Starching little pieces; slick trick
Subscribe
#51
08-22-2025Here's what I do: I put all the little pieces in a zip-log bag and spray the starch into the bag. I close the bag, removing the air, so that the starch gets absorbed into everything. Once everything is wet, I take it out and press it on a sheet covering my ironing board.
#53
Quote:
Oh my! I hope you didn't think the whole log cabin is 1/2 inch..........they are 1/2 inch strips after seam, so start out at 1 inch wide by 1 and 1/2 inch long and then longer ones. Still the smallest pieces were giving me fits and there were so many places the cabins meet point to point. I am new to quilting (this is my third quilt (second full size) so I may not have described too well.Yes, the wax makes the iron glide nicely; as other posters noted many people have done this for years and also used on sleds and slides to make them go faster. Thanks for reading and reply!Originally Posted by diamondee
I don' t know about wax for an iron, does it work like a polish so it glides over the fabric? what got me is the 1/2 inch log cabins. WOW
#55
katesnanna , 10-29-2012 08:12 PM
Super Member
Antylu, I love this tip and it came at the right time. When I have finished the two quilts I'm working on I intend to make DH a red and white Courthouse Steps quilt. Red and White are the colours of his football team here in Aussie land.
#56
wax paper was the thing to use on older irons if they snagged or stuck . this was a tip I learned from my grand mother.Never had a problem with the wax Forgot i knew that
#57
Quote:
Also - I believe the only major difference between Best Press and regular spray starch is that Best Press has surfactants that help it absorb into the fabric faster. It still contains starch. I use non-aerosol Niagra spray starch and have found that if I simply let it soak into the fabric for a minute or two, I don't get any scorching or flakes.
Wow! Peckish, I had occasion this morning to try the wax paper on the light bulb before screwing in; it almost twirled itself in!!! I am impressed, thanks for that great tip!Originally Posted by Peckish
Wax paper also works great for lubricating light bulbs, makes them easier to twist into the lamp. I've always liked to use parchment for ironing.Also - I believe the only major difference between Best Press and regular spray starch is that Best Press has surfactants that help it absorb into the fabric faster. It still contains starch. I use non-aerosol Niagra spray starch and have found that if I simply let it soak into the fabric for a minute or two, I don't get any scorching or flakes.
#59
Quote:
any pro or con advice on irons with shiny steel ironing surface versus non-stick ??
This is just my guess, but I don't think the non-stick irons have quite as much problem with the stickiness buildup as the stainless ones, mine is no-stick but I still do use the wax paper treatment.Originally Posted by postal packin' mama
QUESTION: any pro or con advice on irons with shiny steel ironing surface versus non-stick ??
#60
Quote:
Originally Posted by antylu
Wow! Peckish, I had occasion this morning to try the wax paper on the light bulb before screwing in; it almost twirled itself in!!! I am impressed, thanks for that great tip!
I learned that trick years ago when I worked at a clothing store. We rubbed wax paper on all the metal fixtures that the clothes hung on, which made the hangers slide easily. Drives me crazy now when I shop and the hangers don't slide, makes me want to wax them! lol.