When to use starch, sizing, best press, vodka mixture???
 

When, during the quilting process, do you use any of these products...best press, starch, sizing, homemade vodka mixture, etc?

What is the difference between all of these products?
What is the beefit from using any of these products?

Do you use it if you prewash or not prewash? And if so, when?
Do you use it to iron yardage before you cut?
Do you use it with precuts?
Do you use it during the piecing process?
Before you square up blocks?
Multuple times during the quilting process?

Thanks!

I can't answer all the questions, but I can tell you what I do. I use starch or sizing (depending on which one I have, but usually it's starch). I pre-wash everything, then press and fold until I'm ready to use it. I starch before cutting (most of the time). I don't buy pre-cuts.

Vodka mix, really. Or is that just to ease the sewing process? LOL

Re: Vodka Mix
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...a-t126870.html

I pre wash everything before it goes in my stash. My fabrics come from different sources and if there is going to be a problem - bleeding, shrinkage - I want to know that upfront. I don't use any sizing or starches.

I prewash everything too. I only press it as I use it. I fold it nice when it comes out of the dryer, then press when needed. Don't see the need to press twice. I started using the tea rose Best Press, love it. Tried deluting it 50%, but then the smell is pretty much gone, so may not do that again. That stuff really spoils you with it's nice scent, ahh! LOL! Like to prewash though, even by hand, then I know it's one less thing to worry about....

I also use Best Press; I buy it on sale at Hancock's or Joann's with coupons. I just love the smell!

Generally I use Best Press when I press yardage before use. Sometimes I prewash, sometimes I don't. If I do, I don't press it before folding. I use starch when I do machine embroidery, sometimes multiple layers to make the batiste or quilting cotton as stiff as a board. That helps a lot with puckers. I don't generally use more Best Press when pressing seams, only if the cotton just needs some extra coaxing.

Be cautious about using starch on items to be stored for a long time without washing. Starch attracts little critters! Best Press and sizing do not.

Pam

I starch prior to cutting. Sometimes I prewash ... sometimes I do not..depending on the final use of the project.

Same here. :) If you starch heavily then you don't have to starch again. I found Best Press a big waste of money. Didn't work for me at all. Not sure how but it softened my fabric instead of giving it more body.

I love best press. It works so much better than starch for me and I love the smell too

So based on the answers, you use starch or sizing when ironing yardage and before cutting. And the benefit is the stability of the fabric when cutting and when sewing. Am I understanding this correctly?