Using Starch
08-24-2010, 12:09 PM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Originally Posted by granniebj
I've never used either. I plan to tho. I was wondering what kind everyone preferred since I have no clue!
08-24-2010, 03:14 PM
#44
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 10,703
Originally Posted by BKrenning
I use both--Magic Sizing on light fabrics and starch on all others and have never had a bug problem since MIL moved out. Her junk food attracted bugs. They all seem to have followed her.
I'm not patient enough to use starch on lights so end up scorching it--even the non-scorching type.
Wool is a different story. It will be eaten very quickly if you don't keep up with the moth crystals or cedar shavings.
I'm not patient enough to use starch on lights so end up scorching it--even the non-scorching type.
Wool is a different story. It will be eaten very quickly if you don't keep up with the moth crystals or cedar shavings.
08-24-2010, 03:29 PM
#45
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,886
Originally Posted by catrancher
Originally Posted by Moonpi
People have been using starch for centuries with no problems. In fact,old table linens that were heavily starched, are generally in better shape than clothing of the same vintage, which was not.
08-25-2010, 09:09 AM
#46
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: England
Posts: 2,365
have never used starch on quilt fabric and would not but have got many many tablecloths/napkins etc that have been blue bagged, starched, ironed and stored for many years in a trunk with no ill effect-------the only problem that I have known with starched fabric is if it gets damp it will mildew badly .
08-25-2010, 07:18 PM
#47
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 14
I have to share this. I completed a 3-day Harriet Hargrave workshop and I'll pass on what she has to say on the subject of starch vs. spray sizing, or Mary Ellen's Best Pressed (my personal favorite until now). She is a well-informed teacher, lecturer and a proponent of cutting all quilting pieces on the grain. About 50 years of quilting, and being a shop owner, teacher/lecturer has proven her method works. To achieve her method, quilters are instructed make a cut at the fold and tear the fabric from the fold to both selveges. Steam press the unfolded fabric absolutely smooth. Then carefully line up the selveges and match the torn edges with an expected fold along the lengthwise grain of the fabric. Now using spray starch, lightly apply and keep these edges together starting at the selvege and easing any excess toward the folded edge with a dry iron. Lightly apply more starch as needed. She told us that starch has an additive that "relaxes the fabric" and no other product has this additive. Using sizing or Best Press is fine after the fabric is straightened, pressing to set seams, etc., though she personally prefers to use only starch. She recommends "Faultless" brand above all others.
I have to tell you that straightening the grain before cutting fabric makes a world of difference in the ease of sewing blocks. I have always relied on using plenty of pins, but I didn't have to use pins hardly at all and my points were fabulous. My 4-patch and 9-patch units were perfect. The seams line up and nest together like gangbusters.
6 members from our local quilt guild took her class and we were all amazed and will follow her method from now on.
Now, I did go to the $ Store this afternoon, and bought 2 cans of Niagara Heavy Duty spray starch for a$1.15, and 2 cans of Magic Spray Sizing because that was the brand they had on the shelves. And I will continue to use the Best Best lavender. I love it, but for straightening fabric, I'll go with Harriet's recommendation and stick with Niagara Heavy Duty.
If any of you ever have an opportunity to take her Freshman Class workshop, check it out. $95 for two 8-hour sessions, plus the purchase of the book, which also included a sandwich bar the first day and chef salads the second day at a local quilt shop. The shop owner provided that lunch as part of the workshop. Harriet lives in a western suburb of Denver. CO. She has a website so anyone interested could check her schedule. It was money well spent.
I've read many of the messages with interest but this is my first time jumping in with any infomation. Please excuse the wordiness of my posting. I'm an enthusiastic supporter of Harriet's method and thought others might be interested.
I have to tell you that straightening the grain before cutting fabric makes a world of difference in the ease of sewing blocks. I have always relied on using plenty of pins, but I didn't have to use pins hardly at all and my points were fabulous. My 4-patch and 9-patch units were perfect. The seams line up and nest together like gangbusters.
6 members from our local quilt guild took her class and we were all amazed and will follow her method from now on.
Now, I did go to the $ Store this afternoon, and bought 2 cans of Niagara Heavy Duty spray starch for a$1.15, and 2 cans of Magic Spray Sizing because that was the brand they had on the shelves. And I will continue to use the Best Best lavender. I love it, but for straightening fabric, I'll go with Harriet's recommendation and stick with Niagara Heavy Duty.
