To starch or not to starch?
04-14-2019, 02:40 AM
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
Posts: 51,430
I definitely wash - removes all the chemicals from the mfg. process, shrinks anything that will, and shows if the fabric is a bleeder. I rarely starch... if I do, I do it when I'm ready to use the fabric. Starch can attract bugs.
04-14-2019, 02:44 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,571
A pre-washer and starcher here as well. In addition to removing the sizing; checking for bleeding; etc. with pre-washing it also gives me the opportunity to iron and refold the fabric more closely on grain vs how it may be on the bolt.
I use liquid starch mixed at a 50/50 ratio w/water. I prefer the sta-flo brand. Mix up small amounts at a time as I need them. Starch is particularly helpful when dealing with bias edges.
I use liquid starch mixed at a 50/50 ratio w/water. I prefer the sta-flo brand. Mix up small amounts at a time as I need them. Starch is particularly helpful when dealing with bias edges.
04-14-2019, 04:00 AM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
I'm not a pre-washer, I starch as NJ Quilter. I've never had a problem with starched fabrics attracting silverfish, so I think if you have a problem with them, you'll still have them starching or not. I also use homemade "best press".
04-14-2019, 04:30 AM
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,535
I soak and wash all (washable) fabrics and battings before cutting them.
I want to know how the fabric will behave after it has been through the wash.
By the way, I have had at least one bleeder of every color
Also, after measuring hundreds of pieces of fabric before and after washing, (yes I really have! ), I have found that the different pieces do not shrink at the same rate or in the same direction.
I want to know how the fabric will behave after it has been through the wash.
By the way, I have had at least one bleeder of every color
Also, after measuring hundreds of pieces of fabric before and after washing, (yes I really have! ), I have found that the different pieces do not shrink at the same rate or in the same direction.
Last edited by bearisgray; 04-14-2019 at 04:37 AM.
04-14-2019, 04:36 AM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 8,119
I prewash everything except precuts. It puts the fabrics on the straight of grain, removes chemicals, tells me if a dye is going to run and shrinks the fabrics if they are going to shrink. I don't want any surprises after my quilt is finished. I never starch unless I an doing heirloom embroidery. I wash that after I am done. I do not store anything with starch in it.
04-14-2019, 04:39 AM
#8
Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast Georgia, USA
Posts: 9,123
pre-wash most of the time.
always starch.
lots of starch.
makes it easier to cut, line up, and stitch.
always starch.
lots of starch.
makes it easier to cut, line up, and stitch.
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