Starch -- and LOTS of it!

16 years ago

I know we have discussed the use of starch on here before and some say yay and others say nay --- but I wanted to put in an EMPHATIC plug for the YAY side.

I have started heavily starching my fabric before piecing and it has made a TREMENDOUS difference for me in how easy it is to do consistent, accurate piecing.

I went so far as to buy some of that liquid starch you can put in the wash and mix that w/ some water in a big spray bottle and I just DOUSE my fabric w/ it over the sink.

IF I think about it when I was the fabric I can put that in the rinse right before the spin and slosh it around and then spin and voila, nice, stiff, manageable fabric.

I also bought some stuff from Quilt-In-A-day that you use instead of starch (it stiffens up the fabrci like starch but no white flakes and smells so sweet...) and I was very pleased with it but it is pretty pricey for the volume I've been using.

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bluebars

16 years ago

Have fun with starch, but please, be sure to wash it out later. Trust me, you do NOT want silverfish. Silverfish can be VERY damaging to textiles, books and wallpaper, and they are next to impossible to get rid of. They feed on starchy substances such as paper, glue and textiles. They eat starch from book bindings (your books start falling apart), wallpaper, textiles, paper on which there is glue or paste, and dry foods. They eat holes in wallpaper to get to the paste, and bite tiny holes in fabrics, including cotton, linen, and silk, even though they cannot digest them. They sometimes also leave a yellowish stain on fabric or book pages. They can easily infest your home, travel through apartment buildings and multiply in damp dark places.

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Comments (41)

Nancy Morris
16 years ago
I like using spray starch when i have bias edges. It does make the fabric easy to work with.
mary_c_gw
16 years ago
Laura,

I'm a huge starch fan, too! I buy Sta-Flo, and mix up the "heavy" recipe on the label. Sometimes I make it even stronger than heavy, LOL.

One of the things I find it most helpful for is the grid method for making half-square triangles. If I need bunches of the same color combination, I moisten each rectangle with starch, smooth them together (right sides together), and then press them dry. Makes it very easy to draw the grid, and very accurate to sew.

I LOVE starch!
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Best starch ever! I think a sprinkler might work better than a spray bottle, which could clog up. I'm not sure about starching cut pieces though. Getting them wet makes them pull too easily, so you'd have to put them on a hard, flat surface to spray and dry in place. Do not iron, though you could press with a hot iron through a cloth. Even a towel underneath could lead to distortion. It would be much better to starch and iron your fabric before you cut. The main problem with really good starch is that it can interfere with your needle movement if you're handpiecing (which is easier for compensating if it is a little pulled out of shape), and can flake out of the fibers, which shows more by machine. Definitely apply the starch to the back so if there is flaking, it won't show much. Some of the modern stabilizers really do work better. Additionally, old fashioned spray sizing can give you a lot of the handling benefit without the hardness. If your fabric is really floppy, though, like lawn, that starch could be a wonder cure. :)
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Through much of my lifetime in a state with a lot of diversity and Chinese inbound immigration, male Chinese immigrants to the US were rarely taller than a few inches over 5 feet. They were noticeably shorter than everyone else. I saw the same on numerous trips to Asia in the 70s. I remember riding on a public bus up to Hakone Lake in Japan for which the space between the seat back and the front of the seat in front of me was too small for my legs to squeeze in so I couldn't sit, but the ceiling of the bus was too low for me to stand upright. All because of the people being short. I remember walking around cities in Japan and also in Hong Kong and feeling like a giant even though I'm just a tad over 6 feet, the locals were short. I remember visits to Spain, Italy and Portugal in the 1970s and wondering why everyone was so short. I suspect I'm much more familiar with all of these cited areas during these years. I had friends when growing up whose families were of Southern European origin. Whose parents (some foreign born) were short. Whose ancestors came here because they were starving. Ever run into a tall Sicilian immigrant in the US in the 50s-80s? I never did. Later generations here are much taller for peoples of all origins than their ancestors who left lands where people were malnourished. Same is true in their home countries too, nutrition has improved and, in the case of China and other parts of SE Asia, fewer famines and starving people. Diets with inadequate calories and so lacking in proper nutrition as to stunt the growth of children and people well into adulthood are not healthier. I'm not going to argue with you, you seem to argue just to argue. Those are my REAL experiences, you can be silly and dispute them as you tend to like to do. Come up with a different explanation and tell me I didn't see what I saw.
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mary_c_gw
16 years ago
I meant to add in the above post - I never buy spray starch in an aerosol can. I used to, but they always clog, and I would lose half the can.

