When to starch???
 

I have a new project with some fabric that I know will handle better if it is starched. Is it easier or better to starch the whole piece of fabric or to cut the fabric and then starch???

I have read on here about doing it both ways...I have not ever starched a whole piece. I just starch what I have cut...but I think if the fabric is too flimsy I would choose to do the whole piece.

I starch before I cut... and sometimes after, depending on the fabric.

I starch before cutting. What I do is mix a solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this one with a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated (my kitchen island works wells for this job), toss the fabric in the dryer, then iron with steam. You get more accurate cuts when the fabric is starched first.

I do before and after then as i pc. I use the non aresole from niagra, its like chocolate, smell is addicting, and no stretching.
walmart has it.

I starch really well before cutting my pieces. I find that wetting the fabric relaxes the fibers and leaves it susceptible to stretching out of shape when you press/iron the seams, so once starched I don't wet it anymore until it's finished and going to the wash.

This is why I only starch before....

I always starch before cutting. I've only tried starching after cutting and it was a disaster.
The cut pieces shrunk under the iron. I prefer to see the fabric shrink before cutting.

I usually starch as I'm piecing something that I want to lay really flat. Or sometimes if I'm working with triangles or something with a lot of bias edges I'll starch before I cut the piece so that it stays put.

Just a note...beware wetting or starching white fabrics. The heat from the iron stays hot longer and it burns more easily. Ask me how I know. ;)

Starch then cut, especially if you don't prewash. Your fabric will shrink.

I starch prior to cutting. Before I started to starch before cutting.. I had some issues with shrinkage of cut fabric... then it dawned on me .. moisture and heat = shrinkage. Now I starch , let dry , press, then cut.

I starch before cutting and during piecing and sometimes if I need to, after the top is together during a final pressing.

I like to starch up to 1 yd pieces. Bigger than that and it gets to clumsy. I like to figure out how much yardage for each part of a project. If it calls for so many strips at at a certain width I add the total and cut that ammount plus a one or two inches for straightening then I starch it and cut into strips.
peace

Thank you all so much for your replies....I know exactly what to do now!!!