing a lot longer.... since 1950's. I had never used starch for quilting until a few years ago.... and I only use it if the fabric frays easily or is really limp. Anyway, when I started using it on the advise of my LQS, they told me to use sizing instead of starch. Starch is flour based, sizing is not. Rodents and bugs like flour.... it's food to them.... so they might like to feast on your quilt or starched stash if they get the chance. Since I spend 6 months at a winter home and 6 months at a summer home, I'd rather not take the chance on anything happening at either place. Maybe it's not as big a problem as the LQS suggested but, I always use sizing and have never had a problem so far.

I use Magic Sizing....works for me. :)

Hello, just found your you wanting information on starch to use. First of all I started quilting back in 1987 and made my first tablecloth. found out much later that it wasn't a beginner project, but at the time I didn't know. I like the board here and all the members too. I found 1 partner in a swap block and that was back in 2011. She & I are emailing each other even 2 yrs. later and have become good friends and my husband & I flew out to meet her and her 2 sweet kids.
So now "starch" I use Spray Faultless Heavy lavender scented.I get it from my grocery store or Walmart and cost 97cents.
I only use on fabrics before cutting out pieces. Nothing else gets the starch. I think the fabrics need it to keep from stretching out of square. Makes cutting so much easier. And it smells great also. I keep it down stairs in my sewing room and upstairs for use there. Now its such a habit that I don't even think about it just grab the can and spray as I go.
Hope this helps you out.
Jigs