Mixing it up only takes a minute, and I can mix up just what I need.
love2sew
16 years ago
I love starch too...makes quilting life to much better.
Jean
gillian_41
16 years ago
I,m a starch user also and buy the Sta-Flo, think I started using it after the question was posted before and Mary told me about Sta-Flo.
Gillian.
laurainsdca
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, I had the aerosol can clog on me too -- or I dropped one and the nozzle snapped off. That was the end of that full can. Plus I like mixing it super strong.

MARY -- I LOVE that idea for starching the grid fabric together -- I have had trouble with them slipping apart some as sewn, and trying to draw straight lines on fabric that's moving all over under my pen.
biwako_of_abi
16 years ago
I use Sta-flo, too, made up thick, and I iron the seams open, as flat as I can make them. As others have said, it makes piecing much easier.
scootersgirl
16 years ago
I like starch too. I've found it to make machine applique much easier.

I was introduced to Stay-Flo in the Marines. In boot camp when we were getting ready for inspections we would starch our cammies so heavy they would litterally be as stiff as a board. I think we used it straight.
Georgia
sundownr
16 years ago
I've read that bugs love starch (I don't remember which bugs). Be sure to wash anything that you've starched before storing it so the bugs don't eat it. The bugs don't care for the "sizing" spray and it's okay to use and leave in for long storage.
mary_c_gw
16 years ago
You're not going to see bugs (silverfish, if I remember correctly) unless you store things for a very long time, or you store them in cardboard boxes. Silverfish prefer cardboard to starch, but they'll eat either.

That's just not a reason to not use starch. Starch is good.
easystitches
16 years ago
I love starch too.
Someone told me a hint that helps keep the gunk off your iron.
Let the starch soak into the fabric a minute or so before ironing.
Because of that I sometimes don't use it, because it slows me down. Jill
nickisews
16 years ago
I really like the new Best press. It's kind of pricey but it doesn't flake on darks and since it's in a non aerosol spray you don't end up with a skating rink from the over spray. It's starting to become available in gallon refill size as a more affordable option. It's not "starch" exactly but you get similar results. I order it by the case.

Nicki
damascusannie
16 years ago
Nicki--

I hear you about the overspray problem with aerosol cans. I use Sta-flo concentrate, mixed to the strength I want (VERY heavy) and use it in a spray bottle like the Best Press. I don't sweat a bit of flaking on a quilt--it's going to get washed as soon I finish the binding anyway.

Annie
laurainsdca
Original Author
16 years ago
Nicki,
I've definitely "gone skating" with the spray starch! I use the sta flo now too and will squirt the fabric down in the sink or outside with my own pump bottle.

If I have a lot of fabric to starch I'll soak it on the rinse cycle with some then spin it out, dry it a little, then iron. WORKS GREAT!

I was going to start doing that as I prewashed all my fabric. But you guys definitely have me concerned about the silverfish -- not only is my sewing room where all my fabric goes, but it has my library of old books in it too!

So far no problem with silverfish but I have seen one or two in the house a few years ago!!!!
User
16 years ago
Is Sta-Flo available in stores or do you have to order it online?

I use a lot of starch and never knew there was anything other than aerosol cans.

Dianne
bonica
16 years ago
I use Spray'n'Starch in a plastic pump bottle I got at Wal Mart. It "does not clog". It says so right on the bottle!
It doesn't flake or build up on my iron either and knowing me...it musta been cheap.
I like to starch my cut pieces before sewing them. I've never even thot of washer-method starching the whole fabric. Good Grief!!! I like to keep it easy ya know.
Bon
:)
damascusannie
16 years ago
Sta-flo is sold at some of our local grocery stores, otherwise I get it at Walmart. It comes in a two-quart bottle is much, much cheaper than any other form of starch or sizing I've found. If silverfish are a problem in your area, I wouldn't recommend Laura's method of starching a whole piece of fabric unless you know you will be using it all in one project. I starch only as much as I'm going to use at any one time. Bugs aren't a big problem for me and I store most of my fabric in sealed plastic boxes, but better safe than sorry.

Annie
laurainsdca
Original Author
16 years ago
I got 3 jugs of it at Walmart last time -- in the "laundry soap" area.

Bon -- the whole point of putting it IN the rinse with the fabric was that was EASIER than spraying. And spraying. And spraying. But then I like BIG quilts so maybe I'm working with more fabric at once than others.

You guys definitely got my antenna up re the silverfish though because while they're not a big problem out here -- there's no sense leaving bait lying around for them!!!!

