Do you use starch?
#23
Niagara is the brand I use and have no problems with. The trick with any spray starch is to let it set for a few seconds before ironing to avoid flakes. I just made 168 HST with bias edges that would have been a nightmare to square-up if they had not been starched. Starch today is not the same formula as it was many years ago so there is no need to worry about it drawing bugs.
#24
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
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No, I never use starch. It irritates the heck out of my sinuses, and makes my eyes itch fiercely. I don't think that there is a truly 'flake free' starch in the world. Some may be less prone to flaking, though.
I also have to wash my fabrics before I use them, for the same reason.
I also have to wash my fabrics before I use them, for the same reason.
#25
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 35
Rob, my mom had one of those pop bottle sprinklers! I remember her sprinkling the ironing with water, then whatever she didn't get to got rolled up and put in the fridge in a plastic bag (a few people have mentioned that as well).Wow, that brings back memories.
#27
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,845
I think there is "starch" that is made from a plant based materisl. - and "sizing" that is made from inorganic substances.
I think of using starch/ sizing on fabric in the same way I think of using scaffolding around a building. Once the item is complete, it should be able to stand alone.
If a fabric is too flimsy/thin/limp to use after washing it without bolstering, I don't use it.
I think of using starch/ sizing on fabric in the same way I think of using scaffolding around a building. Once the item is complete, it should be able to stand alone.
If a fabric is too flimsy/thin/limp to use after washing it without bolstering, I don't use it.
#28
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,408
I starch all my fabrics excluding the backings before I cut. I use what we quilters know as "Quilter's Moonshine". I make mine up in a gallon jug and keep it in the fridge down in the sewing room. I use sta flo starch along with the vodka.
Also I just found an old time wooden wringer section off a washer. Mostly all wood. Picked up a galvanized tub to attach the wringer section to so I can wring out my fabrics when I starch. Its tough going when you're starching large pieces of fabrics and I still couldn't wring them out by hand without it dripping all over the place. Now I can use this wringer setup (as soon as I clean and sand it down a little). Will probably make a sock to go over the rollers so not to transfer any marks to the light colored fabrics.
Also I let my fabrics dry completely before I press them. I usually mist them with plain water while I press as it seems to help ease out the wrinkles from wringing them out. With the new wringer setup I shouldn't have so many wrinkles..................hopefully.
Starch is my friend.
Also I just found an old time wooden wringer section off a washer. Mostly all wood. Picked up a galvanized tub to attach the wringer section to so I can wring out my fabrics when I starch. Its tough going when you're starching large pieces of fabrics and I still couldn't wring them out by hand without it dripping all over the place. Now I can use this wringer setup (as soon as I clean and sand it down a little). Will probably make a sock to go over the rollers so not to transfer any marks to the light colored fabrics.
Also I let my fabrics dry completely before I press them. I usually mist them with plain water while I press as it seems to help ease out the wrinkles from wringing them out. With the new wringer setup I shouldn't have so many wrinkles..................hopefully.
Starch is my friend.
Last edited by Snooze2978; 04-16-2016 at 01:40 PM. Reason: additional info
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