Quilt in a Day Forums

I use sizing for fabric I'll use in regular piecing. For a block with lots of bias edges and triangles I use liquid starch. I mix about 1 part water and 1 and 1/2 parts starch. I saturate the fabric in the mixture, wring it out and hang it to dry. I iron it when it's still just slightly damp. The fabric comes out quite stiff. I only tried to hand quilt through it once. Not good!
Sherry

I prefer sizing but will use spray starch for some hard to use pieces for it is more acurate for cutting and piecing. for the garden walk pattern I used a lot of starch.. for the log cabin just sizing.. depends what I am working on.. I find it better to iron after it is dry especially on diagnonal pieces..That is what I do, do what ever works best for you.

In looking for information on the Mary Ellen Best Press (which I intend to try), I also found on the Mary Ellen Tips website that spray starch can be made using 2 cups cold water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Mix well and pour into a spray bottle. It certainly works as well as commercial spray starch but the lavendar Best Press sounds so nice.

http://www.quiltinaday.com/search/defau ... ton=Search

Just go to the link above. QIAD now sells this product.

I love the lavender one. $6.99 is the same price as the LQS here.

Whatever you decide to use, make sure that you let the starch soak into the fabric for a few minutes before you iron. Otherwise, you're just starching your iron!

Here is the recipe for the clear homemade starch. I use a whole tablespoon of cornstarch for max crispness. I also added a couple drops of Butter Rum extract to mine!

Supplies needed:
Cornstarch
water
2 cup measuring cup
1 spray bottle

Dissolve 1 teaspoon or more(depending on amount of stiffness you want) in a few tablespoons of cold water in a heat proof 2-cup measuring container.
Add boiling water to make one cup, stirring constantly. Then add cold water to the 2 cup line. Let cool and use in a spray bottle.

You may have to dilute it a little if it is too thick or builds up white flakes.
Shake before each use.
Discard after a couple of weeks and make a new batch.

I use spray starch when I prewash fabric. I dry the fabric in the dryer but take it out when it is still damp. I spray it all over then role it up and put it in a plastic bag and put the plastic bag in the frige over night. Next day I iron the fabric. It is nice and crisp for cutting. I never starch sewn blocks. I always wash my quilts when they are finished. I like that little puckered look of a washed quilt. I am very pleased with my method. It has worked well for me over the years. I hope this helps you.
Geneva

Oh, I crisp my blocks up real good! LOL I want them stiff as boards so they will sew up straigt as arrows. I wash my quilts too after they are all finished. Lynns don't iron your blocks/pieces, press and lift only. Ironing will distort sewn fabric pieces.

Sometimes I starch, sometimes size. It just depends on the price of the can. I just bought the 'sta-flo' in a bottle that you mix to the strength you want, but have not tried it. I also have bought the Mary Ellen's in lavendar and I love it, but I cannot justify $7.00 for a 16.9 oz bottle and use it as much as I would like. I can go through a sizing can for 2 quilt tops and 2 backing easy (single/double size quilt). Mary Ellen's is great--no flakes, smell terrific, but you need to spray more than with the other stuff to get the same stiffness.

I would rather spend my money on fabric, patterns & notions which will last longer. Starch only lasts until the first wash.

The only way to know if you like using this stuff is to try it. If you don't get the stiffness you like you can always respray and iron.

Sharon V.

I can't tell enough difference in the Mary Ellen's Clear spray starch and the homemade recipe.