I read up on them after seeing the posts in here, and they can be VERY destructive.
damascusannie
16 years ago
laura--it sometimes depends on how you work, too. My quilts are big (I have a California king-size that I have to add borders to when the quilt show is over) but I generally work very scrappy. So I use a lot of fabrics but only a little bit of any one. The Triple Whammy I'm working on will be an over-sized queen by the time it's finished and I quit counting fabrics when I hit 200. So, I might buy a large piece of a fabric, but only use it up over a long period of time.

Annie
biwako_of_abi
16 years ago
I got Sta-Flo at a Vons, I think, but not all Vons markets had it. Now I use a Magic Marker are write on the bottle where I get stuff, in case it isn't carried everywhere.
bonica
16 years ago
Yea that's probably it. I've been doing some scrappy work lately since I've fallen in love with needle-turn and sorting thru all this fabric is leading to a lot more.
Good Grief! After reading all this starchy talk yesterday I sat right down and starched my piece for 16 leaves! I don't know what I was thinking! Starch on the brain I guess. But I'm back here to tell ya...freezer paper don't stick to starch so good!!!!
I use starch mainly for HST's. And it's great for removing creases from fabric that's been shelved for 10 years!
I remember silverfish from when I was a little kid. And now that you mention it..I also remember that my mama starched everything...even sheets and daddy's underwear.
Bon
:)
damascusannie
16 years ago
I use starch for applique all the time. Here's the method:

Make a template the exact size of your motif out of either heat-proof mylar or card stock (business card stock or plain white sheet stock both work well as does uncolored manila folder).

Trace around the motif on the wrong side of the fabric with an ordinary pencil or a colored pencil that will show up. Do NOT use water-soluble or permanent marker! Cut out your motif, adding a scant 1/4' seam allowance.

Now take a paint brush or cotton swap and paint the along the traced line with your starch. I like about a 60-40 blend of concentrated starch to water, but it also works to spray a bit of spray starch into a cup and use that.

Place the template in position on the wrong side of the motif and press the edges over it. You may need to clip tight curves. If you don't get a smooth edge, re-wet with the starch and repress. I was given one of those little Clover irons and it's WONDERFUL for this, but for years I just used my regular iron. Be sure to to shut off the steam if you use a steam iron.

Remove the template and press from the front side and you now have a completely prepped motif that's ready for either hand-applique or quilt-as-you-go applique. The starched edges glue themselves down and it's quite amazing how well they stay in place. The nice thing is that there is no glue involved and the starch doesn't gum up your needles or anything. They'll stay like this for a long time, so you can prep a bunch at a time and be ready to take them on trips where you don't have access to an iron, or like me, want to have bunch ready for a demonstration.

I used this method to prep the leaves for the 'Triple Whammy' quilt and the 'Autumn Leaf' and 'Poplar Leaf' wallhangings at the link below.

Annie

Here is a link that might be useful: Applique
laurainsdca
Original Author
16 years ago
Annie,
I am going to give that a try!!!

I tried that in the past and did not like it as much as using freezer paper to put the design on the front and using glue to fold the fabric away from it. BUT -- that was before I discovered the stay flo, I just had the aerosol can and it made a big mess. I also have a teeny tiny iron now that I could test it on -- I love the glue, it was SO EASY, but it DID gum up my needle when doing machine applique.
damascusannie
16 years ago
Laura--I demo'd this a couple of weeks ago at a quilt show and the ladies couldn't believe how well it works. BTW, I starch my bindings, too. You get a good, crisp fold line, it's easier to put on the quilt, and when you turn it to the back, it lays nice and flat so there's less hand strain. Starch is a necessity in my studio; I bought two more bottles the last time I was in the store. 8^)

Annie
grandmaquilts
16 years ago
Lately I've been machine appliquing frogs for a baby quilt. I've found that if I starch both the background and the applique pieces really well I can stitch them down without using stablizer. It's working out really well and I don't have to tear away anything when I finish.
rosajoe_gw
16 years ago
I starch everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the rinse and starch idea.
Rosa
magothyrivergirl
15 years ago
Sorry to bring this old post up for those of you who are sick of "Starch-Talk", but please explain when you starch if you do not add it to the rinse cycle.
I have been using spray can starch, which I hate - and have only been using it on less stable fabrics. I found I needed to starch & recut a few larger pieces - like 16.5" squares that weren't accurate until after I starched & recut them.
Should I be prewashing - then spraying with a mixture of heavy liquid starch - then cutting? Do you store the mixture in a spray bottle?

Regarding silverfish - we moved into a house 9 years ago that was overrun with silverfish - bluebars is right about not storing anything with starch in your house. The previous owners collected old books & most of the house was wallpapered. I know way more about silverfish then I would like. They also come in from the outside looking for food.

