Exploring Fabric Starching Options: Unraveling the Benefits for Perfect Quilting

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🛒 PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
Sta-flo Liquid Starch - amzn.to/3mPvCwX
Faultless Spray Starch - amzn.to/3oxSuBp
Magic Quilting & Craft Spray - amzn.to/40pp31K
Mary Ellen’s Best Press Spray - amzn.to/43SaJBO
Soak Smoothing Spray - Flatter - amzn.to/3AlFZeW
Household Rubber Gloves - amzn.to/43Rfmfs
Collapsible Plastic Tub - amzn.to/3N2R8J0
Clothes Drying Rack - amzn.to/41tHvYt
Fine Misting Spray Bottle 17 oz - amzn.to/43WjgU6
Electric Spray Bottle - amzn.to/40xQRB3
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00:00 Introduction
01:29 Why Starch?
02:34 Various Starch Products
08:42 My Process
10:38 Last Tips

[@Carol_Sews]

I believe it’s better to press or iron fabric in the direction of the lengthwise grain, especially when the fabric is damp with water or starch. I noticed that you ironed across the width of the fabric; I have found that ironing or pressing damp fabric width wise causes stretching.

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

Yes you are correct, but I’ve found that if I’m careful with my iron and I’m not stretching or pulling then I don’t have problems. But if you’re going to town with the iron then lengthwise grain only is best 👍 great point

[@PhotoKevin]

I really appreciate this video you have created for various reasons. I love that you tell people to do what they want and encourage them to experiment and come to their own conclusions. I, too, am a Stayflo fan, and work almost exclusively in scraps. I have learned that starching the scraps before cutting...especially when using my Accuquilt Studio, it helps tremendously with the cutting.

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

Oh that is so true!! Thanks for watching and for your comment!!

[@EmmyBeanJewelry]

Wanted to come back and say *thank you!* for this info! For my third quilt, I was going to be using all half-square triangles to make a zig-zag pattern baby quilt. I did the 1:1 ratio of distilled water and StaFlo, and it made such a huge difference in how the fabric behaves. The quilt stitched like a dream, and I'm looking forward to incorporating half-square triangles in future quilts.

[@user-yz3oz8to8w]

I use best press. Love it

[@rosannamize6622]

I use sta-flo I mix almost half in half use a 2 gallon hand held out door multi sprayer sprayer. I do the spray, soak down and let dry method. I like my fabric stiff when I cut out my pieces. I have found that there is good and bad to all ways of starching.

[@teeh917]

This is how I do mine as well. I drench it in starch, let it dry and carefully iron it.

[@thereserioux2178]

Thank you for your very helpful tutorials.

[@deewinston5651]

Thank you. Great tips.

[@stitchinglonestar6362]

I dip my fabrics in diluted Staflo and that’s my preferred method! Thanks for your tips. I will also spray and iron as needed.

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

I do that with yardage usually! Great method! I love Staflo!

[@fransak2723]

Very good info. I too use the sta-flo and mix it at 50%. I have found that if I quickly run the iron over the fabric first to warm it a little, then spay on the starch and let it set ever so briefly to soak in that I seldom get flakes. I usually iron on the back side anyway just in case. I have a grocery outlet near me where I can get the big jug of sta-flo for $1.25. They often have the faultless can at 2 for $1.00. I buy ‘‘em up when I see them.

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

I love it too!! You’re right, even when the fabric is saturated, I’ve noticed that there is less flaking if I iron on the opposite side!

[@carlyelly]

Where is this outlet? 😊 I just paid $7 for Sta-Flo last week. Thx!

[@fransak2723]

@@carlyelly I’m in southern Lancaster County, Pa. We have a local grocery outlet called BB’s they haven’t had any in awhile. It’s very hit or miss.

[@carlyelly]

@@fransak2723 , those are great prices when you can find them. Not much luck with that in Az. Thanks for the reply!

[@suebean3873]

This was very helpful - thank you! Great tips…

[@omisfavorites1054]

Excellent, informative video. Thank you!

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

Thank you so much!!

[@karenbirckhead3101]

A wealth of information!♥️

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

I’m so glad you liked it!!! Thanks for watching!

[@PamelaHolliday-nl9ge]

I didn’t see the link to the spray bottle. Lots of great information.

[@sharonlalli1414]

Great information. I have subscribed. ❤

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

Great, thanks for being here!

[@joannajennings473]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and giving us some good insight! I did a simple test just to see what if any difference there was between best press, flatter, and the homemade starch that I make out of the cheapest bottom shelf rot-gut potato vodka & distilled water…..I took a very very wrinkled fat quarter that I got on sale and wouldn’t be upset if it got messed up, divided it up into sections and sprayed each section with each product-they all worked and felt the same!! To be sure I then carefully divided up one section into thirds so that you could feel then all at the same time and got the same result. Still curious when I was out and about here & there at different fabric shops I asked various project makers and quilters if they could tell a difference and if they could identify which was which-so far no one has! And I also found that the added body has not faded nor have any new wrinkles nor old wrinkles reappeared on any of the treated areas. And no flaking nor discoloration with any of the test products. Unfortunately, I was out of the traditional Purex Sta-Flo liquid, because around here it is getting more difficult to find to add it to my informal test. Lastly, just like with the Purex Sta-Flo starch if you want to add more body/stiffness to your fabric you can simply add a greater ratio of the rot-gut potato vodka to the distilled water. 🤔🤔

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

I have read about making your own starch! I’ve never tried it. Your experiment sounds great! That’s awesome!

