Do you use starch?

[Margo]

If you've never starched your fabrics before you cut out your pieces, you might want to try it! I find that it really helps tame the bias and prevents the edges from fraying. Even using starch, fabric will still stretch sometimes, but if it's been starched, just a good press with steam will block it back into shape. Just be aware that until it's washed out, the starch will make your quilt really stiff! DUH!

Here is an example. This is my basket border's setting triangles. This area was a little full, but blocking with a shot of steam put it all back in place!



Shucks! I just realized that this second photo is the next basket in the row. Oh well...the same setting triangle is in the picture.



I also like my background to be really stiff when I do machine appliqué, so that gets starched too.

So? Do you starch? What brand do you use? How did you like it? What don't you like about starching your quilt projects?

[Patchworkjill]

Hi Margo, I had not used starch in the past but since a TQS member I have ead the comments from you and others on how helpfull this is, have just finished making a cot quilt with some applique and tried it, it is ever so better using the starch, made a big difference and made sewing so more accurate, so I am now a "converted starcher"

[Zarah]

I use starch (the cheapest you can find) for the background fabric, when I'm doing machine applique. Learned from Annie Smith.
It really helps keeping the shapes as they should be. I cut the background fabric slightly bigger and trim after appliqueing because it can shrink a little with much applique on it.

[betweens]

I use Fabric Sizing rather than starch I find that the fabric is still pliable but keeps it`s shape at the same time. I use it mostly for applique when I am using the no melt template method. I also use the sizing that is in the fabric already, meaning that I don`t wash my fabrics before piecing (I have been very lucky so far with no running) I have made many stack and whack and One Block wonder quilts where the sizing does some in handy with all those diamonds and biased edges.
We Canadians have one problem. They have confiscated all the sizing and we are only able to get it in the USA. I am fortunate that my mother lives near a boarder town and picks some up for me. They say they don`t sell enough here.. they didn`t ask a quilter though. I hear that in Australia they don`t have freezer paper in some areas either...a quilters tools how could they not :!:
They do have some new stuff out that costs a fortune Aunt Somethings spray and I have tried it but still like my fabric sizing better.

Margo seeing the fabric closer on your Ruffled roses is so wonderful. I love that background fabric great movement :!:

[Sewdreamy]

I started using starch a few years ago. I would not want to work without it now. It tames the fabric. Sharon Schamber uses it a lot, and I actually started using it when I was trying to improve my bindings and was following her directions. Now I use it for all the fabric. I use Niagara Heavy from the grocery store. Cheers, BJ

[Sewdreamy]

starch is my friend. my fabric must stand at attention before i'll use it. i buy stay flo by the gallon and only dilute it half and half with water. cheap cheap cheap. my husband thinks i should practice on his shirts. silly man.

becky

[Margo]

Me too, Becky! Sta-Flo is my favorite and I also use it half-and-half. Look for it on the bottom shelf or the very top shelf at Wal-Mart. I've never seen it at eye level where non-quilters would look!

[BethMI]

I, too, mostly prefer Magic Sizing to starch. I LOVE the smell of that stuff!

I do use a lot of spray starch on especially troublesome pieces.

I can't imagine not being able to buy sizing or freezer paper! What is this world coming to??

BethMI

[BethMI]

I've tried sizing...not stiff enough. I've been using sta-flo. I can make it my own strength and it doesn't cost a fortune like some of the others do. I like that. Rather spend my money on fabric! :lol: Sandi

[BethMI]

I have tried sta-flow, sizing, and heavy spray starch. I seem to go back to Mary Ellen's Best Press. No sheen on the fabric, no white "dandruff" , and heavy enough to make my fabric stiff. I buy it by the gallon and it lasts me approximately 8-9 months. Some large grocery stores in the Milwaukee area have stopped stocking sizing. Terrina

[quiltbuilder]

I like the Stay-Flo. I like to be able to mix it to the strength I need. I never have good luck with the cans of spray starch. They gum up or something. I just recently tried sizing and did not like it as well. I really don't like the Aunt Becky's. I can do without the fragrances. I recently was putting the blocks together on a group quilt and I could tell when others had used the perfumed sprays. It gives me a headache.

I will stick with Stay Flo. The price is right.

Joann

[eileenkny]

Margo,
I have another question. I tried using the starch method on some appliques I'm doing. Now the turned edges are so hard I can barely get my needle through them. What am I doing wrong? :roll:

[Margo]

Margo,
I have another question. I tried using the starch method on some appliques I'm doing. Now the turned edges are so hard I can barely get my needle through them. What am I doing wrong? :roll:

Eileen, like I said in the very first post here, starch will make your quilt really STIFF! I use both starch and glue for my turned edge machine appliqué, but when I do hand applique, I usually just do needle-turn with prewashed (SOFT!) fabric. Even so, I do use the starch when I make the berries that all of Sue's projects seem to have! :wink: When I sew them on by hand, I just take my time and use a really good thimble to push the needle through the fabric.

You might want to try diluting your starch with water so that it's not quite so concentrated. That's why I really like the Sta-Flo brand, because I can mix it as heavy (or light) as I need it for the project at hand.

[eileenkny]

Thanks, I was afraid you'd say that. lol ops:

[eileenkny]

Another Canadian chiming in here about unavailability. Can you believe I cannot find liquid starch to make my own for the spray bottle?. I have resorted to Mary Ellen's Best but it is pricey. Frustration station!

Diana in British Columbia