How to Starch Fabric for quilting and sewing projects.. in 2024

Hey everyone! Welcome back to my channel! Today, we’re going to talk about how to starch your quilting fabrics and why you might want to do it. I’ll share my personal starching method, show you how to make your own starch at home, and guide you through the setup for drying your fabrics. Starching can make a big difference in the precision and ease of your quilting, so let’s dive in and get your fabrics perfectly prepped!
-Kelly
Daily Deal Websites: Websites like Green Fairy, Fat Quarter Shop, Connecting Threads and Missouri Star Quilt Company have daily deals on fabric and quilting supplies.
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Happy Quilting!
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Other tools I use
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Creative Grids Ruler tinyurl.com/Pi...
Juki Sewing Machine tinyurl.com/Pi...
Aurifil Treadh 2021 amzn.to/3Rw0Fdd
Oliso Iron tinyurl.com/Pi...
Hold It Precision Stiletto tinyurl.com/Pi...
Background fabric by the bolt tinyurl.com/Pi...
Other great ppl to check out Erica Arndt at confessions of a homeschooler Pat Sloan, Sherri Mcconnell at a quilting life, Andrea arkansas gal, sew becca, Crystal Heart, Sewjo quilt stitchy things.
@FatQuarterShopTX
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[@pickinstitches]

Do you use starch? If so what is your routuine?

[@Redgrave2801]

Thank you! I've been experimenting also and your recipe has been working for me since StaFlo is no longer available.

[@pickinstitches]

Glad I could help! Im playing with adding some Vodka to it so it lasts longer before use. Ill keep you posted when I land on something! -Kelly

[@amberwilhite776]

I starch. This is exactly what i do as well except i use a pressure garden sprayer to apply my starch! I love this technique!

[@pickinstitches]

What garden sprayer do you use? -Kelly

[@helenpeddycord2241]

@@pickinstitches- Kelly, you can purchase several brands. Mine is by Ace and holds 1 gallon💕🧵

[@beckibostick1262]

Sta-Flo has stopped being made! 😢😢. I contacted the company, but they have taken it out of production. Maybe we can do a social media blast to get it back. Waaah! I want my Sta-Flo!

[@pickinstitches]

I know!!! Boo! Yes let's make them bring it back:)

[@elestehorn4290]

I use cornstarch too to starch my fabrics.

[@pickinstitches]

Its not too hard, I just wish it lasted longer! -Kelly

[@sheilaobrien4459]

Thanks for sharing your "recipe". I starch similar to your technique, I have always put the starch mix in first, and then the fabric, fold in accordion style. I usually mix up about what I think I need. I have not been saving the last bit of leftover. Since I also can no longer find Sta Flo, I will try your recipe. Luckily, I have a few containers left to refill, since I'll be making my own. I may add a dash of vodka, as a preservative, of course! Your videos are great!

[@pickinstitches]

Let me know how the vodka works! I haven't tried it yet.

[@melissareilly7861]

Yes I starch. Thanks for the advice

[@pickinstitches]

Hope it helps!! -Kelly

[@angelsabove-qz4xm]

Yes, I strach. Thank you for showing your recipe. I can't find Purex Sta-Flo anywhere. I would mix 1 part strach to 2 part water. Thanks again

[@pickinstitches]

I was between 40-60% staflow depending on the project. Hope they stock it again, but in the meantime. ;) -Kelly

[@janehollingsworth8108]

Thank you for this helpful process we may need to turn to soon. It has been said that Pyrex is discontinuing the manufacturing of Sta-Flo.

[@pickinstitches]

I heard that too!! So sad:( -Kelly

[@CoalNovah1285]

Thank you 😊

[@pickinstitches]

Of course! -Kelly

[@dturk1385]

Great video! Thank you!❤😊

[@pickinstitches]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching! -Kelly

[@normatulloch376]

I found Sta-Flo at Walmart.

[@pickinstitches]

Buy it all! Company said that they discontinued it.

[@ritawegner9052]

How much shrinkage is there?

[@pickinstitches]

Similar to the Staflow, so quite a bit if you are working with precuts. I generally try to buy a little more fabric just incase or a pattern that has 1/2 inch tolerance, just to be safe. -Kelly

[@imariser1111]

Thank you for this recipe! I starch and I think I may be making my own because the prices on Amazon are actually higher than you mentioned! I used a ratio of 1:3 for Stayflow, would this be similar? I too like some give in the fabric.

[@pickinstitches]

Just to clairfy you used 1 part Staflow to 3 parts water? If that is the case I would try this combo and test it, you might like even more water at the end. Let me know how it works out! -Kelly

[@imariser1111]

@@pickinstitches yes, one part stayflow to 3 parts water. Gives stiffness but also allows for some “give” because, well sometimes you need a little stretch to make that seam line up 😂

[@veronicawhite111]

Thanks for the recipe and the video. How do you handle yardage? Also, how long does the starch last? Thanks

[@pickinstitches]

Shelf life is not great... I'm going to try mixing on some Vodka to help it last a bit longer. I try to use the current mixture in 4-5 days. -Kelly

[@sionawilkie2644]

Do you find with the cornstarch mixture it flakes at all? I’ve always used Best Press but would prefer a stiffer option but read cornstarch can flake?

[@pickinstitches]

Mine has not flaked. If you watch the Speing I've sew along I show how stiff that fabric was before I started. It's like paper. No flaking but I can see it a little on the dark navy. Should be gone once washed though. -Kelly

[@leaannebrummett9159]

Have you tried Quilters Moonshine? A quick google search will bring up the recipe. It last longer without refrigeration due to the Vodka being added to the starch.

[@pickinstitches]

Ive been asking my husband to pick me up some Vodka! I just refuse to go to the liquor store! LOL. -Kelly

[@leaannebrummett9159]

@@pickinstitches We get it at walmart.

[@pickinstitches]

Vodka? Ours has to be in a liquor store. :(

[@leaannebrummett9159]

@@pickinstitches Yep, Indiana lets walmart sell liquor.