using starch
#21
My question is why starch at all? I've never done it but I'm rather a recent, intermitent quilter in recent years and haven't been told to apply starch in any of the lessons or books I have. Should I be starching?
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Starching stabilizes fabric so that you can get more accurate cuts and also piece more accurately (less stretching of the fabric edge). Stiffly starching backing fabric before layering the quilt sandwich prevents tucks and puckers underneath when you machine quilt.
I don't use spray starch because I always seem to scorch it. :oops: I lay fabric on my kitchen island, use a large wal painting brush to "paint" on a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, toss the saturated fabric in the dryer, then iron with steam.
I usually don't starch fabrics for the top because I don't prewash. Fabric comes from the store with some sizing and starch already in it, and I find this is enough to keep me accurate with cutting and piecing. I do prewash and dry flannel fabrics, though, because they shrink so much. Since washing removes all the manufacturer's sizing, I use my starching method above for washed flannel. It makes my flannel piecing very accurate.
I don't use spray starch because I always seem to scorch it. :oops: I lay fabric on my kitchen island, use a large wal painting brush to "paint" on a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, toss the saturated fabric in the dryer, then iron with steam.
I usually don't starch fabrics for the top because I don't prewash. Fabric comes from the store with some sizing and starch already in it, and I find this is enough to keep me accurate with cutting and piecing. I do prewash and dry flannel fabrics, though, because they shrink so much. Since washing removes all the manufacturer's sizing, I use my starching method above for washed flannel. It makes my flannel piecing very accurate.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Alberta
Posts: 308
Originally Posted by kwhite
YES YES YES Starch!!! I spray the fabric and let it set for about 15 mins then lay it out and press it well. The best starch is Mary Ellen's but that is quite pricey. Can Spray starch has always had a tendency to burn for me. I use the starch in a blue gallon jug that you mix 50/50 with water. Starch is absolutely necessary if your fabric is not the best quality. If it is higher quality then starch is still very useful but not as critical IMHO.
#24
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Burtchville, Michigan
Posts: 191
Originally Posted by Margie
Where is Mary Ellen's site?
www.maryellen.com
or you can type into your search area,
Mary Ellen's Best Press
and see what that does for you.
Good Luck.
Bev
BTW-I understand you can get it at Shipshawanna also
#25
Originally Posted by Jackie R
My question is why starch at all? I've never done it but I'm rather a recent, intermitent quilter in recent years and haven't been told to apply starch in any of the lessons or books I have. Should I be starching?
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ridgefield WA
Posts: 7,765
Originally Posted by dlf0122quilting
Niagra Starch has a new liquid in a spray bottle that has a Fresh Linen smell to it and it is comparable to Mary Ellens at only about $1.50 instead of almost $8.00. I use the new Niagra all the time now. You can get it at Walmart or Target or some grocery stores.
#27
I make my own starch. I mix 2 cups of cold water with one tablespoon of corn starch in a spray bottle. I give it a good shake before I spray onto fabric. If I want more stiffness, I add a little more cornstarch. It keeps in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks with no issues.
I spray this onto fabric and let it soak in so the liquid is not sitting on the surface of the fabric then I usually press it when damp. This way the heat from the iron makes steam (much like when you spritz water on fabric before pressing to make steam.) I always spray on the back side of the fabric. I don't have issues with flaking or spotting.
It works as well as the store bought without any of the chemicals or propellants. If I want a light scent, I can add a few drops of essential oils or even a drop of lemon extract.
I spray this onto fabric and let it soak in so the liquid is not sitting on the surface of the fabric then I usually press it when damp. This way the heat from the iron makes steam (much like when you spritz water on fabric before pressing to make steam.) I always spray on the back side of the fabric. I don't have issues with flaking or spotting.
It works as well as the store bought without any of the chemicals or propellants. If I want a light scent, I can add a few drops of essential oils or even a drop of lemon extract.
#29
Originally Posted by tarbender30
Have you ever been to MaryEllen's website? She sells her starch by the gallon too. Right now that is a lot of money for me to spend. I wish I had another quilter who lived close by so we could split the jug, and then it wouldn't seem so expensive. I do love that starch.
Bev
Bev
#30
HI everyone,
I make my own starch. mix 1/2c.cornstarch in 1c. cold water. Then boil water in large pot,remove from heat. Add the cold water mix to: 2qts hot water for heavy starch,4qts hot water for medium starch, 6qts hot water for lite starch.[4c.water=1qt]
I needed lots of starch for cheep so looked on line. Save the extra in your Refer. put in your own sprayer. Or can dip your items/doilies/fabric.As I did doilies for my Quilt.
I make my own starch. mix 1/2c.cornstarch in 1c. cold water. Then boil water in large pot,remove from heat. Add the cold water mix to: 2qts hot water for heavy starch,4qts hot water for medium starch, 6qts hot water for lite starch.[4c.water=1qt]
I needed lots of starch for cheep so looked on line. Save the extra in your Refer. put in your own sprayer. Or can dip your items/doilies/fabric.As I did doilies for my Quilt.
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