When do you starch?

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11-19-2012, 05:24 PM

#11

quiltingnd

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Join Date: Oct 2012

Location: In the barn when possible otherwise sewing.

Posts: 537

Am i suppose to be washing my fabric before I use it? Even fat quarters? No one has said that to me before. Not even in quilt class.

11-19-2012, 05:31 PM

#12

MTS

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Join Date: Nov 2010

Posts: 4,134

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltingnd

Am i suppose to be washing my fabric before I use it? Even fat quarters? No one has said that to me before. Not even in quilt class.

To prewash or not to prewash?

Let me break it down for you.

Half of the quilters do.
And the other half doesn't.

And both halves are convinced of the righteousness of their positions. ;-)

I don't pre-wash.

I'm sure you'll hear from the other contingent in a moment...................................

11-19-2012, 05:44 PM

#13

franc36

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Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Tennessee

Posts: 1,501

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcrow

When I'm ready to use a piece of fabric, I starch it and then iron it, before I cut it up. I use Best Press mostly. Usually when my block is finished I will starch it again. Some might think I overstarch, but it doesn't feel like it. But IMO I always starch the first time I iron a piece of fabric. It makes it keep its shape so much better than non-starching. I also extra re-starch if I'm using bias cuts, i.e. triangles...

Same here. I often starch my fabrics, put them in a zip lock bag overnight, and iron them the next morning before cutting. I love working with crisp fabric. I buy Best Press by the gallon; but I sometimes use a heavy spray starch. I also starch my backing before making a quilt sandwich.

11-19-2012, 06:13 PM

#14

Gigi07

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Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: WNC

Posts: 659

I'm with jcrow... I do the same thing

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcrow

11-19-2012, 06:49 PM

#15

quiltingnd

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Thread Starter

Join Date: Oct 2012

Location: In the barn when possible otherwise sewing.

Posts: 537

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTS

Roflmto! Oh ok.

thanks for summing it up for me.

11-20-2012, 04:44 AM

#16

QuiltnNan

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Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC

Posts: 51,430

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peckish

Sometimes I'll use a paintbrush and "paint" the starch on the fabric to help it soak into my applique pieces faster.

I use a paintbrush when making my paper pieced Dear Jane blocks... works fantastic!

11-20-2012, 05:52 AM

#17

pollyjvan9

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Posts: 3,025

I starch before cutting, and sometimes during construction, or just before squaring up the blocks. Remember to PRESS not IRON.

11-20-2012, 01:13 PM

#18

Jingle

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Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Outside St. Louis

Posts: 38,250

I have made 112 quilts and never starch - anything - anytime. I doubt anyone would be the wiser. Lots do.

11-21-2012, 07:02 AM

#19

jeanharville

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Saratoga, Arkansas

Posts: 1,909

Jingle, I'm glad you posted about not starching. I'm new to quilting and will try both ways. But I know my grandmother didn't starch and her quilts were beautiful.