I prefer sizing.

Ditto! Best Press or if I have run out, sizing. No starch for the bug attraction reason. Mary Ellen's is rather expensive, but my philosophy is "You get what you pay for." I'll do without something if I have to. Just me.

Once I started using Mary Ellens , I have not used anything else. I hate how others mess up the bottom of my expensive iron. Buy it at Handcocks or on line.

To easily clean the bottom of your iron use a Mr Clean Magic Eraser on a cold iron. Works great.

I was taught, after washing & drying fabric, lay it out flat and then sprinkle. Roll up tightly and place in refrigerator until cold. Use a hot steam iron and a cold roll of fabric.

Place fabric on the ironing board and press using as little starch as needed. Is this right? Cold damp fabric does iron nicely.

Where do you get starch substitute?

You were taught well! Was taught the same thing and it made going into the refrigerator interesting. We put it in the refrigerator if we could not get to it that day to prevent "souring" or maybe mold. If it was going to be longer my mom was known to put it in the freezer...we had an upright.

My mother didn't work while I was growing up and did ironing for a lady that worked with my dad. She did the same thing. She's been gone for six years now and I have her water sprinkler. It's an old 7-up bottle with the cork stopper sprinkle head. It's on the shelf in my sewing room. Brings back a lot of good memories everytime I see it.

I'm glad you started this thread, I've been wondering about starches, sizing ,etc.

Stefanib: Many quilters use starch to make the fabric stiff. This helps make a cleaner and more accurate cut by the blade of the cutter. It also makes fussy cutting more precise.

I love thatMary Ellens. I don't care how much it costs its worth the price. If you can find the refill jugs it helps. My fav quilt fabric shop will refill your spray bottle for a discount price. I really like the stuff , I even use it on some of my blouses. First time I used it I was shopping and I kept thinking a lady sure had a nice perfume on. When I got into my car I realized it was me! LOL My blouse was giving off the wonderful fragrance.