Pressing Your Blocks before assembly to starch or not to starch that is the question.

LadyRags · Post by **LadyRags** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:27 am

I am working on a UFO ... a complex pattern that is basically square in a square sashed next to half square triangles. I started the project two years ago and it has lived in a box til yesterday when I took it out and started working on it again. There are a lot of workmanship issue that I had to solve along the way since I took classes and actually improved my piecing technique. I am now ready to square up all the blocks to the correct size. I do not know how but all the blocks got limp and slightly frayed just laying around in the box. I know I had pressed the blocks at each stage of construction but you sure would not believe it looking at these wimpy little blocks. ( I USED QUILT SHOP QUALITY FABRIC.) The problem is in the ironing techniques.

My question is should I re- starch the blocks when I press them prior to squaring the blocks and sashing them?

Should I starch the block prior to assembly into rows.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK...

SFOQuilter · Post by **SFOQuilter** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:02 am

It does sound like you've been attacked by the bias devils. Yes, I would starch each block BEFORE squaring up and then sewing into strips. It helps a lot. I am in the middle of doing that right now with triangle blocks I am cutting from strip sets. Hope that helps.

Michelle

cindyg · Post by **cindyg** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:35 am

I think you should starch. I starch everything - I like the crisp feel. The starch gives the fabric body. Actually I like to use Mary Ellen's Best Press starch alternative - it smells luscious and does not leave a white residue on the fabric. It's a little pricey is the only drawback.

petlover · Post by **petlover** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:24 pm

starch is great! Give it a good starching & go again.
Linda

IreneF. · Post by **IreneF.** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:39 am

I to like Mary Ellen's Best Press. It smells so nice and works so well. Be careful when you press the blocks not to move the iron around a lot as that can cause your blocks to get wierd. Just press the iron down and move it to another section of the block and the block will look great then you can square it up.

LadyRags · Post by **LadyRags** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:57 pm

This quilt was started several years ago... since I had never taken a quilt class I did not know how to cut the blocks out correctly so yes I have bias everything.

The really bad blocks are being recycled / re cut for a different quilt. I must have hundreds of triangles that are just toooo bad to use as is. I have a second guilt going that I paper piece the triangles to give the blocks stability. That seems to be working. I have promised my DH I would finish some of the projects/ UFO I have been working on before I cut out any more quilts... I keep my UFO stacked in sweater boxes and they are pretty much everywhere.

Right now I have 4 quilts going in different levels of finishing. I rotate the projects so they may all finish at the same time. It depends upon what I feel like doing as to what gets worked on next.

Have a great sewing day , and thanks for your help... Starch will be my new BEST FRIEND on this crazy quilt.

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Pressing Your Blocks before assembly to starch or not to starch that is the question.

Pressing Your Blocks before assembly to starch or not to starch that is the question.

Re: Pressing Your Blocks before assembly to starch or not to starch that is the question.

Re: Pressing Your Blocks before assembly to starch or not to starch that is the question.

Re: Pressing Your Blocks before assembly to starch or not to starch that is the question.

Re: Pressing Your Blocks before assembly to starch or not to starch that is the question.

Re: Pressing Your Blocks before assembly to starch or not to starch that is the question.