Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Originally Posted by magpie
Vodka is made by the process of distillation of a fermented substance--often potatoes and rye or wheat grain--and less often, sugar beet molasses. Most vodka was traditionally made from potatoes and corn, but in recent years, most high-quality brands of vodka has been distilled from cereal grains. The potatoes and grains are heated until the starch is released and converted to sugar. Then this substance, called a mash, is fermented and heated to a high temperature to allow distillation to occur. The substance is then distilled multiple times until all of the spirit is extracted. Multiple distillations allow for a higher proof. Water is added at the end of the distillation process to decrease the alcohol content, and then the vodka is ready to be bottled and sold
Read more: How Is Vodka Made? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4574426...#ixzz1819rTKeL |
I make my own starch. In a large bowl or pot, stir 1/2 cup cornstarch into
1 cup of cold water. Stir in boiling water (2 quarts for heavy solution; 4 quarts for medium and 6 quarts for light solution). If you only need a small amount then half or quarter above quantities. Sometimes I add a bit more water for the heavy solution as it gets a bit too thick. You can try and adjust as you wish. When the cornstarch solution is cool, I use a paintbrush to apply it on my fabric (stir the solution often or shake if it's in a spray bottle). Let is soak for at least 30 mins. If I don't have time to iron I just put everything in a ziploc and put it in the fridge for the next day. If it's too wet I roll the fabric in a towel first and iron on the wrong side with a cloth on top so that the starch doesn't stick to my iron. When the heat has absorbed most of the humidity then I continue to iron without the cloth. Hope this helps. By the way, I finally tried Mary Ellen's Best Press. I wasn't too impressed. It's ok for small jobs. I think I'll keep using my cornstarch mixture. :-D |
Originally Posted by eaglebeak1960
Originally Posted by jodimarie
I am not a pre-washer....my choice....but I am a firm believer in using Magic sizing on EVERYTHING before I cut a strip or square. I spray on a pretty good amount onto the peice of fabric that I'm getting ready to cut, not wet but dampish and then hot iron in every direction I care to go. Nothing easy, I use a hot iron and go to town onto that piece of fabric. In 30 years of quilting, I've never had a top shrink more than th 1-2 percent you find after the first washing and drying when finished before using.
I buy Magic sizing at WalMart for less that $1.00 a can and it will last through about 2 quilts. I also use it to press blocks and to press the entire quilt top before starting the sandwiching process. jodi in leavenworth that is what I was/am having a problem with Magic SIzing gummed up everthing. Occasionally I will have a piece of fabric ''stick'' to the board. I just ''peel'' it up, repray and iron again. I use the June Taylor pressing boards and not a big regular ironing board and I do designate one pressing board for ''spray use''. I would guess it lasts about 2 years or so before it is shinny and slick....from all the spray build up but for about 8.00 at JoAnns when quilting notions are half off, I figure that is a small price to pay for the great results that I get from Magic spray sizing. I would NOT quilt with out it and buy a case at a time, so I never fun out!! jodi in leavenworth |
You can drape a sheet or other press cloth over your ironing board before you press. Then spray the fabric and let the sizing or starch soak in a bit. You can even let it dry. Then simply wash the press cloth when you are finished.
I just take off the ironing board cover and wash it when it gets too sticky or dirty. lol You can also clean the iron be ironing over a paper bag or piece of wax paper. Or, you can buy drops to clean the plate of your iron at most stores in the laundry aisle. Or, use the Mary Ellen's. It smells wonderful. |
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Originally Posted by eaglebeak1960
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Use "Mary Ellen's Best Press."
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Ok - as a fairly new quilter I am now wondering when & why I was supposed to be doing this?
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Originally Posted by EasyPeezy
I make my own starch. In a large bowl or pot, stir 1/2 cup cornstarch into
1 cup of cold water. Stir in boiling water (2 quarts for heavy solution; 4 quarts for medium and 6 quarts for light solution). If you only need a small amount then half or quarter above quantities. Sometimes I add a bit more water for the heavy solution as it gets a bit too thick. You can try and adjust as you wish. When the cornstarch solution is cool, I use a paintbrush to apply it on my fabric (stir the solution often or shake if it's in a spray bottle). Let is soak for at least 30 mins. If I don't have time to iron I just put everything in a ziploc and put it in the fridge for the next day. If it's too wet I roll the fabric in a towel first and iron on the wrong side with a cloth on top so that the starch doesn't stick to my iron. When the heat has absorbed most of the humidity then I continue to iron without the cloth. Hope this helps. By the way, I finally tried Mary Ellen's Best Press. I wasn't too impressed. It's ok for small jobs. I think I'll keep using my cornstarch mixture. :-D |
If you let starch or sizing dry into the fabric, you will find that your iron and cover will stay cleaner :D:D:D
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Originally Posted by gale
It seems like that would attract bugs worse than vodka. If you have a bug problem, that is.
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I was told by a quilting teacher to use sizing because starch attracts silver fish. I have not seen any silverfish in years but am afraid to take a chance, don't want little holes in my quilts.
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