[@joannajennings473]

@@sugarstitchesquiltco thank you very much 🤗 I have found that making my own starch with potato vodka is simple and fast-I typically do a 50-50 ratio-pour equal parts in your mister or spray bottle, shake well to mix and viola. And it doesn’t go bad. Although I have never tried it, you can even use it undiluted. One tip is to get the cheapest bottom shelf rot-gut potato vodka you can find. Thanks again and may the rest of your day be blessed.

[@pooie0116]

You mentioned that the smell of (unscented) Mary Ellen's Best Press bothers you, but you didn't mention any reaction to Sta-Flo. I'm extremely sensitive to chemicals, fragrances in particular, and I've been avoiding getting Sta-Flo because it lists fragrance in the ingredients. I understand that everyone has different sensibilities, but I'm curious if the fragrance in Sta-Flo is less detectable to you than Best Press? (or is it more detectable, but not as offensive?) TIA!

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

It actually doesn’t bother me at all. It may make a difference since I dilute it. Everyone is a bit different. Good luck to you!

[@angelah1808]

Wish you had shown the fabrics after the starch process.

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

I’ve got more videos of the process coming! I try to keep my videos shorter so they won’t get too long or boring 😄

[@karenneiman856]

You mentioned that you hang your starched fabrics to dry on your rack and that you also starch and iron while damp. Do you find that you get a build up on your iron when the starch has not dried? Thanks for the comparisons and tips!

[@marydinkel]

Have you used StaFlo in the washer in the final rinse?

[@charlotteamodeo3031]

Does your iron get all messed up and if it does how do you clean it off the iron?

[@thereserioux2178]

I am planning to do a baby's quilt, if I use starch and wash the finished quilt, will the starch be removed completely. I want to avoid any possible allergic reaction.

[@babydollcrafts]

Ledine, when you say you don’t starch precuts, do you mean jelly rolls, layer cakes and charm packs or does that also include fat eights and fat quarters?

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

Just jelly rolls, layer cakes and charm packs, starching can stretch the fabric and since those are cut to size they can change in size. BUT if I’m cutting them to a different size (like a charm square to 4.5” then I’ll sometimes starch!) thanks for watching!

[@donnaberry9848]

I have read that pre-starching fabrics makes them more vulnerable to insect/moth damage. I save all my scraps, and not sure all my storage would be moth proof. Have you heard anything about this?

[@MorMorKat]

I have heard that too and put the question out there but haven’t heard the answer. There is so much that is complicated about starching and shrinking, but I think the accuracy is so appealing 🤔😬

[@paulaclark4717]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🧵 Fabric Preparation Introduction - The importance of properly preparing fabric for quilting, - Mention of comparing different fabric preparation methods and products. 01:33 🌾 Benefits of Starching Fabric - Starching fabric adds body and stiffness, making it easier to handle and cut, - Reduces fraying and stretching during piecing, - Helps when working with bias-cut fabrics. 02:43 🛒 Common Types of Starch and Fabric Sprays - Mary Ellen's Best Press: A clear starch with various scents, - Flatter: A smoothing spray for piecing blocks, - Faultless Spray Starch: Provides heavy stiffness for fabric, - Liquid Sta-Flo Starch: Preferred method with a fine mist for starching fabric, - Magic Brand Premium Quilting and Crafting Spray: An alternative to typical starch sprays. 05:13 🍶 Using Liquid Sta-Flo Starch - Mixing Liquid Sta-Flo with distilled water for a fine mist, - Submerging fabric in Liquid Sta-Flo for a stiffer finish, - Tips for avoiding flaking when using Liquid Sta-Flo. 08:44 🚰 Preparing Yardage and Pre-Washing - Starching yardage before cutting to improve fabric structure and accuracy, - Pre-washing fabric depending on the quality and color considerations. Made with HARPA AI

[@nancytate4582]

Would you still starch BEFORE running fabrics through an Accu-Quilt?

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

Yes!!! I love my Accuquilt too! I do starch them before going through it 👍

[@vickimeyer3959]

Is there a reason for using distilled water?

[@joannajennings473]

The biggest reason to use distilled water is that the minerals and other impurities like iron in tap water and/or even some bottled water often will leave unexpected stains or dark spots and on occasion will cause flaking. Distilled water has all of those things removed.

[@sugarstitchesquiltco]

I am in Texas and our tap water is hard, distilled water is just best in my case!

[@vickibauer6107]

All good advice but you ironing method demonstrated here was against the grain and could stretch the fabric. When is that method beneficial? I’ve been using Sta-Flo and water in spray bottles for many years because I can control the the strength. However, I’ve never used that blend in a misting bottle which I agree is an excellent idea. Thank you for the “light bulb moment.”