If any of you ever have an opportunity to take her Freshman Class workshop, check it out. $95 for two 8-hour sessions, plus the purchase of the book, which also included a sandwich bar the first day and chef salads the second day at a local quilt shop. The shop owner provided that lunch as part of the workshop. Harriet lives in a western suburb of Denver. CO. She has a website so anyone interested could check her schedule. It was money well spent.
I've read many of the messages with interest but this is my first time jumping in with any infomation. Please excuse the wordiness of my posting. I'm an enthusiastic supporter of Harriet's method and thought others might be interested.
08-26-2010, 03:53 AM
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: In Hiding
Posts: 1,210
Originally Posted by grayladym
I have to share this. I completed a 3-day Harriet Hargrave workshop and I'll pass on what she has to say on the subject of starch vs. spray sizing, or Mary Ellen's Best Pressed (my personal favorite until now). She is a well-informed teacher, lecturer and a proponent of cutting all quilting pieces on the grain. About 50 years of quilting, and being a shop owner, teacher/lecturer has proven her method works. To achieve her method, quilters are instructed make a cut at the fold and tear the fabric from the fold to both selveges. Steam press the unfolded fabric absolutely smooth. Then carefully line up the selveges and match the torn edges with an expected fold along the lengthwise grain of the fabric. Now using spray starch, lightly apply and keep these edges together starting at the selvege and easing any excess toward the folded edge with a dry iron. Lightly apply more starch as needed. She told us that starch has an additive that "relaxes the fabric" and no other product has this additive. Using sizing or Best Press is fine after the fabric is straightened, pressing to set seams, etc., though she personally prefers to use only starch. She recommends "Faultless" brand above all others.
I have to tell you that straightening the grain before cutting fabric makes a world of difference in the ease of sewing blocks. I have always relied on using plenty of pins, but I didn't have to use pins hardly at all and my points were fabulous. My 4-patch and 9-patch units were perfect. The seams line up and nest together like gangbusters.
6 members from our local quilt guild took her class and we were all amazed and will follow her method from now on.
Now, I did go to the $ Store this afternoon, and bought 2 cans of Niagara Heavy Duty spray starch for a$1.15, and 2 cans of Magic Spray Sizing because that was the brand they had on the shelves. And I will continue to use the Best Best lavender. I love it, but for straightening fabric, I'll go with Harriet's recommendation and stick with Niagara Heavy Duty.
If any of you ever have an opportunity to take her Freshman Class workshop, check it out. $95 for two 8-hour sessions, plus the purchase of the book, which also included a sandwich bar the first day and chef salads the second day at a local quilt shop. The shop owner provided that lunch as part of the workshop. Harriet lives in a western suburb of Denver. CO. She has a website so anyone interested could check her schedule. It was money well spent.
I've read many of the messages with interest but this is my first time jumping in with any infomation. Please excuse the wordiness of my posting. I'm an enthusiastic supporter of Harriet's method and thought others might be interested.
I have to tell you that straightening the grain before cutting fabric makes a world of difference in the ease of sewing blocks. I have always relied on using plenty of pins, but I didn't have to use pins hardly at all and my points were fabulous. My 4-patch and 9-patch units were perfect. The seams line up and nest together like gangbusters.
6 members from our local quilt guild took her class and we were all amazed and will follow her method from now on.
Now, I did go to the $ Store this afternoon, and bought 2 cans of Niagara Heavy Duty spray starch for a$1.15, and 2 cans of Magic Spray Sizing because that was the brand they had on the shelves. And I will continue to use the Best Best lavender. I love it, but for straightening fabric, I'll go with Harriet's recommendation and stick with Niagara Heavy Duty.
If any of you ever have an opportunity to take her Freshman Class workshop, check it out. $95 for two 8-hour sessions, plus the purchase of the book, which also included a sandwich bar the first day and chef salads the second day at a local quilt shop. The shop owner provided that lunch as part of the workshop. Harriet lives in a western suburb of Denver. CO. She has a website so anyone interested could check her schedule. It was money well spent.
I've read many of the messages with interest but this is my first time jumping in with any infomation. Please excuse the wordiness of my posting. I'm an enthusiastic supporter of Harriet's method and thought others might be interested.
I'm new too and am just starting to post after lurking for quite a long time. Thank you for your informative post. I also love Mary Ellen's Best Press in lavender!
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