To starch or not

[Cathy32078]

We are all adults with our own preferances here and that is what makes us such a great group. I have a love for starch when piecing. When the quilt is completed, it gets washed anyway & the starch gets washed out. Just my preferance. That doesn't mean someone has to do it my way if they hate starched fabric. I found yrs ago that it does help while working on the bias. I also starch my clothes. Most of them. And we do not have silverfish. Maybe the climate you have or the humidity level would cause silverfish? I don't know.

[gardenquilter]

this is a wonderful place to exchange ideas and see how others do things, wouldn't this world be dull if we were all little stepford quilters. I have never done well when some one said I had to do it this way or else, Im ok if they say this way is easier for me give it a try.

on steam I had a quilt I was working on one time it was a little baggie in the center someone suggested I steam the delights out of it I did it cause the fabric to draw up a smidge and wala no more baggie center

oh I love all these little tricks

[ipquilter]

Sewbug--Waterbug is just a nice name for a giant mutated cockroach! The nastiest thing on the planet!! And the scariest!! We have them here in the south. AKA tree roach, and palmetto bug. Here's the good part...they live outside and just wander in once in a while.
Sherry

[qltsbme]

I know of well known professional quilters that starch the liver out of their fabrics when they are working on a quilt that they are going to enter into competition. The starch helps keep the pieces from stretching or distorting. Again, what is good for the goose in quilting isn't necessarily good for the gander. Different things work well for some and not for others.

[Peaches]

Azgal came over with her autograph blocks which are beautiful. She had used starch on them-I was amazed how nice they felt. I rarely use light starch, but after seeing hers I got a can of the heavy stuff and tried it on a block. I did like the results and might consider "prestarching" fabric when working with bias. It did "gunk up" the rotary cutter, but cleaned it with rubbing alchol.
So do you starch the fabric prior to cutting like I tried, or do you starch the finished blocks? I don't think I even want to consider mixing my own!

[cindyg]

Peaches, I lightly spray starch my fabric before cutting. It has never gummed up my rotary cutter. I like the 'body' it puts back in the fabric after washing it.

[Cathy32078]

I use Spray Starch and have never had any trouble with it gunking up a rotary cutter. I like to starch before cutting.

[Peaches]

Good to know the right order to do things in....I'll spray first, then sew!

[cindyg]

Peaches, you do know to iron after spraying the starch, right??

[TheKid]

I use a sizing spray. I feel like I get the same results as the spray starch and it works well with all kinds of materials. It does not flake, make the rotary gummie, nor leave any residue on the iron. Try it. I use the cheapest at Wal Mart. Now, there are a few materials such as Northcutt that never needs a spray. At least I don't think so.