Pennyhal

Ok. I admit it. I'm a failure at ironing starched fabrics. Seems like when I iron fabric before cutting, I must push it off grain, or when the fabric is damp I can't seem to get it to lay flat and straight on the ironing board especailly if all the fabric doesn't fit on top of the ironing board at once. Now this isn't rocket science. I do fine if I starch a block and then iron it, or if I starch a piece after cutting it. But defeats the purpose if starching fabric in the first place. Does anyone else have such a silly problem? How big a fabric piece do you iron at once?

EasyPeezy

A big ironing board would really help. I usually split my fabric by the
yard then starch and press. When I starch I put my fabric in ziploc bags
and keep in the fridge for at least 24 hours...flipping the bags half way
through. That helps distribute the starch evenly. When I'm ready to
press, I remove the fabric and put them on some towels to absorb
the excess starch. When it's damp...then I go ahead and press.
I use a silicone sheet to keep my iron clean. I start in the middle and
work my way out. Press, don't iron back and forth. That's what
distorts the fabric.

Tartan

​I don't starch big pieces of fabric. I rough cut off a section, starch that section and then cut my pieces. It wastes a little but much easier to starch as I need it.

Onebyone

I IRON and starch the devil out of my fabric before cutting. I don't care what happens to the fabric before I cut it. I want it to not change after I cut it.

quiltingshorttimer

Ditto---cause I square up after iron and before I cut my pieces.

QuiltnLady1

I have a gridded ironing board cover that I use when starching and ironing fabric pieces before cutting. I line up the edge of the fabric with a line and I can normally get the fabric straight enough for me to be comfortable that I will be cutting on the straight of grain (having migrated from clothing construction, I am fussy about the straight of grain). The ironing goes a bit slower but I have peace of mind.

molly oldham

Spray Starch or Sta-Flo and dip the fabric?

NJ Quilter

I'm another that really doesn't care much what happens during my initial ironing phase. One thing I do make sure to check is that it is folded in half on grain to make sure I don't get the dreaded 'v' when cutting. I leave my yardage in whatever size I buy it (1/3 of a yard to 3 yards or whatever); wash; dry; spray with starch (I use Sta-Flo mixed 1:1). I do let the starch absorb into the fabric for a minute or 2 so I don't get flakes when ironing.

Then I square up the end and start my cutting. Don't seem to have any issues.

toverly

I used to do the exact same thing. A friend pointed out that I was "ironing". She said I needed to think "pressing" not ironing. It has made all the difference. I no longer press things out of line.

romanojg

Ditto, there is a difference in the two. You need to starch, let it soak in and then press, not iron.