So, please tell me how & when to starch - as you go.
mary_c_gw
15 years ago
Well, it's really all up to you. You can starch everything or nothing, or just the things you think need starch to remain stable.

I don't prewash anymore. I found I liked the differential shrinkage in my quilts.

I don't use starch in a spray can - I find they clog too easily. I buy Sta-Flo starch concentrate in a big blue jug in the laundry aisle. I dilute it the way I want for the particular application.

For example, if I'm making strip sets with stable fabrics, I don't starch. But if I'm going to make a grid of multiple half-square triangles, I dampen both fabrics with the starch and iron them dry together. They will stay together during all the stitching and trimming.

I only starch as much fabric as I need for any one application.

The method I use for multiple half-square triangle is similar to the one in the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Half square triangles
magothyrivergirl
15 years ago
Thank you Mary - that seems simple enough. I will try the grid system for making HST - and to starch & press together - thanks for the link.
I appreciate your quick response.
sewmoody
15 years ago
This is so ironic because I just ran across this article from MarcusFabrics website where Anita Grossman Soloman talks about using starch to keep her 1/4 seams accurate.

http://marcusfabrics.com/features/quilting_experts/index.shtml

Hope this link worked....wanda
toolgranny
15 years ago
I've had teachers swear by it. Many of us wash a quilt at the end to get off the quilting markings so that also clears out the starch and leaves nothing for the silverfish. But it's great to tame fabrics during construction.
mary_c_gw
15 years ago
If anyone here were going to have a problem with silverfish or other pests, it would be me, LOL.

My quilting studio is 1/2 of our 4 car garage. The other half is my DH's shop. You might think we could actually park a car in the garage, but you'd be wrong, LOL.

My large garage door is not sealed up in the way most "garage conversions" are done, because for many years I did upholstery, and it was easier to open the big garage door to bring in furniture.

But it isn't sealed up. Bugs can get in. So can mice. And once a coral snake. My cats keep the mice down, which in turn keeps most snakes away, and I do spray the threshold of the big door occasionally. I vacuum regularly, and I keep most of my fabrics in sealed plastic bins.

But when doing upholstery and then needlepoint finishing, with ~100 bolts of velvets and cottons in the shop, on cardboard tubes - I never saw any silverfish. The occasional scorpion, a tarantula or two, but never the creepy silverfish.
petalpatsy
15 years ago
Pardon me, did you say tarantula?

I prewash, and then use Sta-Flo from a spritzer bottle to iron just prior to cutting. Rotary cutting is MUCH easier, curved pieces don't distort, and the layer of starch serves one of it's original purposes-- dirt (read: quilting marks) washes off easier later.

Pardon me, did you say scorpion????
mary_c_gw
15 years ago
Yep, Patsy, we have both.

Usually they don't bother me unless I bother them, but once they are in the quilt studio - well, all hell breaks loose, LOL. If it is a scorpion, immediate sucked up in the shop vacuum. Then I mark the vacuum, and don't empty it for 10 days. If it is a tarantula, well the DH loves them. He has 10 minutes, no more, to scoop it up and rehome it far, far away from my studio, or into the vacuum it goes.

But I have starched fabric and NO SILVERFISH!!
Rhonda DeButts
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I am making a quilt project that will not be laundered...Will Stay Flow starch be harmful or discolor an applique piece over time since it won't be washed?
glassquilt
3 years ago
Traditional starch is made from plants and can attract insects. Check the label.
biwa45
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Oh, glassquilt, is it really you, from the "old days" even before the shift to TOR? (I was Biwako back then.)

But on subject: I find that my piecing is much more accurate and easy if I spray starch on it before ironing, though since my quilts get washed, I don't worry about bugs. I buy a regular starch and dilute it for the spray bottle.

Like PetalPatsy, my eyes were immediately drawn to the words "scorpion" and "tarantula"! Which, thank heaven, we do not have in So. Cal.! I did hear on the site "Next Door" that someone had seen a scorpion, but I never have in over 23 years. Silverfish, yes, but rarely and only in the kitchen.
biwa45
3 years ago
Can we send personal messages to each other here? If so, then how?
msmeow
3 years ago
Hi, Biwa and Glassquilt! Nice to see you!

Biwa, to send a message, click on the user name. That will take you to the person’s page. If they have messages enabled there will be a Message button in the upper right.

Donna
biwa45
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thanks Donna! I note that my own account doesn't have any such Message button, and I just spent 1/2 hour trying to figure out how to put one there, but to no avail. Can you help?

Starch -- and LOTS of it!

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