it depends on what kind of appliqueing you are doing-
if you are doing needle turn applique- some people actually use a paint brush and stach in a dish and use it to turn under the edges-
if you are doing fusable-raw edge applique- the starch (might) keep the fusable from adhering properly

I starch heavily for machine piecing, but do not loke starch for applique as I do needle turn and need the fabric to be soft.

I've never tried starch on applique but don't think I would like it. If the fabric is stiffer I would think it would be harder to turn under and stitch.

I read this blog and watched the videos this morning. Great information. This will be how I do my applique! Thanks so much.

I've used starch on my applique, and didn't find it any harder to stitch through. I don't use it routinely, mostly because I don't like ironing a lot - too many burned fingers!

Janet

I use a liquid spray starch from the grocery store and it seems to work fine. Starch is definitely a necessity when making "perfect circles!" Side note....highly recommend Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles templates....pricey but worth it if you're making a lot.

Also, I recently tried starching the fabric before cutting out some designs for needle-turn and it did reduce fraying, plus it seemed to help form a crisper edge, too. Do some practice pieces and see what works for you. Good luck!
Karen

I am working on an applique project that I used wax paper as patterns and brushed starch on the seam allowance to turn under then iron. I pull off the wax paper and sew on to the background fabric. When I began this project it was my intention to do needle turn, but I found I am actually doing more of a blind stitch. The fabric is too stiff to turn so I catch a few strands from the under side. It is looking real good but very time consuming.